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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $699,000 3,715 sf, 1.35 Acres, Inground Swimming Pool, Walk to Paint Creek Trail
ROCHESTER HILLS $495,000 2,518 sf, Golf Community, Updated Gourmet Kitchen
ROCHESTER HILLS $485,000 3,584 sf, Meticulous, Open Layout, Finished Walkout LL
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $434,900 1,805 sf, Immaculate Moceri Condo, Finished Walkout LL
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DOWNTOWN07.17
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Problem pesticide will still be used on Michigan crops A pesticide used on thousands of acres of specialty crops in Michigan that was expected to be banned by the EPA due to potential developmental issues in children will remain in use under a decision by the federal department's new administrator, Scott Pruitt.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
10
With the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Accord, Oakland County should show leadership to fulfill the pledges of the agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a clean energy economy.
CRIME LOCATOR
15
A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Rochester and Rochester Hills, presented in map format.
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL
17
Oakland state senator moves closer to SOS campaign; candidates jockeying to fill Kowall legislative seat; back surgery for L. Brooks Patterson; Bouchard may stay as sheriff; the race for U.S. Senate, plus more.
MUNICIPAL
34
Rochester replacing historic preservation ordinance; water, sewer rates increase in Rochester Hills; new trash contract with GFL Environmental; four-story office building on Paint Creek; plus more.
THE COVER The Rochester Opera House building, built in 1890 and refurbished in 1987, at 311 S. Main Street at the corner of Fourth. The building now houses Lytle Pharmacy. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.
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Orion Twp., $384,900. 4 bdrms., 2.5 baths, 3539 sq. ft. Crown molding, hdwd. fl., beautiful trim, 2 fireplaces, open floor plan. Spacious kit. w/granite, lg. island & all appls. Master suite w/18x11 walk-in closet. California closets t/o entire home. Easy access to I75, shopping & schools.
Metamora, $99,900. Last lot left in developed sub of 19 homes. Cul-de-sac lot and very private 6 acre setting. All homes minimum 5 acres, out buildings and horses allowed. Easy access to M-24. All homes $350,000+. Perk test, survey and deed restrictions available. Very beautiful property. Oxford Schools.
)8// 5($/ (67$7( 6(59,&(6 81'(5 21( 522) 0$5.(7,1* 6$/(6 0257*$*(6 7,7/( /$67,1* &/,(17 5(/$7,216+,36
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Bill Clark
SOCIAL LIGHTS
43
Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
50
Our thoughts on the new ordinance to preserve historical buildings in Rochester; and the need for increased sex education to help fight the increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
FACES
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Bill Clark Glenn Geda Jana Kramer
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DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER • ROCHESTER HILLS PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody | Kevin Elliott Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf | Lisa Rose Hook Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar | Joyce Wiswell | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski Carol Barr GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to homes in Rochester, Rochester Hills and parts of Oakland Township. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in Rochester and Rochester Hills. 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 Rochester/Rochester Hills communities. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009. If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes. WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS PREFERRED OAKLAND HOMES
FROM THE PUBLISHER ince arriving in Oakland in the early 1970’s, I have had the good fortune of observing first hand as this county took its rightful place as the economic engine that helped drive the state of Michigan.
S
When I arrived the county was just switching to the county executive form of government in 1974, with election of long-time chairman of the county board of auditors, Dan Murphy, considered by many as one of the founding fathers of Oakland as we know it today. Murphy was a steady and seasoned mechanic as I like to call it, having basically run Oakland for the past 10 years. He fought the necessary legal battles with the county board of commissioners as the first elected county executive in the state to help define the form of government we have now. When Murphy suffered from a stroke in 1992, L. Brooks Paterson took over as county executive. He continued much of the work of Murphy, like expanding the county park systems and establishing the 911 emergency system. But he also brought a certain talent, no doubt honed during his 16 years as county prosecutor, which allowed for a certain bravado which helped propel Oakland County onto a much larger stage as the center of growth in the state, which was lacking in previous years. Over the years I have been a strong supporter of Patterson, with a few exceptions on some issues, like his support of the death penalty, raiding a movie house showing ‘Last Tango In Paris’ or his opposition to the Pontiac school bussing – the issue on which he originally built his name – and more recently his almost blind allegiance to the far right GOP stand on the immigration issue. And, yes, like many others, I cringe at some of this less-than-politically correct statements in recent years. But overall he, along with the team he has assembled, still remains the reason we enjoy a solidly managed county, in good and challenging times. It goes without saying that he has done the county well with his development of such programs as Automation Alley, making Oakland the center of the medical industry, just to name a couple of his efforts that have bolstered the county now and for the future. I also have great respect for Patterson’s willingness to break with party platform on select issues or point out party failings when necessary. I particularly appreciate the fact that Patterson pushed Oakland to the forefront where we can influence public policy far beyond the county borders, be it in Lansing or Washington. Which bring us back on this circuitous route to the point of my message this month – my hope that Patterson will lend his voice and provide leadership on one of the more important issues facing us and the country – global warming. Ever more critical since our current president has decided to withdraw the United States from the Paris Accord. Never mind the agreement was signed by 190 nations that
were willing to cut greenhouse gas emissions and work to create a clean energy economy in the years ahead. Global warming is one of those topics that has all the makings of a litmus test issue for certain factions in the Republican Party. You can believe or lean more toward the position that we can improve and extend the life of our planet. Or you write it off as junk science, at least questionable at best. You might argue that any attempt to reduce the rising temperatures threatens our economy as we know it. The division on this and other environmental issues is nothing new. I can almost hear the debate and occasional derisive comment as a kid about the neighbors across the street who were early supporters of Rachael Carson, marine biologist and environmentalist whose studies on insecticides developed, as an outgrowth of World War II military funding of sciences, have been credited with the the banning of DDT. Also credit her as the author of The Silent Spring, the first longform piece (New Yorker) relative to chemical threats to our health, often viewed as helping fuel the environmental movement in the 1960s that eventually led Richard Nixon to create in 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency. You know, the federal agency the current administration and congressional lapdogs are trying to hamstring and neutralize, if not eliminate. The two camps in those days either insisted, on conclusive evidence, that spraying DDT was a health threat or those who were sufficiently convinced and sought other ways of controlling nature. Much like the debate nowadays. As of June 16, there were 311 mayors in this country, a couple of states and some leading national/international companies who have publicly pledged to honor the Paris Accord’s climate goals. Fifteen Michigan mayors – including those in Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak and Ferndale – have signed on to promise their communities will ignore the shortsighted move of withdrawing from the agreement. Which is where Patterson comes in. Oakland needs to take a leadership role. Show a united front county-wide. Bring the various local community leaders together and find a path for Oakland County to be at the forefront on this critical issue. Who knows – we might find a new business category – clean energy – for potential development in the county. We might even develop a partnership of tri-county leaders willing to address this issue. Without a doubt this would be a fitting part of the legacy for L. Brooks Patterson. But we need action now. David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com
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INCOMING True American ideology When I listen to credible, educated, knowledgeable, seasoned journalists describe the daily business of the Trump administration using words like "extraordinary, stunning, unspeakable, incredible,shocking – well anyone who hasn't been living in a cave, on the moon, eyes closed, hands over ears can easily decipher these characterizations as compelling to say the least.
SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Rochester/Rochester Hills communities. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.
The level of corruption, scandal, deceit and conniving seen in this vile regime is unprecedented in modern times. The evidence is glaringly obvious. And yet, members of the GOP drag their feet, desperately hoping America falls asleep, slip into apathy, frustrated-with-the-system indifference. The Trump disciples, unwavering in their obedient devotion to their messiah, embarrass themselves by existing in denial, ignoring the treachery, ignoring the tyranny, and ultimately defining their baffling worship of a vile, unscrupulous, unprincipled regime. This “Trump Revolution” is a tragic episode for the American culture, society, and our Constitution and democracy. It has divided the populace, perhaps for generations. I, for one, know what side I'm on — the true American idealogy of liberty, equality, tolerant, justice, civil rights and gender rights. David Nowak Rochester Hills
Biased publisher I enjoy reading Downtown newsmagazine. But I agree with Merton Wreford (Incoming/June) that David Hohendorf is a very biased publisher (From The Publisher). Can’t wait until he writes about “Lying” Bill and Hillary Clinton. Don’t hold your breath! Joe Koger Rochester Hills downtownpublications.com
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CRIME LOCATOR
Map key
NORTH
Sexual assault
Robbery
Larceny from vehicle
Drug offenses
Assault
Breaking/entering
Vehicle theft
Arson
Murder
Larceny
Vandalism
These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Rochester and Rochester Hills through June 29, 2017. Placement of codes is approximate.
IWitnessBullying.org
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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column (all sources are kept strictly confidential) which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. GET WELL SOON: We know others will join us in wishing Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson a speedy recovery after back surgery on June 1 in the green mountain state of North Carolina. Word is he had a pretty aggressive surgery to help him get out of the wheelchair he was finding himself bound to more and more, and one Republican said that he is already feeling better. Patterson was seriously injured in an automobile accident on August 10, 2012, at the intersection of Walton and Opdyke in Auburn Hills when another car turned left into Patterson’s car. Patterson was in a coma for several weeks, and was left with debilitating injuries. Following surgery, we hear he is receiving physical therapy treatment regularly, and hoping to be back at work at the Executive Office Building for Oakland County later this summer. Looking forward to seeing Patterson out and about in the near future. HEIR TO THE THRONE: Which leads us to wonder, who might follow the the great and mighty Patterson? Following seven terms in office as Oakland County Executive, he claimed his 2016 race would be his last one. While still early for conjecture about a 2020 race, one thing we know for sure – Republicans will want to keep it all in the family. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that he would definitely consider running for the position – only if L. Brooks Patterson definitely doesn’t run for an incredible eighth wonder term. Otherwise, he’ll stay pat at the sheriff’s position, where he has a national reputation and sits on several national sheriff and law enforcement boards. As for BARNETT whispers that Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan K. Barnett may be being groomed for an appointment or run for the executive, Barnett said he’s currently focused on his job as mayor. Barnett often works with Brooks, who co-chairs Barnett’s Mayor’s Business Council. “Brooks is a good friend, and I appreciate his guidance and friendship in my role as mayor,” Barnett said. As for his interest in the job, Barnett said he, of course, would be interested, but “I’m sure lots of people would be interested.” That includes Oakland County Commissioner Mike Gingell, of Clarkston, who said he has also been in conversations GINGELL with people about the position, including discussions with Brooks himself. Gingell, who will have a dozen years under his belt on the commission next year, including eight as board chairman, praised the county exec and his team. “I think it’s still really early, but it’s pretty humbling to have people mention my name for it.” KISING THE RING: Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel made news of his own at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference in the beginning of June, when he told reporters “there was a better than 50-50 chance that he would run for governor in 2018,” telling The Detroit News, “If I get in, I’m pretty sure I can win the Democratic primary.” That sentiment is not shared by other politicians, however, be they fellow Democrats or Republicans across the aisle. “I don’t know if he will (run), but I’m not hearing positives,” said one Republican. “I don’t HACKEL think that’s happening,” said an Oakland County Democrat, laughing off the speculation. “Hackel likes to hear his name. He just wanted to have the proverbial ring kissed (at Mackinac).” The Democrat also doesn’t believe Hackel would have a lot of traction in the primaries, and lacks statewide name recognition. “I don’t think he’d have a prayer of getting out of the Democratic primary. He’s not a viable candidate outside of Macomb County.” He’s putting his money on attorney Mark Bernstein, who has yet to announce, but has said he is considering it. “Their family (Bernstein Law) runs ads all the time, statewide, on Tiger Baseball. They have crazy name recognition.” No word back by press time from Hackel. downtownpublications.com
TAKING A STAB: Michigan Republicans struggling to regain a hold on the state’s United States Senate seat have successfully courted former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Young Jr. to run for the seat held by incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow (D). Young – a Detroit Country Day School graduate now residing in the Lansing area – was appointed to the state’s top court in 1999 and was last elected in 2010, retired from the court this April, well before his term was set to expire in 2019. Young confirmed in April there was interest from some YOUNG in the GOP in him running for the Senate. Young confirmed at a Republican Party breakfast on June 20 that he was indeed planning to run for the seat. Some party members believe the GOP will now have a viable candidate to challenge Stabenow, who is considered a formidable opponent with more than $4.2 million campaign cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. Republican newcomer Lena Epstein, who co-chaired Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in Michigan, will also be running for the GOP nomination in August 2018. Epstein, a Bloomfield Hills resident who works as the general manager in her family’s business, Vesco Oil – and who has never run for political office – spoke at the annual Oakland County Republican EPSTEIN Lincoln Day Dinner on June 19. One person described the audience’s response as “dismal” and another GOP insider as “a polite audience,” some of who questioned whether Epstein had any chance of winning, and whether voters believe the expectant mother could handle the challenges of a new child and a new Senate seat. “I don’t see her beating Debbie Stabenow,” one said. “Can you see one thing that Debbie has done wrong that people will jump on her for? I think our voting public is smart.” SOS SMOKE SIGNALS: White Lake Republican and term-limited, 15th District State Senator Mike Kowall has formed a committee to run for the Secretary of State position held by fellow Oakland County GOP member Ruth Johnson, who is term-limited as SOS. Kowall sent out the signal that he was running when he formed a committee in mid-May. “It was a sort of soft announcement,” Kowall said. “I am going to run. But I have to get the party nomination. If you’re fortunate enough to get past that, then you can run in the general election. I’ll know in August next year (2018) if I have the nomination, then I only have the balance of August, September and October to campaign. It’s really quick.” Secretary of State candidates don’t file for ballots like traditional candidates – rather they are nominated at party conventions. Kowall has served two terms in the state House of Republicans and is in the midst of his second term in the Senate, where he serves as the Senate Majority Floor Leader, KOWALL a leadership post he got with unanimous support from his caucus. Meanwhile, Johnson, of Holly, has formed her own committee for the 14th District Senate Seat, which covers parts of Oakland and Genesee counties. MUSICAL CHAIRS: Consider Oakland County political couples Crawford and Kowall in Novi and White Lake, respectively, where Republican Hugh Crawford is running for Mike Kowall’s 15th District Senate seat. Crawford was elected in 2014 to the 9th District Oakland County Commission District after being term limited out of his 38th District House seat, which is now held by his wife, Kathy Crawford. Kowall, who is now running for Secretary of State, said his wife, Eileen – who had previously held his House seat (the 44th) and was also elected to the county board of commissioners after being term limited – won’t be running for his seat in the Senate. She’s currently a Lansing lobbyist in addition to being a county commissioner. But there are some other Republicans who have their eye on Kowall’s seat, now that they’re term-limited in the state House, including current White Lake Rep. Jim Runestad (44th District) and West Bloomfield Rep. Klint Kesto (39th District). Meanwhile Tea Party candidate Matt Maddock is expected to run for Runestad’s seat. Former Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marsha Kosmowska is looking at Kesto’s seat.
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Bill Clark our years ago, Bill Clark had reached the pinnacle of his career as president of a prospering automotive supply company, but he resigned in 2014 in order focus on Hope Water Project. “It was one of the hardest things to do,” said Clark, today the executive director of Hope Water Project. “I went from making good money to making no money. I told my wife I resigned. She has been very supportive.” In 2011, Clark was asked to lead the fundraising initiative for the Hope Water Project through Kensington Church in Troy. The nonprofit, currently in the process of expanding and rebranding as Hope Water International, raises funds to install wells in remote regions of Africa that have no access to safe water. “(The people) know the water is bad, but they don’t know what it can do to their family,” Clark said. “Their only options are dirty water or no water.” The organization raises money through marathons, triathlons and cycling events. The events are held at local parks such as Paint Creek Trail, Stony Creek Metro Park and Kensington Metro Park. “What we’ve experienced is that many of our runners, walkers and cyclists haven’t done this before so we offer a base training. It’s a 28-week training program prior to the events.” In 2015, Clark traveled to West Pokot, Kenya, on a life-changing mission trip. He had the opportunity to see how his involvement with Hope Water Project affects the people and their living conditions. “It was very moving,” he said. “I remember seeing a lady (dig for water) in a hole with four or five kids watching. It was the filthiest water I’d ever seen.” Clark asked his translator to ask what the woman was thinking at that moment. She studied Clark’s face and responded, “Don’t be sad. I found water.” “All I could think about was everything she didn’t have, and all she could think about was what she had.” The Hope Water Project accompanies a group of missionaries to Africa annually. They are able to observe the hardships of the families and the benefits of their own contributions. “The (Pokot) women carry 40 pounds of water for four to five miles on their head,” Clark said. “We wanted to know what it felt like, so we did a one-mile water walk. The Pokot women saw us suffering and wanted to help us. They took the water from some of the women (missionaries) and carried it for them.” To date, the organization has raised $3.5 million. Clark’s goal is to ensure all the people of Pokot have clean water by 2030. The Rochester Hills resident is overwhelmed by the impact Hope Water has had on the people of Pokot and the people who participate in the fundraising events at home. “Our initial intent was to change the people of Africa, but we’ve seen a community and life change here as well. At the heart of it, there is a life change that happens in Africa and a life change that happens here.”
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Story: Katey Meisner
Photo: Jean Lannen
SPECIALTY CROPS
PESTICIDE NEW EPA ADMINISTRATION BLOCKS EXPECTED BAN
A pesticide used on thousands of acres of specialty crops in Michigan that was expected to be banned by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to potential developmental issues in children will remain in use under a decision by the federal department's new administrator, Scott Pruitt, but continued debate over the chemical's use has both sides claiming their positions are backed by science. Sold under more than 50 different product names, chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely used insecticides in the world, targeting insects, arachnids and other pests that destroy hundreds of different crops, including apples, cherries and other fruit, corn, onions, nuts and specialty crops. The pesticide is also used to control mosquitos at some golf courses, as well as ants, cockroaches and other pests. Chlorpyrifos was also used for residential pesticide control prior to heavy restrictions imposed by the EPA in 2001 due to concerns about health risks. Additional research since the EPA's 2001 ban on residential use of chlorpyrifos has indicated the pesticide is linked to developmental delays in children, including autism, attention deficit disorders and decreased or delayed cognitive ability. While federal law requires the EPA to consider a pesticide's risk to children when reauthorizing the use of each pesticide registered with the agency on a 15-year basis, health and environmental advocates say the EPA ignored such evidence when its new administrator reversed the agency's previous decision in 2015 to ban the use of chlorpyrifos for agricultural use.
BY KEVIN ELLIOTT
Praised by those in the farming and pesticide industry who are in favor of more relaxed regulations, the move has been dubbed a return to "sound science" by the new EPA under the Trump administration, and serves as an example of how science has become a politicized issue in the country's regulation system that pits those helping to feed the population against those in the public health realm who are trying to protect it. In Michigan, pesticide applicators purchased about 3,387 pounds of chlorpyrifos in 2013, 2014 and 2015 across the state, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Its a widely used organophosphate that is in many farmers' toolboxes," said Kevin Robson, horticultural specialist with the Michigan Farm Bureau, who focuses on specialty crops in the state, such as apples, cherries, onions, cranberries and others. Specialty crops, which also include foods such as turnips, carrots, cabbage, asparagus, and brassica crops, such as broccoli and cauliflower, account for about 159,000 acres of farmland in Michigan. Robson said chlorpyrifos is used as a one-time treatment application for many of those crops. Without the use of the pesticide, he said, growers estimate they could lose 50 to 95 percent of their crops to pests. For instance, onion growers, who use the chemical for protection against a specific onion maggot, say the effect on the industry would be particularly severe, starting at the transplant and seed production stage. Likewise, many asparagus growers use chlorpyrifos as a one-time application prior to harvest to control the invasive cutworm, which the Farm Bureau said would ruin at least 20 percent of their crop if the pesticide was banned from use. "There are some other options, but we in American agriculture like to see the right treatment at the right place and time," Robson said of alternatives to chlorpyrifos. "There are older technologies that are less efficient, and you have to use more to be as effective. At the end of the day, there are some (crops) that don't have alternatives, like onions." Further, the Michigan Farm Bureau and other industry organizations say limitations on the use of chlorpyrifos imposed by the EPA throughout its use, as well as longstanding scientific data have shown chlorpyrifos is safe when used properly. "This has been around since the 1960s and has been tried and tested based on science. All chemicals go through the EPA's review process," Robson said. "For our growers that don't have another option, if the EPA would have revoked all tolerances (banned chlorpyrifos), basically, you wouldn't have onion growers growing onions anymore because it's the only thing that basically works. "Apples growers are utilizing it, but people think they are putting this on the food that our children eat, and that's not true." Apple growers may use chlorpyrifos as a pre-emergent pest control product that is applied just as trees start to bloom. When compared to other pesticides that were used for many years before the EPA banned their uses due to health and environment concerns â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as DDT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Robson points to other chemicals that pose potential risks if used improperly. "Bleach is in every household, and if it's not used correctly it can kill you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it's in every home with every child," he said. "Any chemical can be harmful or fatal if swallowed... when people compare it to DDT, I compare it to bleach or anything that is within reach of a child." Chlorpyrifos belongs to a class of pesticides called organophosphates, which operate by blocking an enzyme that controls what travels between nerve cells. When the enzyme is blocked, the nervous system fails to operate properly and kills the pest. The pesticide is considered a distant cousin to some other organophosphates that have been used as nerve agents, such as sarin and other chemical weapons, albeit far less toxic. For instance, a lethal dose of chlorpyrifos is considered to be between 92 and 276 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, while sarin is toxic at .071 to .285 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Despite the longstanding use of chlorpyrifos, health and environment concerns about the risks of exposure to the pesticide began rising in the late 1990s, and have continued in more recent years. Human health incidents led the EPA in 2001 to ban the use of chlorpyrifos in residential settings. Researchers in the 2000s also started to find an increasing amount of evidence that linked the chemical to severe developmental
issues in children, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other issues. Researchers at the University of California Davis' Department of Public Heath Sciences and the university's Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, in Sacramento, found that mothers who lived less than a mile from agricultural organophosphate pesticide application, particularly chlorpyrifos, during pregnancy had a 60 percent increased risk of having children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A series of studies by researchers at Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health with Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health were influential in the EPA's 2015 decision to ban all uses of chlorpyrifos, which has recently been overturned by the agency's new administration. A 2010 study examined the association between chlorpyrifos exposures and mental and physical impairments in children in low-income areas of New York City neighborhoods in the South Bronx and Northern Manhattan. Chlorpyrifos was commonly used in the neighborhoods until it was banned for household use in 2001. Researchers said their findings indicate high chlorpyrifos exposure, as illustrated in umbilical cord blood at birth, was associated with a 6.5-point decrease in the Psychomotor Development Index score and a 3.3-point decrease in the Mental Development Score in three-year-olds. "Although this pesticide has been banned for residential use in the United States, chloryprifos and other organophosphorus insecticides are still commonly used for a variety of agricultural purposes," said the deputy director for the center, Virginia Rauh, who co-authored the study. Rauh said researchers hoped the study would show the neurotoxicity of the pesticide "under a range of community conditions" and "inform public health professionals and policy-makers about the potential hazards of exposure to this chemical of pregnant women and young children." The EPA in 2011 estimated people consume about .009 micrograms of chlorpyrifos per kilogram of their body weight per day from food residues, while children typically consume more residues, with toddlers taking in about .025 micrograms per kilogram of their body weight per day. Additional ingestions may also occur from drinking water and residue in food handling establishments. The EPA's acceptable daily dose is .3 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day.
The Pesticide Action Network's "What's On My Food" database estimates the percent of crops with specific pesticides on them, and typical amounts. While the database doesn't break down figures by locations or region of the country, it does give some data on domestic versus imported foods, and organic versus traditionally farmed foods. For instance, the database found chlorpyrifos is found in about 35.7 percent of almonds, with a maximum level 4.8 micrograms per 100 grams of the food. The pesticide was found in about 12.4 percent of apples tested in 1999, with an average of 1.1 micrograms per 100 grams of apples and a high level of 54 micrograms. In addition to health risks posed by chlorpyrifos, the pesticide can disrupt aquatic life and other insects, such as bees. Environmental studies indicate the threat to aquatic wildlife is greatest from misapplication of chlorpyrifos. A 2014 study found that exposures from surface water concentrations in the United States decreased after the pesticide's use was restricted in the early 2000s, which included changes in the concentrations and uses of the chemicals during application, as well as the prohibition of domestic sales of the pesticide. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has said the application of chlorpyrifos is highly toxic to honey bees and have a residual hazard for an estimated four to six days. In general, the department advises against applying chlorpyrifos to blooming fruit trees or allowing pesticide drift onto blooming trees or blooming broadleaf weeds in order to prevent bee kills. John Stone, program coordinator for Michigan State University's Pesticide Safety Education Program, said chlorpyrifos residue resides on the skin of most fruit, rather than contaminating the entire food. "Most fruit with a skin, like an apple or cherry, the molecule doesn't
make it through there," he said "It's a contact insecticide, opposed to a systemic one that is absorbed through the plant. And part of the Food Quality Protection Act is how much pesticide can actually be on those fruits." The amount of the pesticide and when it may be applied is spelled out by the type of use or crop receiving the treatment, with restrictions ranging from less than 24 hours for Christmas trees to 365 days prior to harvest for ginseng. Non-food uses include golf courses, industrial sites, greenhouses, nursery production, sod farms and wood products. Additionally, Stone said the university's pesticide safety program works with farmers on overall pest management programs. "We also educate about timing applications for when pest levels reach losses that would be greater than the cost of application," he said. "They don't spray just because a good integrated pest management system is monitoring the system to see if there are pests building up or if you have to take action because you're going to have losses." The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is responsible for registering about 15,500 pesticide products in the state, which includes about 600 that are classified as "restricted use" pesticides. Of those 600, about 59 insecticides registered in Michigan contain chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient. An additional three products containing chlorpyrifos aren't considered to be registered use products, but are products that are used in the industry as an ingredient in other products and wouldn't be used directly by consumers, said Brian Verhougstraete, pesticide registration program specialist with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The restricted use designation requires those working with the product to attain a special certification. Certification is required for the sale, use or purchase of all restricted use pesticides. Stone, with Michigan State University's pesticide program, said the EPA in 1996 made chlorpyrifos a restricted use pesticide. The MDARD said about 3,387 pounds of chlorpyrifos were sold in 2013 through 2015 throughout the state, with 90 pounds sold in Macomb County. There were no sales of chlorpyrifos in Oakland, Livingston or Wayne counties during the same three year period. Data for 2016 and 2017 was not available. Verhougstraete said the amount sold in each county doesn't necessarily mean that amount is being applied in each county. In fact, he said Oakland County has the highest number of commercial pesticide applicators per capita in the state, along with Macomb and Livingston counties. However, the majority of applications are typically made in more rural counties. "That data is for 'sales' of chlorpyrifos and doesn't necessarily equate to use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it's possible that some people bought the product and either didn't use it or used it over the course of several years," he said. "The data also only tells us what county the chlorpyrifos was purchased in, not where it was ultimately used. In other words, it's possible that chlropyrifos that was purchased in Macomb could have been used in another county or that chlorpyrifos purchased in another county was used in Macomb." Pesticide regulations are prescribed by the EPA under the federal Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, commonly referred to as FIFRA. Under the law, the EPA must re-evaluate each pesticide registered with the department on a 15-year basis. Chlorpyrifos was first registered for use in 1965, with its last reauthorization by the EPA under FIFRA completed in 2006.
For public health advocates, the 2006 reauthorization has become an area of contention. The issue, they say, stems from a change in 1996 to the Food Quality Protection Act, which is a part of the FIFRA, and which requires the EPA to consider special protections for infants and youngsters when assessing a pesticide for re-authorization. In 2007, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Pesticide Action Network of North America (PANNA) filed a petition with the EPA asking it to re-evaluate the pesticide's impact in the context of food consumption and request the agency to remove all tolerance levels for the pesticide and effectively ban all uses of chlorpyrifos. Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the EPA's own restrictions and the addition of new research shows the EPA didn't follow the rules properly. "That act said that
the EPA needed to take a closer look at pesticides and how they relate to children," Rotkin-Ellman said. It was about 2001 when the EPA banned chlorpyrifos for use in residential settings, such as sprays and granular products used by exterminators in cracks and crevices, as well as foggers and pest control products. The chemical is, however, permitted to be used in child resistant bait traps for ants and roaches. "Because the literature and the EPA's own studies at the time suggested there's a mismatch, and at very low levels kids are at risk of learning disabilities, the EPA didn't consider that," Rotkin-Ellman said. "That was the main part to our 2007 petition. They left out what the science is pointing to." The petition eventually ended up landing in the federal Ninth Circuit Court, which in 2015 ordered the EPA to respond to the groups' petition, meaning it must either accept or deny the petition's request. The EPA subsequently announced in October it would remove all tolerances of the pesticide.
The decision drew tens of thousands of comments to the EPA, both lauding the decision and rebuking the agency's method used in its revised health assessment, which led to the decision and relied heavily on epidemiological studies that linked chlorpyrifos to health concerns in children. "We support a withdrawal of all uses of chlorpyrifos because the EPA determined over 10 years ago that chlorpyrifos was too dangerous to be used around kids and cancelled all homeowner uses; chlorpyrifos remains one of the most widely used agricultural insecticides in the United States, at over five million pounds applied annually; across the country, rural families, farmworkers and families of farmworkers are regularly exposed to chlorpyrifos, resulting in poisoning incidents each year and medical problems from acute and chronic exposure to this hazardous insecticide; chlorpyrifos is linked to brain and neurodevelopmental damage in children in extensive peer-reviewed studies; and the EPA continues to leave rural children and the children of farmworkers in harmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way because they are exposed to chlorpyrifos through drift, volatilization and take-home exposure from farmworker family members," stated a group of doctors and health professionals in a letter to the EPA. The group included representatives from Physicians for Social Responsibility, Wake Forest University's department of community medicine, the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University of Albany, Clinica Sierra Vista, the University of California, and several others. The decision also drew praise from environmental groups. "We like to give credit where credit is due and the EPA and the services deserve credit for finally putting together a robust process to analyze harms to endangered and threatened species due to pesticide use," the Center for Biological Diversity said in its comments to the EPA. "Endangered species are extremely sensitive to environmental stressors. In fact, exposures that may not have much of an effect on the population of a heathy species could profoundly impact the population of endangered or threatened species. The Endangered Species Act represents the institutionalization of caution â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was enacted to keep species from going extinct, and it has been so successful at this because it unambiguously mandates a precautionary approach." Those opposing the decision, including Dow AgroSciences; CropLife America; the American Farm Bureau Federation; and others, said the decision was based on faulty science that relied on unproven epidemiological studies. Central to the opposition was the inclusion of those studies in the EPA's revised health assessment, which wasn't fully published until after the 2015 announcement. The EPA's health assessment's inclusion of epidemiological studies, rather than its previous use of neurotransmission disruption, was a specific objection. The review, published on November 3, 2016, explained that previous health tolerances for chlorpyrifos relied on risk assessments that measured the estimated amount of chemical exposure to inhibit blood and the body's ability to function correctly. However, the revised health study, which the EPA used to base its planned ban on the pesticide, also relied on evidence from the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Study on pregnant women, which reported an association between fetal cord blood levels of chlorpyrifos and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Based on the total risks, the EPA published a proposed rule on
November 6, 2015 for revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos. While the EPA at that time didn't yet have data for exposure from drinking water, the agency found overall exposure from food was high enough to proceed with the decision.
Exposure from food alone, the EPA's assessment found, is a concern at the 99.9 percentile of exposure to all populations, with the highest risk to children who are one to two years of age. Essentially, the health assessment found the limit of chlorpyrifos in drinking water should be set at zero, after considering the average amount of total exposure to chlorpyrifos from other sources. While indoor residential uses are prohibited, outdoor exposure from chlorpyrifos is still possible. The EPA's assessment stated that exposure to golf courses treated with chlorpyrifos can occur, particularly within the first 24 hours of treatment. "This assessment indicates that all residential post-application exposures are of concern on the day of application; further, all exposure scenarios assessed following aerial and ground mosquitocide applications result in risks of concern," the EPA stated in its review. "Because dietary risk from food exposure alone and from residential exposure along are of concern, it's not possible to calculate DWLOC (Drinking Water Levels Of Comparison)," the EPA assessment stated. "The steady state aggregate of DWLOC is zero after accounting for food and residential exposures." While the EPA's revised health assessment still weighed the risk of chlorpyrifos on the chemical's inhibition of AChE, which is a primary neurotransmitter in the body, the new assessment method also relied heavily on the Columbia University study and others. "In summary, the EPA's assessment is that the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health study, with supporting results from the other two U.S. cohort studies and the seven additional epidemiological studies reviewed in 2015, provides sufficient evidence that there are neurodevelopmental effects occurring at chlorpyrifos exposures below that required for AChE inhibition." Despite the heath assessment, incoming EPA administrator Pruitt in March of this year reversed the agency's decision and rejected the petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Pesticide Action Network. While Pruitt said the EPA would conduct its own analyses with the potential to take further action, no additional considerations are expected to occur prior to the pesticide's next re-evaluation, which is required under FIFRA in 2022. The EPA, in announcing its reversal, said the 2015 ban "relied on certain epidemiological outcomes, whose application is novel and uncertain, to reach its conclusion. Pruitt's decision also signaled that the agency would be moving in a new direction when considering regulations. "We need to provide regulatory certainty to the thousands of American farms that rely on chlorpyrifos, while still protecting human health and the environment," Pruitt said. “By reversing the previous administration's steps to ban one of the most widely used pesticides in the world, we are returning to using sound science in decision-making – rather than predetermined results." Administrator Pruitt in his decision to deny the petition said the public record lays out "serious scientific concerns and substantive process gaps" in the proposal to ban the pesticide. And, that "reliable data, overwhelming in both quantity and quality, contradicts the reliance on – and misapplication of – studies established to end points and conclusions used to rationalize the proposal." The two groups that filed the petition have since appealed the EPA's decision in federal court. Meanwhile, while no states have gone beyond the EPA's regulations and banned chlorpyrifos on their own, seven have submitted legal objections to the EPA's March 29 decision, requesting immediate action to vacate the order and take final action on the EPA's proposed rule to revoke tolerances on the pesticide. Those states include New York, Washington, California, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland and Vermont. With both sides of the issue clinging to scientific evidence to back up their claims, the general public may be left wondering who to believe. "The rhetoric that you're hearing now, what the EPA released and Scott Pruitt said in his letter denying our petition offering no new science
contradicting the EPA's own findings, is that this is 'a return to sound science,’” Rotkin-Ellman said. "What Pruitt said – who I might add, is not a scientist – is that there is uncertainty. And based on that, he said the EPA shouldn't act on a ban approved by the previous administration. In doing so, he didn't cite any specific science." By playing on the uncertainties that are inherent in epidemiological studies, such as those used in the EPA's health assessment of chlorpyrifos, as well as other environmental issues, opponents of tighter regulations and restrictions claim faulty science is at play. However, proponents of stronger regulation say that view ignores strong evidence from studies. “Where we are on pesticides and many other environmental issues is looking at patterns of disease, so that if you understand those patterns you might be able to do something about it," Rotkin-Ellman said. "We don’t intentionally expose disease to people anymore because that's unethical, so we look at diseases and we better understand them and (their) risk factors, and can hopefully show positive results. That has happened with lead in water. That's epidemiology. "For pesticides, you look at animal (testing) literature, which is mostly on rats, and sometimes you don't see it. And there are two different places you can go with that: the public health community says that if we have evidence of effects on animals and humans and it's not lining up, maybe that's because animals and rats aren't the same. That could be why human studies show a connection and animals not as much... The industry argument is that there is something wrong with the epidemiology and that we should basically ignore it."
Raising doubts to discredit epidemiological studies has proven to be one of the most effective ways for industry to avoid regulations, as former Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) David Michaels pointed out in his 2008 book, "Doubt is Their Product: How industry's assault on science threatens your health." The book documents the tobacco industry's tactics to create doubt and controversy over the hazards of smoking, and explains how scientific uncertainty has been used to keep the public confused about asbestos, lead, plastics and other toxic materials in order to disrupt the country's regulatory system by politicizing science. "The question about what kind of science is the backstory argument that is happening," Rotkin-Ellman said. "If you stop anyone on the street and give them evidence of something toxic to their food based on studies, but those studies don't show it in rats, most people are going to be worried about the thing that effects humans. And on that side of the argument, you have doctors and pediatricians and people that worry the most about kids," she said. "The people that oppose that literature are people that represent the industry, by and large. From a parent's perspective, if there's something showing up in children, then we should be doing something about it." Still, the impact of banning one of the most widely used pesticides in the country remains unknown. In addition to the monetary impact it could have on the pesticide and agricultural industries, heavily restricting pesticides such as chlorpyrifos could have on the food supply as more invasive species continue to find their way into the country is a mystery. "Some of the announcements that Pruitt has put out is a flagship and a breath of fresh air for American agriculture and Michigan agriculture," said Robeson with the Michigan Farm Bureau. "In terms of the Pesticide Action Network of North America and the Natural Resources Defense Council, they are petitioning and they are an equal-opportunity petitioner. They want all pesticides gone... You can't feed the world with organic practices alone. There's just no other way."
FACES
Glenn Geda ational pickleball champion Glenn Geda was introduced to pickleball just five years ago and the seasoned athlete has since scooped up two dozen awards. “I was on the track at the OPC (Older Persons’ Commission) in Rochester. I looked down and saw people playing this game in the gym,” Geda said. “I had never even heard about (pickleball) and they were giving out free lessons that day.” Geda became instantly captivated by the game, a sport akin to tennis. He devoted time each day mastering his technique at the OPC and various courts in the area. “It’s actually played on a badminton court,” Geda said. “There’s a net, just like in tennis. You serve and volley back and forth. You use a wiffleball and a paddle that looks like a large ping pong paddle. Unlike tennis, in pickleball, there can be 30 to 40 volleys. It’s harder to blow the ball right past somebody.” Geda was a natural, and he subsequently began competing in the Michigan Senior Olympics (MSO), a non-profit organization formed to promote health and enhance the quality of life of men and women 50years-old and older. In 2013, Geda took home the gold medal in the MSO, qualifying him to compete nationally. Approximately 700 athletes competed in the national pickleball tournament. That year, Geda earned the title of pickleball champion at the National Senior Games. In 2015, he once again won the MSO and took third place at the National Senior Games.
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“(My partner and I) were thrilled. It’s pretty cool to say you won a national championship,” he said. “I’m proud of the fact that I was able to do that. I feel blessed that the good Lord gave me that talent and ability.” Geda has partnered up with various players he met through the sporting activity, but the pickleball partner and supporter he most values is his wife, Michele. “It’s nice when you have a wife who is so supportive,” he said. “We run together and bike together. She plays pickleball with me almost every day.” Geda had been an avid golfer, but pickleball has given him the opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle while spending time with his wife. “To be good at golf, you have to golf a lot. My wife doesn’t golf and I didn’t want to spend a lot of time away from her,” he said. “(Michele) has probably won 15 to 20 (pickleball) tournaments.” The couple lives on a small lake in Rochester Hills. They have four children and eight grandchildren. His grandchildren are a priority in his life. “I give all my medals to my grandkids and they wear them all the time.” The 66-year-old will compete in various tournaments this summer, and he has a deep sense of gratitude for all he has been able to accomplish. “The good Lord has really blessed me with a healthy life, a marvelous wife and beautiful children and grandchildren.” Story: Katey Meisner
Photo: Laurie Tennent
Tom Zibkowski Realty Executives Midwest
586-532-6700 Ex 114
Tom@TomZibkowski.com www.TomZibkowski.com
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Lakefront colonial on a 200' deep lot on Lake St Clair, spectacular waterfront views, , steel sea wall, boat hoist & davit, gourmet island kitchen w/ built-in appliances, large bar area between kitchen & great room, awesome owners suite with his & hers large walk-in closets, luxurious white marble bath & walks out to private balcony overlooking lake, 4 balconies, large brick paver patio with built in gas fireplace, 3 car oversized garage, extensive landscaping, and fenced yard. 37600 Lakeshore Drive, Harrison Twp $1,099,000.
Stunning completely redone 1 1/2 story with finished walkout basement to private yard backing to woods, home is a designer showcase featuring all todays decor & features, huge gourmet island kitchen, all high end finishes throughout, extra deep finished walkout lower level with wet bar, 2-way fireplace, additional bath and walks out to huge brick paver patio; walls of windows overlooking private yard, 8' doors throughout and custom moldings and trim. 4971 Brookside Lane, Washington Twp $929,900
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Custom built 1 1/2 story featuring almost 12,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area w/finished walkout to built-in pool backing to Stony Creek Park, awesome floor plan, beautiful gourmet kitchen plus 2nd galley kitchen on main floor, 4 fireplaces, 5.5-car garage plus covered carport area between garages, 56' x 16' theatre room, game room combination on 2nd floor, 3rd full kitchen in finished walk out, 40' x 20' built-in pool plus hot tub area on very private lot backing to Stony Creek Metro Park, Brazilian cherry & travertine floors throughout home. 61871 Bradbury Run, Washington Twp $2,350,000
Private 12 Acre French Country Manor featuring 12,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area. Featuring terraced patios leading to parterre gardens adjoining built-in swimming pool. Helipad provides convenience to land helicopter in backyard and store in state-of-the-art hangar, entertainers gourmet kitchen, finished walkout features lap pool & gaming areas. 5350 Brewster, Rochester Hills $4,950,000.
Tom@TomZibkowski.com www.TomZibkowski.com
Tom Zibkowski Realty Executives Midwest
586-532-6700 Ex 114
When Experience Counts. Over 4,000 Closed Home Sales Since 1982 ROCHESTER HILLS PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY
THE WHITE HOUSE OF HARSENS ISLAND ON NORTH CHANNEL
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Once in a lifetime opportunity! The White House of Harsens Island!! Spectacular cottage-chic renovated fully furnished 5,100 sq. ft. home on the North Channel. Elevator services all 3 floors, 2 full bath attached carriage house apartment, home was originally built in 1887 and complete renovation done in 2008. 100' of water frontage with dock and sandy beach for swimming, very private back yard, screened in gazebo, this is a great family retreat that is ready for immediate possession. 1250 Circuit, Harsens Island $1,849,000.
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STDS
an exPLoSIVe rISe naTIonaLLy anD In STaTe By LISa BroDy
It’s a dirty little secret – one no one really wants to talk about, but one that is putting our nation’s teens and young adults at risk of chronic pain, infertility, lifelong health issues – and even death. It’s the scourge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which have reached such record heights that experts believe that fully half of the population of those aged 15 to 24, which numbers about 110 million men and women in the United States, are afflicted with chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections, with up to 20 million new infections each year.
And in the last couple of years, health officials have seen a jarring jump in infection rates. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in August 2016, they had their highest numbers in recorded history of chlamydia and gonorrhea. It’s very troubling,” said Mary Anne Mosack, executive director of Ascend in Washington D.C. According to the CDC, in 2016, 70 percent of those aged 15-24 who were sexually active had been infected with gonorrhea; 63 percent had been infected with chlamydia; 49 percent with HPV; 45 percent with genital herpes; 26 percent between 13 and 24 had been infected with HIV; and 20 percent had syphilis. It was the second consecutive year where the CDC reported what they termed “alarming” and “troubling” increases in STDs in America. The CDC reports reflect numbers reported from the year prior. The 2015 report noted that chlamydia hit a record high in 2014 of 1,441,789 cases, or five out of every 1,000 people. It was also a 2.8 percent increase over 2013. Reported gonorrhea cases in 2014 rose to 350,062, which was an increase of 5.1 percent from 2013. But the biggest shock was that primary and secondary syphilis cases had increased 15 percent from the year before, and congenital syphilis increased a full 27.5 percent. In Michigan, syphilis increased by four percent from 2015 to 2016, with a nine percent increase in males diagnosed. More disturbing is that there was an 18 percent increase in males diagnosed with syphilis aged 15 – 24, and a 23 percent increase in men who have sex with men aged 15 – 24, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The CDC explained that syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is divided into stages, primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, with different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. It can cause very serious health complications when left untreated, but is simple to cure with the right treatment. Many, both young and older, straight and gay, were under the misguided – and false – assumption that these STDs were something that had been left in the past. But the past has reared its ugly head, whether because many STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) have little to no symptoms; the pervasiveness of the “hook up” and Tinder culture; to the misguided belief that a condom can always protect them. “Lots of people don’t have symptoms, so they don’t know they have one, and they pass it on,” said Evelyn Van Sloten with Sexual Health and Relationship Education (SHARE) organization, part of Crossroads Care Center, which has educators going into local school districts to augment their health and sex education programs. “Many (infections) are carried on the skin, so just by any kind of touch or stimulation, they pass it (herpes, HPV, some syphilis) on. Plus, many condoms just don’t cover enough area.”
2016 was the second consecutive year of ‘alarming’ increases in STDs. The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) warns that women and girls are biologically more susceptible to contracting an STD, but often experience few or no symptoms when they do get one, where the consequences of leaving it untreated can include infertility, pregnancy complications, cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of HIV transmission. Pregnant women who contract an STD are at higher risk of miscarriage and premature delivery, and can transmit the infection to their baby during pregnancy and birth. Among young adults aged 15-24 and homosexual and bisexual men, who are at greatest risk of STDs, there tends to be a great ignorance of the diseases themselves, and how they can contract them. Couple that with an age group that is more willing to take risks, and there are the ingredients for skyrocketing STD rates. NCSD said that is often because of the emphasis on “abstinence-only-until-marriage education in schools, coupled with a lack of communication on STDs with health providers and parents often leaves young people with little accurate information on STDs and how to protect themselves.” Many have no idea what they have even if they do have a symptom or a sore, signs of an infection. Syphilis is caught via direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex. “A person with primary syphilis generally has a sore or sores at the original site of infection. These sores usually occur on or around the genitals, around the anus, or in or around the mouth,” a CDC fact sheet stated. “These sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless. Symptoms of secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. The signs and symptoms can be mild, and they might not be noticed. During the latent stage, there are no signs or symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems and is usually diagnosed by a doctor with the help of multiple medical tests. It can affect the heart, brain and other organs.” Gonorrhea can affect both men and women, and can cause infections in the genitals, rectum and throat. “It is a very common
infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years,” said the CDC. In Michigan, DHHS showed a 21 percent increase in gonorrhea from 2015 to 2016, with a 12 increase of males diagnosed in gonorrhea between the ages of 15 and 24, and 12 increase of males as a whole. Some men and most women have no symptoms, while others have burning when urinating. Some men will have a white, yellow or green discharge, and/or painful or swollen testicles. For women, it can often be confused as a bladder or vaginal infection as symptoms, if they have any, can include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding between periods. It can be easily treated with medication, although drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing, the CDC said. But if gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent health problems for both sexes, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and long-term pelvic and abdominal pain. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testes, which in rare cases can cause a man to be sterile. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States, the CDC reported in 2015, affecting both men and women, with serious ramifications including permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. Both sexes often experience a lack of symptoms, and need to be tested in order to determine if they have the infection. “We have seen no significant change in chlamydia (from the national figures),” said Jennifer Eisner, public information officer for Michigan DHHS, indicating the rise is similar here in Michigan. “I see a lot of chlamydia and gonorrhea in young women, and chlamydia much more,” said Dr. Renee Horowitz, a Bloomfield Township obstetrician/gynecologist with Michigan Women’s Health in Farmington Hills. “We know there is a rise in syphilis as well, but that is much more among men, both gay and bisexual. All of these diseases, as well as HPV, can have significant consequences to female health, like infertility. “Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and can become septic from a pelvic abscess,” Horowitz continued. “Often a woman doesn’t know she has (an STD) until something bad happens. It can present with pelvic pain and fever, and leads to pelvic inflammatory disease.” Terry Ryan, director of MAC Health program, Matrix Human Services (formerly Michigan AIDS coalition), said that two years ago they added integrated testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis C, which is more AIDs specific. “We have been testing for HIV since 1988, going into bars, clubs and bathhouses,” Ryan said. “Two years ago, we received funding from three foundations to test for sexually
transmitted infection testing in these kinds of venues where those engaging in risky behaviors congregate, and it’s proved successful. “We’re seeing frequent positive testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia – increases in those numbers – but also for syphilis, in the last few years,” Ryan said. “Syphilis is increasing in major urban areas I think, for a combination of reasons. It’s often a co-infection with HIV or chlamydia or gonorrhea. HIV isn’t in the news anymore. We’ve gotten good drugs, but if you’re not using condoms or having multiple sexual partners, you’re still at risk. Younger people don’t have the perspective or fear of HIV today. We still get about 50,000 new HIV cases a year.” Horowitz said she concurs with the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with the CDC, to screen all women for chlamydia and gonorrhea from the time of sexual activity to age 25, “and of course anyone who may be involved in high risk behavior at any age.” Ryan agrees, noting they offer free and confidential testing services at numerous sites and times, including working with Affirmations in Ferndale. Oakland County Health Department has testing services five days a week at two sites. “The CDC’s STD surveillance provides us with a snapshot of what’s happening with chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the U.S.; but it doesn’t tell us why certain trends are occurring,” said Donnica Smalls from the CDC. She said the data tells them, “We know this is the second year in a row that all three reportable STDs have increased substantially; we also know increased rates in recent years have been largely driven by men; and youth aged 15-24, as well as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (or MSM) continue to be at the greatest risk for STDs.” “We have been seeing increases mirroring the statewide trend,” said Dr. Pamela Hackert, M.D. MPH, chief of medical services, Oakland County Health Department, with gonorrhea and chlamydia rates increasing, with a slight dip in syphilis cases. “We saw a significant increase (in syphilis) in 2015 for Oakland County and Michigan, but the preliminary data is looking good for 2016 for Oakland County.” Hackert said the STD rates are highest among young adults in the 15-24 age range because “It’s easy to meet people over social media via dating apps, but also people at that age are going through rapid changes, and that means meeting different people. It’s the availability of dating apps and social media that the rates are so high.” In return, Hackert said that Oakland County Health Department reaches out through social media to educate them of the dangers of STDs. “We also use social media sometimes to discretely contact people, to let them know they should get tested,” she said. “We think that with the advent of social media and access to the internet that young
people would have all of the knowledge and information to make informed decisions,” noted Evelyn Van Sloten of SHARE. Instead, she said, “there’s a void. Kids are still getting pregnant, and kids are at risk for STDs. With the increase in social media, they believe that risky behavior and its consequences won’t happen to them. Further, in any age demographic, a lot of people are naïve to the risks of sexual behavior.” Sharing – and oversharing – on social media, sexting, casual sexual encounters, hooking up, the use of Tinder – all are a part of a culture that de-emphasizes relationships and highlights the carefree sexuality often seen on TV and movies. Imagine watching the bedhopping on “Sex in the City,” and hearing Carrie and Samantha talking about their chlamydia infections, or the guys on “Entourage” discussing having caught syphilis – wouldn’t have been quite as entertaining. But teens often can’t distinguish the difference between television and real life. “In real life, there are consequences, so we talk about consequences. We’re about having all the information. Real life is consequences, and STDs are part of that information,” Van Sloten said. “In this country, 79 million people are infected (with STDs). It translates to 27,397 (infections) every day, and 1,142 every hour. Teens contract a STD every day. It’s important (for teens) to understand the risks of sexual activity. You can’t act on feelings. We’re about teaching to avoid poor judgement calls and to make wise choices.” What is the best way to educate teens and young adults about the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and infections? All educators and advocacy agencies agree that parents and trusted adults are the first line of communications, but in a world with rapidly changing information, they are usually not the only destination. Local school districts provide information through sex education classes, to varying degrees depending upon the district. According to the Michigan Department of Education, by Michigan law, school districts are required to teach about dangerous communicable diseases, including, but not limited to HIV/AIDS, at least once a year at every building level (elementary, middle, high school), but school districts can choose to
teach sex education. If they choose to include that as part of their curriculum, they must have a sex education supervisor and an advisory board, and at least half its members must be parents. In Michigan, instruction in HIV/AIDS and sex education must stress that abstinence from sex is a responsible and effect method of preventing unplanned pregnancies, and is the only way to 100 percent protect from sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS. “The health and well-being of our students is always our top priority. Our health education curriculum, like our general education curriculum, is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to succeed, now and in the future,” said Carrie Lawler, executive director for secondary education at Rochester Community Schools. Rochester Schools bases their school health curriculum on the Michigan Model for Health, Lawler said, which “enables us to address behaviors which may affect a student’s health and well-being with age-appropriate instructional activities.” The first time students are introduced to the subject is in fifth grade, with HIV instruction, with discussion over the definition of HIV and AIDS, and how to protect themselves and others, what it is and how it is transmitted, and the importance of compassion for those who are ill. Then, in twelfth grade, during their reproductive health/human sexuality and HIV/AIDS section, besides learning fertilization, fetal development and birth, students discuss the short-term and long-term consequences of safe, risky and harmful behaviors; “analyze how sexual abstinence is the best, safest, and healthiest choice to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and protect one’s emotional health; and understand that condoms and other contraceptives may reduce the risk of pregnancy and some, but not all, sexually transmitted infections,” said Lori Grein, community relations director for the district. They also learn techniques for refusal, negotiation, and collaboration skills to avoid potentially harmful situations, such as dating violence. Grein said the sexually transmitted infection lessons are taught by the SHARE organization. Birmingham Public Schools also utilize instructors from the SHARE organization, but only for middle school instruction, Van Sloten said. According to Brian Hafner, health and physical education teacher for the Birmingham district, information about STDs are taught in high school to juniors and seniors. Bloomfield Hills Schools high school students have a three-day unit as part of their health curriculum, which is an “abstinencebased unit, emphasizing healthy relationships while identifying the consequences of a teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. (It includes) lifetime learning of birth control methods and the development of a healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery,” said
Shira Good, director, communications and community relations, Bloomfield Hills Schools. As for information regarding STDs, “They are taught the symptoms, and how STIs are diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Students are taught that oral sex is sex, and can cause STIs in the oral area, including cancer from the STIs.” According to Mary Anne Mosack of Ascend, which provides resources and educates policymakers and community stakeholders of the advantages of sexual risk avoidance approach in sex education, “Most people think it’s a ‘Just say no’ program – absolutely not,” she said. “Who thinks standing up in front of kids and saying ‘Just saying no’ is successful? We look at the totality of sexuality, and how it impacts relationships, and healthy and unhealthy relationships, dating violence, sexual assault, pregnancy, STDs, and the emotional consequences.” To educate youth to look at sex and sexuality as a whole in an effort to avoid risky behavior, which can lead to not only unwanted pregnancies but sexually transmitted diseases, is one that is shared across the educational and political spectrum, from Ascend to Planned Parenthood of Michigan to the SHARE organization. “STDs are up – but among sexually active teens. Students are actually having having less sex than they did 25 years ago. We’re making great strides,” said Ascend’s Mosack. “We’re trying to meet these sexually active teens and trying to educate these teens for more than just pregnancy prevention. We want to guide those students into risk-free status.” Noting there is also an uptick in HIV, she said, “It’s very fortunate that we’ve made so many advances, but they think they can just take a pill and they’ll be OK. When AIDS was first presented, it was life-and-death. The commentary is that the threat level of it being life threatening has been diminished, so perhaps they feel less threatened. They then are more willing to participate in risky behavior.” Mosack said that epidemiologists call it risk disinhibition – “’I use a condom almost every time, so I can be risky once in a while.’ Well, we know it only takes one time,” she said. “We’re all susceptible to it when we want to do what we want to do, and it’s part of the natural development for an adolescent – part of how they break away is to be risk takers; but some of them do it to greater degrees than others.” As is required in Michigan, Planned Parenthood of Michigan teaches comprehensive abstinence-based sexuality training, said Ashley Coker, youth programs manager for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. She said they run a peer education program, where high school students go through about 40 hours of training before being tested to prove they understand medically-accurate information. The teens then help educate other teens, in schools or community
repetitive education is lacking in this subject, with lifealtering implications. presentations, and can serve as resources for their peers, Coker said, “providing that education, referrals to testing locations, and other services.” “We are abstinence-based, and provide comprehensive sexuality education that includes abstinence. Then we educate young adults about the importance of STDs information and prevention, and we also encourage testing,” she said. “What we’re seeing as health educators is the number one contraceptive access is to condoms, but the female condom and dental dams are not sold in stores,” she said, both of which can help prevent STDs. “There are levels of difficulty to access, so even where teens are choosing to be responsible, there is difficulty in accessibility.” By law in Michigan, schools are not permitted to provide contraceptives of any kind on any site. She said she believes another reason for the increase in STDs among young adults is that “youth in Michigan are often only receiving sexuality education one time in high school, for a limited time, and in Michigan, the law is we are abstinence-plus,” meaning the individual school district can choose what they can cover, as long as it includes abstinence information. “Some are abstinence only; some are abstinence-plus, meaning there is limited information about condoms and birth control; and some are comprehensive, and include information about consent, LBGTQ issues, etc.” But the lack of repetitive education, which is effective in math, language, science, and every other subject, is lacking in this subject, with its potentially life-altering implications, Coker said. “There is a stigma regarding sexuality education and STDs,” she noted, about testing, education, and behaviors. “As an educator, I try to focus on behaviors, and not on labels.” SHARE’s Van Sloten agrees. “We can provide the information, but we can’t control behavior,” she said. “We provide the information so they can make healthy choices and avoid risk.” Beginning with middle schools, SHARE talks about the rise of poor choices in social
media, the advent of sexting, and invasions of privacy. “Our young people are making poor choices. We talk to middle schoolers to think of themselves as more than just body parts, and to respect themselves,” she said. She said the rise in pornography, and its widespread accessibility on the internet, adds to students’ “disembodied” approach to sex and sexuality, along with a hook-up culture, “that you don’t need to have a relationship today to have sex. We tell them that it’s important to remember that feelings are natural, but acting on it is not.” Coker agreed. “We are hearing more and more about the accessibility of pornography,” she said. “You no longer have to see it on cable, or get it in the mail. It’s right there in the palm of your hand. And pornography tends to portray unrealistic representations of what we believe young people see in sexual situations and that lack conversations about consent, and focuses on dominance, and lacks any focus on relationships.” Both in middle school and high school, SHARE and Planned Parenthood discuss relationships and communication. “We don’t know what relationships are any more. A big part of the SHARE program is talking with other people, about how to share and communicate and how to trust someone worthy of your time,” Van Sloten said. “Relationships are not modeled successfully on TV. I tell kids people on TV sleep around, and you can’t – in real life there are consequences. STDs are part of that.” She recalled the former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop’s warning in the 1980’s that when you slept with someone, you weren’t exposed to just your partner, but to anyone they’d been with in the past. “That’s really it. I tell them, because everything today is instantaneous gratification, you can’t wipe things out like errors on a computer. Our bodies aren’t computers. Some (diseases) are for a lifetime,” Van Sloten said. “If they’re bacterial, yes, they can be cured. But only if you go to a doctor. Some are with you for a lifetime.” All of the educators agree with the CDC and all medical professionals on the importance of being tested regularly for STDs if young adults are sexually active. “There is so much focus on the act, and not on the connection – that’s the sad part, and that’s what they’re acting out, especially in this generation that’s all about texting,” Coker noted. “We have to help teach them to communicate, and in that way, negotiate their safety, and to care about themselves and to protect themselves and then to care about another person and respect the other person. “We need to do a better job of modeling healthy relationships. This is really tough stuff, but it does take everyone to get involved – all the institutions, their peers, and all the adults in their lives, to change these statistics.”
FACES
Jana Kramer ctress and country music sensation, Jana Kramer, was determined to achieve stardom, and the beautiful brunette from Rochester Hills is now a successful actress and award-winning country music star. “I started singing when I was young,” she said. “I was in pageants and I knew I wanted to get into entertainment.” Best known for her portrayal as Alex Dupre on the hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” the Rochester Adams High School 2002 graduate was reluctant to brandish her artistry in high school. “I didn’t do any (acting or singing) in high school,” she said. Yet the midwestern girl who was hesitant to perform locally had no uncertainty about her career goals. Promptly after receiving her high school diploma, Kramer jetted off to Hollywood. “My dad absolutely wanted me to go to my college. My mom was a dreamer,” she said. “But, I was always the person who couldn't live in a bubble. I knew I wanted something bigger and I didn’t want a fallback plan. When you fail and can fall back, you will fall back.” During her rise to fame, the once-starving actress lived in modest apartments with roommates. “We’d have frozen chiquitos and we had the electricity turned off,” she said. “It's takes a very strong, thick-skinned person to succeed in this business.” By 2003, Kramer made a guest appearance on the popular soap opera “All My Children.” Subsequently, her career gained momentum. She made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as “CSI,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “90210,” “Private Practice,’ and “Entourage.” She landed a recurring role on “Friday Night Lights.”
A
In 2009, she got her big break playing Alex Dupre on “One Tree Hill.” The show’s creator was impressed by Kramer’s musicality and incorporated her music into the show. The exposure quickly turned Kramer into a top country music singer. “The song from ‘One Tree Hill’ definitely launched my (singing) career.” “Why Ya Wanna,” the first single from her self-titled debut album, was a smashing success. In 2013, she was named Top Female Artist at the Country Music Awards and has two platinum-selling singles. “It felt great to have done the things I wanted to do,” she said. “I still haven’t made it to the place I want to be. I’d love to be on a regular, long-lasting TV show and a couple movies.” Kramer took a spin in the ballroom on the 23rd season of “Dancing with the Stars.” She and her partner took fourth place. During that time, she shared her story as a domestic abuse survivor who scarcely escaped with her life. She hopes to encourage others to seek help. Michigan is still home to Kramer’s family, and she visits on occasion. “We have a place up in Gaylord where my grandparents live.” The perpetually evolving star continues advancing her career with steadfast resolute, but her young daughter, Jolie, has taken center stage of her heart. “First and foremost, I’m a mom. She’s looking up to me and she needs me. She is the love of my life.” Story: Katey Meisner
MUNICIPAL Updated city historic ordinance proposed By Kevin Elliott
Rochester City Council on Monday, June 26, approved the first reading of an updated historic preservation ordinance that removes caveats in the city's code that deviate from the state's Historic Districts Act. The changes, which remove the city's designation of "landmark properties" and the ability for property owners to voluntarily opt in to a historic district, stemmed from a March 27 vote by council to exclude a residential home from the city's landmark property list at the request of the property owner. Under state law, local historic district ordinances aren't supposed to permit objections from property owners from placing a property in a local historic district. An historic district is a group of areas or properties that contain one or a group of resources that are related by history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture. The ordinance allows the city to stop property owners in a district from certain actions that would significantly alter the historical value of a district. While the state's historic preservation law and the city's ordinance allows property owners to object to being included in an historic district, those objections are to be made on the grounds of the property's historical value. However, the Rochester City Council in March voted 5-2 to exclude a residential property at 1311 N. Main Street from its landmark property list based on objections from property owners and some members of the public who said designation usurped the owner's rights and could create a potential hardship. In excluding the property, councilman Jeffrey Cuthbertson said the council diverted from the city's own ordinance and, as a result, may open the municipality up to litigation from other property owners whose objections were previously denied by council. An attorney for one such property owner suggested in a letter to council that such litigation may prevail because the city's ordinance doesn't mirror the state's act. While Cuthbertson and Rochester City Attorney Jeff Kragt said they didn't agree with the letter, Cuthbertson 34
Rochester Hills water, sewer rates hiked ater and sewer customers in Rochester Hills will see a rate hike in their bills beginning this July under an ordinance amendment approved on Monday, June 5, by city council members. Rochester Chief Financial Officer Joe Snyder said the increases stem from rate changes the city pays for water received from the Great Lakes Water Authority by means of the North Oakland County Water Authority (NOCWA), as well as increases in sewer service provided by the Oakland County Water Resources Commission (OCWRC). He said the increases are considered a "break even" approach to cover water and sewer service paid by the city, which is in turn sold to local customers. Rate increases from NOCWA amount to about four percent, while the sewer increases from the county are about 6.7 percent. The rate schedule also includes a decrease of about 7.7 percent in the customer charge, which includes the cost of servicing customers, meter replacement, billing and collection, meter reading, postage and other services. Overall, typical residential users can expect an increase of about 2.4 percent, or about $3.38 on the average bill. That increase is based on average residential use of about 12 units per bill. Council unanimously approved the increases in the ordinance amendment. The motion followed preliminary approval on Monday, May 15, of rate changes by the council. Snyder at that time said the city's water and sewer technical review committee considered three different rate options, which included a straight pass through of fees; holding rates at current levels; and using a multi-year (smoothing) approach. Based on the committee's review, a multi-year approach was selected to provide stability in water and sewer rates for the next four years. "The fact that we are rolling out a 2.4-percent increase to customers, I think, shows good value," Snyder said at the May meeting, adding that the multi-year increase avoids large spikes and decreases each year.
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recommended the city amend its existing ordinance to mimic the state's act. "The question is, does this matter enough to this community to say that there is a time and place for a historic district ordinance," Cuthbertson said at a June 12 city council meeting, "and the city ought to have one that is closest in keeping with the (state's) local historic districts act because we have seen arguments from clever attorneys that have said, 'this portion of your ordinance doesn't mirror the act,' and we are going to get that on future challenges if we leave this." Kragt presented council members on June 26 with a revised ordinance that removed sections of the city's existing ordinance in order to mirror the state law. The amendment would remove the reference to landmark properties, which are those that the city's historic district committee deemed to have great historical value to the city. If approved, the updated ordinance would thereby dissolve the list of existing landmark properties. Council on Monday, June 26,
voted 6-0 to approve the first reading of the ordinance amendment, with councilman Stuart Bikson absent. The amendment will go before council for consideration of final approval in July.
City-owned parcel set as green space A two-acre plot of city-owned land located between the Clinton River Trail and the Clinton River near Harding Avenue in Rochester Hills will be preserved as green space, under a new designation approved by Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, June 5. The parcel of land, which is located on the south side of the Clinton River Trail, adjacent to the existing Harding green space property owned by the city, is considered a key parcel of land to be preserved by the city due to its position between the trail and river, as well as existing green space owned by the city. Rochester Hills residents in 2005 approved a .3-mill, 10-year millage to acquire and preserve natural green space for the community. City
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council subsequently created a nine-member green space advisory board for the purpose of developing strategies and making recommendations on use of the funds to permanently preserve natural green spaces, wildlife habitats and scenic views; protect woodlands, wetlands, rivers and streams; and expand the Clinton River Greenway and other trail corridors. The advisory board in September of 2016 recommended the city designate the property as green space so it could be maintained along with other green space properties. In 2013, voters approved a ballot proposal to revise the permissible use of green space millage funds to include care and maintenance of pedestrian accessibility to green spaces and natural features owned by the city. However, councilwoman Stephanie Morita questioned whether maintenance and improvements on the land would be restricted under a green space designation. For example, she said public use of the Harding green space property has resulted in some erosion of some natural features, but because green space funds are restricted, some maintenance or improvements can't be done to accommodate more pedestrians. "We could be creating a situation where it's harder to maintain the property than it would be otherwise," she said. Rochester Hills city councilwoman and green space advisory board member Susan Bowyer said the intent of the proposed green space designation is to protect the parcel from other uses by the city in the future. "This is a tiny sliver of property that borders the river, and it's covered with trees," she said. "I would hate to think the parks department could go in there and cut down a lot of trees so they could put a trail there. Because it's on the water, the green space idea was that we would have an abundance of green space against the water to to protect the river, and that we wouldn't put a trail on it." Rochester Hills Parks and Forestry Director Ken Elwert said the land is currently vacant and not used in any function by the city. While he said the city is currently in discussions with an adjacent property owner, he didn't think the green space designation would impact any future plans or the area. 07.17
Rochester Hills changes trash provider By Kevin Elliott
ochester Hills city officials say there won't be any change in waste disposal services when the city's provider changes from Republic Services to GFL Environmental at the end of July. "Residents should notice one change, and that's the color of the truck picking up trash, from blue to green," Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said. The change in waste services comes as Republic, the city's longstanding provider, sold its contracts in the area to GFL, or Green For Life Environmental. "Most folks know we have had a longstanding and excellent relationship with Republic. Council chose that provider in 2009 when we went to a single hauler. By all accounts that program has been wonderful," Barnett said. "A month ago, we got information that there were changes and that due to circumstances outside of our control, Republic was interested in selling its operations in this area." Barnett said the city was notified on May 10 of the potential transaction. Not being familiar with GFL, he said the city immediately engaged the services of a consultant to assist in conducting an extensive vetting process to assist the city in posing the appropriate questions regarding the transaction, evaluating the responses and engaging in a dialogue with the providers to determine the best action. "We don't take this lightly," he said. "We spent a lot of time and energy evaluating this in our office... We want the transition to be smooth," Barnett said. GFL founder and CEO Pat Dovigi said he founded the Canadian-based company about 11 years ago, which has since become one of the leading disposal services in North America. In September 2016, Rizzo Environmental became part of GFL, which had previously been one of the main waste management providers in the area. The acquisition of Rizzo came on the heels of a federal criminal investigation involving Chuck Rizzo and a municipal bribery scandal surrounding his former business, Rizzo Environmental Services. Rochester Hills councilwoman Stephanie Morita at the meeting brought up the news about Rizzo and asked Dovigi what personnel and process changes and other protections have been put in place at GFL to ensure that issues won't arise in Rochester Hills. Dovigi said GFL has strict anti-bribery policies that apply to all 4,700 employees. "It is unfortunate, and it's embarrassing to us as a company, as well as the industry," Dovigi said. "We have met with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office, and any one of those individuals are no longer at the company. We believe there were three or four individuals that partook in those actions, or somehow knew about them, and they are no longer with the company. But there are 782 other employees that I believe were the victims of this because they go out and do a great job every day servicing these communities. Why these individuals participated in these actions, I'll never know. I can tell you, the number one rule for us is integrity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Us, as a company, have no interest in participating in that. We are going to win your business by providing you the best service at the best price. We'll continue bidding on that this way on any one of these contracts, and we have done that in Canada for the last 11 years where we have gone from no homes to two million homes. And we didn't do it by paying people kickbacks in any way." Dovigi continued to say that he spent more than four months in the area running the former Rizzo asset, and believes the company has been cleansed of corruption. He said none of the 64 communities that have been with GFL since the acquisition has cancelled a contract or had any issues with service. "We aren't them; we are a different company," he said. Consultant Jim Frey, of Resource Recycling Systems, said the vetting process included speaking with clients and customers of GFL to make sure they have had seamless transitions, and said he believes the city would be well served by the new provider. The change in providers won't disrupt the city's work with Recycle Bank, which allows the city to track recycling in the city and earn money for recycling projects at the city's school district. Dovigi said the new trucks will be equipped with scanners to track recycling, which is part of the reason for a delay in the switch of services. Council unanimously approved the change in services. "It's a tough situation we were thrown into, but I'm willing to give GFL a fair shake. I also want to say to residents that there will be improvements with the trucks, which are better for the environment and may produce less noise," councilman Jim Kubicina said, referring to a new fleet of trucks used by GFL that are supposed to be more efficient.
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Ultimately, the designation of the land as green space or not sets the tone for preserving the land for the future, or allowing for more options at a later date. "I think what it comes down to is, do you recognize it as a high priority (green space) and call it green space, or do you step back and say, 'well, do we want to preserve future options for unseen needs or uses by future councils, and do we want to make that determination for them today,'" said council president Mark Tisdel. "I don't know that for anyone on this panel that there is a wrong answer. I think they are both acceptable." Council resolved the issue by a vote of 5-2 to approve the green space designation, with council members Morita and Thomas Wiggins voting against the motion.
Riverfront office building plans okay Plans to build a 45,000-square foot, four-story office building with a mezzanine floor along the bank of the Paint Creek at 400 Water Street, behind the Mills building, were approved on Monday, May 5, by the Rochester Planning Commission. The site plan, which was unanimously approved by planning commission members, will still need final approval from the Rochester City Council. The proposed building would house new offices for Rochester developer Frank Rewold and Son, Inc., which is proposing the project. The project will include first floor parking and three floors of office space. The building will also provide a funding source for the development of a brownfield district key to cleaning up the former ITT Automotive site, which has sat vacant for decades due to restrictions from contamination there. Frank Rewold, who said the building is being done in conjunction with the company's 100-year anniversary in 2018, indicated he has been working for about two decades to reach an agreement with ITT that would allow the property to be developed. Contributing to the cleanup of the property will be a $1 million grant to the city and a $2 million loan to the city form the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which will be paid through the establishment of a brownfield district. Those districts allow remediation of contaminated sites to be paid over time through tax increment financing (TIF) districts. Rochester City Council in April
approved accepting the loan and grant, signaling the city's commitment to moving forward with the brownfield redevelopment process. In terms of architecture design, the building will include three full stories with an additional mezzanine floor with a rooftop deck on top. Construction materials include composite horizontal siding, a laminate facade panel, cement board accents and a standing seam metal roof. The design provides an "attractive addition to the area without detracting from the existing historical Mills building or the landmark Royal Park Hotel," planning consultant Vidya Krishnan said. "The proposal submitted by the applicant is an exciting new project for the city, which will provide for much needed office space and also create a high quality development while providing significant public benefit," she said. However, some details of the plan, including a traffic study, extended sidewalk connection, justification for shared parking, a tree survey, landscape planting details, signage details and lighting for safety still need to be address, she said. Overall, the building's site plan received positive feedback from planning commissioners, but left some questions regarding specifics related to some parking at the site, pedestrian access and concerns about traffic flows; stormwater in relation to the proximity of the Paint Creek; and landscape materials. Planning commissioners voted to move forward with the site plan, pending administrative approval of those issues prior to being forwarded to city council for final approval. While Rewold in April had been requested to provide a traffic study with the site plan, the commission was satisfied to accept projections of a future traffic study with future projects that Rewold said he has in the works at adjacent property locations he possesses. "Without saying too much, there are two projects that have been narrowed down for the corner location that would be awesome," he said. "They would be different uses than our office. Different densities and use (bring traffic) at different times." Rewold stopped short of providing additional details about the potential project. "Stay tuned because I have other projects coming behind this," he said.
Industrial area to be rezoned River's Edge By Kevin Elliott
Plans to rezone a heavy industrial area near the Clinton River, downtown Rochester and the Clinton River Trail into a mixed-use district of commercial, office and residential developments moved forward on Monday, June 26, with near unanimous support from the Rochester City Council. Previously zoned as I-2 (heavy industrial use), the River's Edge District consists of the small triangular-like industrial area created by the Clinton River and the city's southern border with Rochester Hills, just east of Rochester Road/Main Street, which includes a former concrete plant. City planning consultant Vidya Krishnan said the area is highly visible from the bridge at the entrance to the city and has significant potential due to its close proximity to the river, trail and downtown area. However, because the area is within a 100-year floodplain, the ability for strictly residential development is particularly challenging. The city's planning commission opted for a mixed-use district to provide a mix of office, research and technology based uses, as well as some limited residential uses. Because of the district's location to the river and trail, development which would create noise, odor, glare or limit the quality of life will be heavily restricted in the area. Ultimately, the new zoning designation is intended to support uses that don't break up or disrupt the relationship to the downtown area, but rather a campusstyle setting that would maintain a greenbelt along the river and trail. The zoning amendment went before city council members on June 12 for a public hearing and first reading and passed by a vote of 6-1, with the sole dissenting vote from councilwoman Ann Peterson. Under the new district, uses will include: office buildings such as regional offices or corporate headquarters and data processing facilities; medical facilities; offices; clinics; laboratories; vocational, trade and/or business schools; advanced technology, research and development uses; technical training schools and facilities; deli or cafe-type establishments; and residential units, apartments, condominiums. Additional uses could include fitness facilities, as well as public utilities 36
Lower speed limits for gravel roads change in the state's motor vehicle code has spurred resolutions in Rochester and Rochester Hills to lower the speed limit on two portions of gravel roads from 55 mph to 45 mph in those communities. Rochester City Manager Blaine Wing said at a city council meeting on Monday, June 26, that several residents along Washington Road had requested to have the speed limit changed there. Currently, Washington Road is a gravel road with an unposted speed limit, which assumes an upper end speed limit of 55 mph, dependent on road conditions. However, complaints to the city from residents in the area have caused the city to consider changes to the speed limit. Rochester public works director Shannon Filarecki said prior to changes in the state law, in order to lower a speed limit on a gravel roadway, a special speed study would need to be conducted by the Michigan State Police. The study would have to be completed within a few days of regrading the road to optimal conditions, and the speed limit would be set at the 85th percentile, or the speed of 85 percent of the vehicles traveling the road. Because the study would be done at optimal conditions on a straight and open roadway, Filarecki said it's likely the 85th percentile would be above 45 mph. However, recent changes in the state law allow speed limits to be set at 45 mph in a county where the resident population exceeds 1 million people. Jurisdiction, therefore, would fall under the Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC). Filarecki said the road commission isn't in favor of posting a speed limit on the roadway, but is willing to consider a request from the city to establish the 45 mph limit. In order to do so, the city must pass a resolution requesting the posting of the 45 mph speed limit. Additionally, the city must agree to pay for the initial installation of speed limit signs. Rochester City Council on June 26 approved the resolution, as well as a commitment of $1,400 for speed limit signs. Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, June 19, approved a similar resolution to lower the speed limit on a gravel portion of Livernois Road, between Canyon Creek Drive and Dutton Road. That resolution also included the commitment of $1,400 for speed limit signs.
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and facilities. Outdoor storage is prohibited. Councilwoman Peterson said on June 12 she was concerned about future buildings being constructed too close to the river. Krishnan said buildings in the district would be limited to five stories, with any buildings over three stories required to have a stepped design so that they wouldn't loom over the river or trail, and would also be required to have at least a 50-foot setback that would be required to enhance the trail area in order to create and maintain a greenbelt area. Peterson also said she didn't feel the mix of uses worked well together. "None of the uses go together well to mix them up," she said. Councilman Jeffrey Cuthbertson said the current use in the area allows for heavy industrial uses, such as manufacturing plants. "It's a huge step in the right direction for someone who may want to develop and in the interest of the community," he said.
City council finalized and approved the amended zoning ordinance on June 26, with councilman Stuart Bikson absent.
Cedarbrook plans updated, approved Construction on a six-story, 188,852-square foot senior living facility is expected to begin by the end of July, following the approval on Monday, June 12, of an updated site plan by the Rochester City Council. Mike Damone, president of the Damone Group, attended the meeting with city council members to present updated plans for Cedarbrook of Rochester, a 142-unit independent living facility with assisted living, memory care and a respite living center at 790 Letica Drive. Plans for the development were initially approved by city council in May of 2016. However, Damone said changes were made to the plans during the design phase of the
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project requiring him to return before the city's planning commission and city council. Planning commissioners on Monday, June 5, unanimously recommended approval by city council for the updated plan. Changes to the original site plan include a slight increase to the building's square footage, increasing the number of units from 142 to 151, while still retaining the same exterior footprint and lowering the height of the building in some places. Changes also included the addition of carports; improved pedestrian access; some architectural changes; landscaping; and a reduction in some interior common areas. Damone said one of the key changes included the relocation of a backup generator, which was previously located too close to the building's fresh air intakes. He said the generator would be in an enclosed area and be shielded by several tall pine trees. Councilman Ben Giovaneli, who said while the size and scope of the project make it an unpopular proposal with many residents in the area, he supported it because of the potential for other developments that would be more obtrusive to the neighborhood. "In terms of being the most controversial things I've had to vote on in council, this is one of them, due to the sheer size and scope of the project," he said. "There are not a lot of fans over on the east side that are excited about it. I would say less than 50-50, but I think it's a good project on balance for the city and I would support." Mayor Cathy Daldin echoed Giovaneliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comment. "That's why I supported it, on balance of what could be put there," Daldin said. "It's not going to be easy when it goes up. People are going to be â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it's going to be in their face, but I think on balance, it's a good project. It's a good organization. We've done a lot of research on the back end." Rochester planning consultant Vidya Krishnan said current zoning allows for a wide range of manufacturing, warehouses, hospitals and other uses. Councilmen Rob Ray and Stuart Bikson said the size and scope of the project was still too large for them to support it. Council approved the updated plan by a vote of 4-3, with council members Bikson, Ray and Ann Peterson voting against. 07.17
BUSINESS MATTERS 100 years of care “Personalized and professional service from people that care,” has been the motto of the owners of Whims’ Insurance Agency, 322 Main Street, Suite 200, Rochester, for a century of business. The insurance agency is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1917 by Leslie Whims, a car dealer who was approached by and later licensed by Auto-Owners Insurance Company, the business is the third oldest Auto-Owners agency in the United States. Leslie Whims was later joined by his son in-law, Herm Klix, his son Tom, and sister. Today, Whims’ great-grandson Lars Nordberg works at the agency and continues the family’s tradition. While the business has been home to several different locations in Rochester, it has always remained on the east side of Main Street in downtown Rochester.
Pizza and pub Two longtime Rochester-area dining establishments will be combining under one roof this summer when Sir Pizza, 290 W. Tienken, and RJ’s Pub, 288 W. Tienken, combine under one roof at 286 W. Tienken Road, in Rochester Hills. Russ Luxton, who opened RJ’s Pub in 1989 and Sir Pizza in 1979 with his father, said the new location will combine the current pub space with the former party store next door. The remodel, which is expected to take about two months, will include removing part of a wall to connect the two spaces, the installation of three bay doors and plans for a patio to help open up the space and bring more light into the space. Luxton said the front of the space will contain the original RJ’s Pub, with Sir Pizza in the rear, and a larger kitchen combining the spaces. “It will offer more options for this area,” said Russ Luxton Jr., who owns and operates the businesses with his father. “We are going from no windows and a closed feel to more windows and natural light.” The remodel, he said, will retain the original feeling of the pub with the addition of an updated sports bar and working patio. Luxton’s father said much of the plans were his son’s idea, who will be taking over the day-to-day operations under the combined location. “After 30 years, it’s time,” he said. “My son is taking over. My father and me started it and it went to me, and now it’s going to him. I will still be here. I’m not going downtownpublications.com
anywhere until I die, but it was his idea and his marketing and brains, so I’m proud of him.”
Deli opens in town Gourmet-style deli food with a Detroit theme is available at Detroit Deli and More, 121 S. Main Street, Rochester. Featuring Motor City staples like Faygo pop and Better Made chip products, as well as a redesigned store at the edge of Rochester’s downtown with a Detroit theme, the deli is the latest offering the Stamevski family, which has been in the restaurant business since the late 1970s. “It’s all familyrun, owned,” said Velko Stamevski, who opened the deli with his sisters Biljana Markovsi and Gordana Stamevski, and their parents. “Mostly we have had family-style coney islands. This is a little different veture.” Detroit Deli highlights homemade items, such as fresh breads, soup and Sy Ginsberg corned beef that will all be cooked in the store. “We have all the great deli favorites, and also some catering and breakfast items, with pastries in the morning, breakfast burritos and handheld items,” Velko Stamevski said. Rehabbing the interior and exterior storefront was in the works for several months to create a visually interesting facade and unique storefront identity for the business. “It’s been a longtime coming,” Stamevski said.
Non-profit’s 40th The non-profit Neighborhood Child Care Center, 345 Griggs Street in Rochester, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year as a licensed service provider in the community. Originally founded in 1977 by Todd Greenbaum and Mary Staperfenne Greenbaum and other community leaders who saw a need for quality child care and family supportive services in the Pontiac area, NC3, as it is known, opened in 1987 in Rochester. Today, the center is licensed to offer full day care services, preschool classes, before and after school care, kindergarten and summer day camps for children 30 months to 12-years-old.
New style of learning A new style of “learner driven” school will be open for classes in the upcoming school year with the addition of Acton Academy, 543 N. Main, in Rochester. Founded by former Texas oilman Jeff Sandefer
and his wife, Laura, who previously worked to create art education programs with the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the couple founded the first Acton Academy in Austin, Texas, where they implemented an education program based on the Socratic method, which uses a dialogue among students and “guides,” rather than teachers, and aims to develop critical thinking. Now available as franchise locations, there are more than 30 Acton Academies in the United States and additional locations across the globe. The academies offer elementary, middle and high school curriculums. The Rochester location will be owned and operated by Oakland County natives Jay and Rucha Patel, who first discovered Acton when enrolling their two children in the location in Ann Arbor. “My children were in public school, but I was always looking for an alternate education,” Rucha Patel said. “We tried to homeschool before public school, then we heard of this and said, ‘this is something we need to try.’” Patel said she and her husband liked Acton so much, they moved from Troy to Ann Arbor. When the opportunity to open an Acton closer to her husband’s company in Troy presented itself, the couple decided to open their own Acton Academy. The academy is now working to open for the upcoming school year. Patel said the program includes traditional subjects and core skills time for part of the day, with a self-guided component where “they are free to learn what they want and how they want to support it” with the help of guides, which direct them to resources they need to answer those questions. “The main thing is that kids are learning values, and it works as a whole community,” Patel said. “They hold each other accountable. The other thing we love is the Socratic discussions. They start thinking ‘why’ for everything. In anything they do, they think critically.”
Foreign language classes New language classes will be starting this month at Bright Loritos, 543 N. Main Street, Suite 412, in Rochester, which specializes in foreign language education for children. Created by Alonso Chavez and his wife, Andrea Martinez, along with co-founder Carlos Chavez, the Rochester location is the language school’s third location
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offering immersive classes in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic and French. “Adults learn by translating and always go to their mother tongue to learn, but kids just acquire languages. It’s a different process for kids than adults,” Alonso Chavez said. “It’s complete immersion. We conduct classes entirely in those languages, which is most effective in the long run. It’s a survival mode that you have to have in class in order to communicate with instructors.” As for the name, “lorito” comes from Spanish for parrot, the animal that inspired Carlos Chavez’s youngest son to begin speaking English by mimicking the bird at a pet store. “Really, it’s so interactive and fun that kids don’t realize they are learning another language,” Alonso Chavez said. Alonso said he uses the same play-based method to encourage them to interact and learn new languages. Classes are available throughout the entire year, and run the length of school semesters, including summer classes, which run anywhere from an hour to about 75 minutes, depending on age groups.
New edibles Rochester-area residents looking to send something different than flowers will have more options beginning this July with the opening of Edible Arrangements, 1368 Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills. The new shop will offer edible fruit bouquets and gifts made to order that use fresh fruit arrangements and gourmet chocolate-dipped fruit to order. Arrangements and gifts are available for all occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, sympathy, and other events. The Rochester Hills location also will be a select location that will offer refreshments, including fruit cups, smoothies, frozen yogurt and other items to take on-the-go. Owner Salim Gasso said the combination of Edible Arrangements offerings and the business and neighborhood community in Rochester Hills were key in his decision to open the new location. “I’ve gotten plenty of (Edible Arrangements) for my wife and clients as gifts, and I noticed that nobody is ever upset to receive them.” Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication. 37
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248.651.4224 www.rochestercidermill.com 40
112 Pizzeria Bistro: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2528 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.6164. 2941 Street Food: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 87 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.606.4583. Alex’s of Rochester: Italian, Greek, & American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.852.2288. Antoniou’s Pizza: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 918 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.650.2200. Avery’s Tavern: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2086 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.270.4030. B Spot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.218.6001. Bangkok Cuisine: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 727 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.8841. Bar Louie: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 10 or more. Liquor. 1488 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307. 248.218.5114. Bean and Leaf Café: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 439 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.1411. Bigalora Wood Fire Cucina: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 8 or more. Liquor. 6810 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.218.6230. Big Boy: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. 3756 S. Rochester Road., Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.852.5540. Also 90 E. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.601.7777. Bologna Via Cucina: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 334 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.3300. Buffalo Wild Wings: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1234 Walton Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.3999. Chadd’s Bistro: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. 1838 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.293.0665. Chapman House: French-American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. Liquor. 311 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 48307. 248.759.4406. Cheng’s Restaurant: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2666 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.9450. Chicken Shack: BBQ. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 213 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48307. 248.656.1100. Chili’s: Tex-Mex. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2735 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.5281.
DOWNTOWN
Chipotle Mexican Grille: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2611 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.402.0047. Also The Village of Rochester Hills, 84 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.402.0047. Chomp Deli & Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 200 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 888.342.2497. CJ Mahoney’s Sports Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 3260 S. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307. 248.293.2800. CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. Clubhouse BFD (Beer-Food-Drink): American. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations, 10 or more. Liquor. 2265 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.6093. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1418 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.266.6226. Downtown Café: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 606 N. Main, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.6680. East Side Mario’s: Italian. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2273 Crooks Road, Rochester, 48309. 248.853.9622. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 2972 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.606.4519. Famous Dave’s: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2945 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.852.6200. Firehouse Subs: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1480 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.9200. Also 3044 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.7827. Five Guys Burgers & Fries: American, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2544 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.299.3483. Ganbei Chinese Restaurant & Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.266.6687. Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Italian. 117 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.2882. Gold Star Family Restaurant: American & Greek. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 650 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.652.2478. Golden Eagle: American. Lunch, Sunday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1447 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.6606. Grand Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 12 Marketplace Circle, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.1350. Half Day Café: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 3134 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.1330. Hamlin Pub: American. Breakfast, Sundays. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1988 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.7700. Hibachi House Bar & Grill: Japanese Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 335 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.266.6055. Honey Tree Grille: Mediterranean. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2949 Crooks Road, Rochester, 48309. 248.237.0200. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1186 W. University Drive, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.3527.
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Johnny Black Public House: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1711 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.606.4479. Kabin Kruser’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. No reservations. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. 306 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. 2552 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.844.8900. King Garden: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1433 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.3333. Krazy Greek Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 111 E. University Drive, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.0089. Kruse & Muer In the Village: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 134 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.2503. Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400. Lebanese Grill: Lebanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2783 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.606.4651. Lino’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 50 W. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.656.9002. Lipuma’s Coney Island: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 621 N. Main Steet, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9862. Lucky’s Prime Time: American. Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, weekdays. Liquor. 1330 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.656.8707. Main Street Billiards: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.8441. Main Street Deli: Deli. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, Thursday, Friday. No reservations. 709 N. Main Street, Rochester, MI 48307. 248.656.5066. Mamma Mia Tuscan Grille: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 543 N. Main Street, Suite 311, Rochester, 48307. 248.402.0234. Mezza Mediterranean Grille: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor at The Village location only. 1413 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.609.2121. Also The Village of Rochester Hills, 188 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills. 248.375.5999. Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5371. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 370 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.340.5900. Mr. B’s Food and Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 423 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.6534. Noodles & Company: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 184 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.5000. North Shack: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 990 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.3366. O’Connor’s Public House: Irish Pub. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. Olive Garden: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2615 S.
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Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.6960. Outback Steakhouse: Steakhouse. Lunch, Friday-Sunday. Dinner, daily. Reservations, eight or more. Liquor. 1880 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.650.2521. Paint Creek Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 613 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4205. Panda Express: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3105 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.9880. Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 37 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.601.2050. Also 2921 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.5722. Also 2508 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.7430. Park 600 Bar & Kitchen: American. Weekend Brunch. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.2600. Paul’s on Main: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 630 N. Main Sreet., Rochester, 48307. 248.656.0066. Pei Wei: Asian Fusion. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1206 E. Walton Boulevard, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.1380. Penn Station East Coast Subs: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 146. S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.4663. Penny Black Grill & Tap: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 124 W. 4th Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.841.1522. Pudthai & Sushi: Thai & Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2964 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.6890. Qdoba Mexican Grill: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1198 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.608.2603. Also 3014 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.844.3668. Ram’s Horn: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1990 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.7900. Red Knapp’s Dairy Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 304 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.4545. Red Lobster: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2825 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.8090. Red Olive: Mediterranean & American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1194 Walton Boulevard, Rochester, 48307. 248.656.0300. Rochester Bistro: American-Continental. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.923.2724. Rochester Brunch House: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 301 Walnut Boulevard, Rochester, 48307. 248.656.1600. Rochester Chop House: Steakhouse & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Rochester Diner & Grill: American, Greek & Italian. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. 1416 E. Walton Blvd., Rochester Hill, 48309. 248.652.6737. Rochester Mills Beer Co.: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Water Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.650.5080. Rochester Tap Room: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6870
N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306. 248.650.2500. Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 401 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.9300. Sakura Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6866 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.608.3867. Shish Palace: Mediterranean. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 165 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5464. Shogun: Japanese. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 173 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5386. Silver Spoon Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.652.4500. Soho: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2943 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.289.1179. Sumo Sushi & Seafood: Japanese & Korean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 24 hours in advance. Liquor. 418 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.0104. Tapper’s Pub: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 877 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.852.1983. Tim Hortons: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 940 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.8292. The Jagged Fork: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 188 N. Adams, Rochester Hills, 48306. The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291. Tropical Smoothie Café: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2913 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.852.4800. Val's Polish Kitchen: Polish. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. 224 E. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.293.2660. Wayback Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1256 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5746. Also 2595 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.844.2717. Willoughby’s Beyond Juice: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 120 E. 4th Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.841.1670.
Troy 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. Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900. McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400. Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.
DOWNTOWN
Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. 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.
Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220. 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. Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630. Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355. 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. Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. 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 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700. Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.
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Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Forest: European. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400. Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609. 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. Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960. 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. Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122. Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. 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 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.
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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. Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241. Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.
North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100. Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208. Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660.
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.v Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017. 248.288.0220. The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.
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 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633. Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900. Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.850.7420. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300. Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141. Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067. 248.607.3127. Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7300. The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. 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.
West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.
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Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466. Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American. Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076. 248.559.5985. Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.
West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150. The Root Restaurant & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400. Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.
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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.
Older Persons Commission Charity Gala
Older Persons Commission Charity Gala The 15th annual fundraiser for Rochester’s Older Persons Commission’s Meals on Wheels program attracted 375 ($150 ticket) to the Royal Sally Gerak Park Hotel to party in a Monte Carlo mode. WXYZ’s Dave LewAllen emceed the dinner program in which 96-year old Erv Bauer, a Meals on Wheels recipient since his wife died three years ago, admitted, “I can’t even boil water.” He called the program “a real treasure” because ....” the drivers (greet you) with a smile...and are someone to talk to every day...we really appreciate you sponsors...thank you kindly.” Presenting sponsor Bellbrook’s Becky Lund saluted the honorary chair of the event – the 61-year old Rochester Junior Women’s Club, many of whose members were in the audience. Thanks to generous sponsors, A Night in Monte Carol raised more than $100,000 for the program that delivered 117,959 meals to homebound seniors in 2016. Catholic Charities Mercy in Action Gala A sold-out crowd of more than 400 ($150 ticket) gathered at the Somerset Inn to support the charity that was formed in 2013 when six county social service agencies combined into Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM). Many guests had attended Mass celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Vigneron before arriving for the social hour. The star of the dinner program was Marge Huggard, former longtime CEO/President of the Oakland County agency. The Distinguished Service Award she received is named after the nonagenarian Msgr. Robert Monticello who first hired her 37 years ago and was there to applaud her sage remarks about charity. Another highlight was CCSEM program director Kristie Hardin’s poignant description of the agency’s foster care program. It served as powerful motivation for people to make Fund-AMission pledges ($43,150) to the Adoption and Foster Care programs. Thanks also to the silent auction ($14, 275) and the short live auction ($10,000) conducted by Chris Aslanian, the event netted an all time high $129,310, to the great satisfaction of the chairs Larry and Linda Luchi. Beyond Basics’ Storybook Soiree Four costumed storybook characters greeted guests (100+ @ $250 & $500) at the Chapman House in Rochester to support the literacy programs run by Beyond Basics. The restored, Italian Renaissance-style mansion turned restaurant was a perfect setting for the storybook theme, which was also present in table décor and at least one of the passed hors d’oeuvres – “Green Eggs and Ham”. (Actually egg salad.) Before the program, which was presented on the terrace behind the house, people socialized, sipped, snacked and marveled at the 1917 structure. Program highlights included BB founder Pam Good presenting the 2017 Literacy Chair to Jack and Annette Aronson. The BB chair, a traditional gift to special donors, is a lot more fun than academic chairs which bestow professorial titles. BB’s new star pupil Elijah Craft also earnestly thanked the supporters for “...changing my life.” (The Detroit Central H.S. senior could not read until he got a BB tutor last fall.) Jack Krasula then persuaded people to ante up $49,000 for six live auction items. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the soiree raised $105,000. French American Chamber Charity Gala Francophiles convened 215 strong at the Townsend Hotel for the FACCMichigan annual Gala & Awards Ceremony. During the pre-dinner reception they sipped champagne, socialized and bid on silent auction items including the weekend lease of the red Infiniti Coupe in display by the front door. Highlights of the dinner program included the presentation of a college scholarship; Tim Hudson’s description of the Forgotten Harvest mission when he accepted the $10,000 gift from FACC-Michigan president Cedric Ballerini; a greeting by the French Consul General Vincent Floreani; and the keynote speaker José Muñoz, Chairman of Nissan North America. With a vintage 1925 Renault on display beside the stage, he spoke about the success of Nissan, the Nissan-Renault Alliance in North America and the global automotive market. downtownpublications.com
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9 1. Kelly Dean (left) and Alicia Chendalls of Rochester Hills. 2. Erv Bauer (left) of Rochester, Renee Cortright of Troy, Judy Bauer of Admonton, AL, CAN. 3. Russ (left) & Kathy Shelton of Rochester, Dave LewAllen of Rochester Hills. 4. Sandra Rellinger of Rochester Hills. 5. Lynn Oates (left) and Toni Wiley of Rochester and Nancy Gorges of Rochester Hills. 6. Mike Bailey (left) and Stuart Bikson of Rochester. 7. Lisa Beisle (center) of Shelby Twp., Kathy Warriner (left) and Carol Anne Kettlsen of Rochester Hills. 8. Lori & Marty Knollenberg of Troy, CJ & Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield. 9. Corrin (left) & Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills, Judy Barnett of Auburn Hills. 10. Gerry (left) & John Birg of Rochester, Carole Fraga of Rochester Hills
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Catholic Charities Mercy in Action Gala
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Oakland County Bar Signature Event The 18th annual charity gathering for the Oakland County legal community brought more than 400 to Oakland Hills Country Club to mingle and munch. Led by foundation president Kaveh Kashe, most of the board members arrived early for a group photo on the veranda. Guests included some representatives of programs that the foundation’s grants support. With $220,000 from sponsorship activity and an additional $61,650 in ticket sales and donations, the event raised $281,650. Since 2002, the Bar Foundation has contributed more than $2-million to legal aid and education programs such as the CARE House special advocate program, the RESTORE Foundation, JARC and the Michigan Center for Civic Education.
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1. Msgr. Bob Monticello of Livonia, Marge Huggard of Rochester Hills. 2. Larry (left) & Linda Luchi of Commerce, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron. 3. Msgr. Chuck Kosanke (left) of Detroit, Sue Bixler of Bloomfield. 4. Donna Delacourt & Bill Sheehan of Bloomfield. 5. Mike & Patty Moran of Bloomfield. 6. Camille Nelson (left) of Royal Oak, Sue Schneider of Birmingham. 7. Kevin Doster (left) of Troy, Paul Raab of Beverly Hills, Alex Danish of Bloomfield.
Beyond Basics’ Storybook Soiree
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1. Annette & Jack Aronson of Bloomfield. 2. John Cunningham (left), Pam Dittrich and Jack Krasula of Bloomfield. 3. Dorie Shwedel of Bloomfield. 4. Mary & Patrick Lynch of Bloomfield. 5. Dick & Eleanor Gabrys of Bloomfield. 6. Dena (left) & Bill Soule of Rochester Hills, Vicki Latella of Clinton Twp.
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MHS Bow Wow Brunch More than 550 animal lovers convened at the MGM Grand ballroom for the 28th annual Sunday fundraiser for the Michigan Humane Society. As at past events, they were in the company of four-legged adoptables, 14 to be exact, with 13 finding new forever homes. A large silent auction provided more prebrunch diversion and raised more than $43,000. The program featured tributes to Humane Heroes by board president Paul Huxley, MHS President/CEO Matthew Pepper and guest speaker Jeff Corwin of television fame, as well as a spirited live auction which raised $52,200. That was followed by a video depicting the rescue and happy ending saga of the dog Clifford, which inspired SAV-A-LIFE donations of $35,000. Additionally, solicitations by six “Doghouse” dwellers topped by Donna Krall’s total of $5,800, and generous sponsor donations brought the event total to more than $360,000 for MHS. It now has a 100-percent placement rate for healthy, treatable animals. Cranbrook Academy of Art 2017 STUDIO For several years now, the end of the year fundraiser for Cranbrook Academy of Art scholarships is held where those fund holders are mentored – in the studios of the 10 Artists-in-Residence at the graduate school. And maybe because this year the honorary chair was the popular Director Emeritus Gerhardt Knodel, more people than ever (380 @ $300 & $500) turned out. Gretchen Davidson and Cathy Schwartz chaired the event which began with a reception in the museum. A brief program there 07.17
included remarks emphasizing the importance of financial aid. Dinner and conversation in the studios and an afterSTUDIO dance party back in the museum followed. Thanks to generous sponsors like MercedesBenz Financial Services, the soiree raised $300,000. Angels’ Place Sip, Savor, Share The Angles’ Place women support group – WINGS – convened members and potential members in a classic, Victor Saroki-designed home. Never mind that the hostess Connie Hudas had just zipped back from her Time, Inc office in NYC. “I didn’t have to do anything but open the door,” she said self-effacingly, adding, “the ladies did everything.” Everything included the spread of savory comestibles, the handsome raffle display of 10 gift baskets, and deciding where the six vendors would set up their displays. The mild weather permitted the 120 women to socialize and sip al fresco on the terrace of the hilltop home overlooking the swimming pool and Upper Straits Lake. In a brief program, AP Executive Director Cheryl Loveday thanked the chairs (Judy Jonna, Julie Beals, Sally Mezey, Diane Widlak and Martha Kistler) and shared a video that spotlighted the family-like nature of life in the 20 homes for people with developmental disabilities. She invited guests to embrace AP’s care-for-life mission. Her sincerity inspired 20 new members to join Women Involved in Nurturing and Giving Service.
French American Chamber Charity Gala
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1. José Muñoz (left) of Franklin, TN, Cédric Ballarin of Bloomfield. 2. Anne Marie Vercruysse Welch (left) of Birmingham, Robert Vercruysse of Plymouth, Stéphanie Salvadero of Ferndale. 3. Caroline Cunnington of Bloomfield, Sophie Frieh of Beverly Hills. 4. Norm Scherb of Birmingham.
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MHS Bow Wow Brunch
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Angels Place Spring Tailgate The week following the abovereported Angels Place fundraiser for women, Joey and Tammy Jonna chaired another AP benefit with appeal for MSU football fans regardless of gender. More than 200 of them ($100, $250 ticket) gathered at the Troy Marriott for what was more like a pep rally, what with the alumni pep band, cheerleaders, Jake the Wonder Dog and mascot Sparty in fine form. But the big draw was football coach Mark Dantonio. In his talk he paralleled the AP mission with that of a college football team. He also spontaneously donated for auction the opportunity for three fans to watch a game on the sidelines with him. This sold for $2,000. Thanks also to a raffle and generous donors, the total proceeds for the evening, which WXYZ’s Brad Galli emceed, was $50,000.
Cranbrook Academy of Art 2017 STUDIO
JLB’s A Night at the Races The Junior League of Birmingham’s
1. Carol Ilitch (left) of Birmingham, Kelle Ilitch of Bloomfield, Gretchen Davidson and Lara Schwartzberg of Birmingham. 2. Photography students: Samantha Meyers (left), Colton Clifford, Anna Young, Naomi Moser, Jarvi Kononen, Erica Williams, Sebastian Duncan-Portuondo, Senia Litynskyj. Photos by Brian Widdis.
downtownpublications.com
2 1. Cindy Ciura (left), & Alex and Dennis Hafley of W. Bloomfield. 2. Cindy Pasky & Paul Huxley of Detroit, MHS Connie Hogan of Bloomfield. 3. Matthew Pepper of W. Bloomfield, Bruce Thal of Birmingham. 4. Charlene Handleman (left) of Bloomfield, Ellen Kahn of Franklin, Linda Katzman of Bingham Farms. 5. John & Marta Schaefer of Birmingham.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK annual spring event, this year presented with an equestrian spin, attracted 111 ($60 ticket) to the Bloomfield Open Hunt. The night included heavy appetizers and desserts, a champagne toast, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, cash bar, raffle and games. Highlights included a silent auction of 31 items, a cigar bar, DJ music and a photo booth.
Angels’ Place Sip, Savor, Share
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HAVEN’s 2017 Hero Gala The MOSAIC Youth Theatre singers’ rendition of “Somebody to Lean On” was a perfect opening for the program at HAVEN’s annual fundraiser. It attracted 350 to the Troy Marriott ($150 & $200), ninety of whom came early for the benefactor ($500) reception. Some were meeting the new president/CEO Amna Osman for the first time. Most were familiar with emcee WXYZ’’s Glenda Lewis. “I was raised at the HAVEN gala,” she quipped, referring to her mother Diana’s longtime emcee gig at the event. But domestic abuse survivor Dr. Tracey Thompson’s story of how her Prince Charming – a Michigan grad making $600,000 – beat her and locked her in a closet was unforgettable. Her hero was definitely the HAVEN volunteer who “...validated me in the hospital...(and) gave me respect and dignity.” Heart of HAVEN Awards were presented to HAVEN’s Capital Campaign co-chairs Sarah McClelland and Brad Simmons. Their efforts resulted in the new 36,000 sq. ft. facility that opened in Jan. 2016. They both praised HAVEN’s advocates. “...the heroes here tonight.” Those supporters bid $21,400 in the silent auction, $16,400 in the brief live auction, dropped another $11,170 on the raffles and still pledged over $29,000 in the Paddle Raise. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event netted more than $260,000.
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1. Connie Hudas (left) of Orchard Lake, Diane Widlak of Bloomfield. 2. Sally Mezey (left) of Birmingham, Judy Jonna of Bloomfield and Martha Kistler of Troy. 3. Nancy Smith (left) and Julie Beals of Bloomfield. 4. Joann Schofding (left) of Beverly Hills, Susan Norton and Becky Gersonde of Birmingham. 5. Karen Kearnes (left) and Gwen North of Bloomfield. 6. Katie Robison (left) of Birmingham, Kendra Cassidy of Bloomfield, Tina Ienne of Troy. 7. Renee Zawaideh (left) of Bloomfield, Tamar Hesano of Farmington Hills. 8. Maryclare Pulte (left) of Bloomfield, Khalida Jarbou of Sylvan Lake, Connie Hudas of Orchard Lake. 9. Connie Yasso (left) and Kim Salman of Bloomfield. 10. Susan Hall (left) and Lauren G. Fisher of Bloomfield.
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HAVEN’s 2017 Hero Gala
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1. Sarah McClelland (left) of Bloomfield and Brad Simmons of Birmingham, Amna Osman of Grand Blanc. 2. Tracy Thompson (left) of Southfield, Carole Winnard Brumm of Bloomfield. 3. Teresa (left) & Greg Mulawa of Rochester, Dave & Marleen Prater of Grosse Pointe. 4. Gordon Cox & Laurie Tennent of Bloomfield. 5. Tom DeCorte (left) & Lynda Ronie of Bloomfield, Jim & Trish Moritz of Grosse Pointe. 6. Mohammed Gazi (left) of W. Bloomfield, Gregg Brumm of Bloomfield.
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Christ Child Society’s pour les enfants The Christ Child Society is doing something right. The 500-plus member organization which succors needy children enjoys support across generations and provisional classes that cross the decades. Its 29th annual spring boutique and luncheon, chaired by Paula Garrity and twin sisters Connie LaPointe Quarrier and Patti LaPointe Chionis, attracted an oversold crowd (320 at $75) to Pine Lake Country Club. Before settling in for lunch, the ladies shopped, socialized, bought raffle tickets and selected prizes. The Luncheon for Literacy program had highlights. 07.17
Prolific children’s author Rhonda Gowler Green spoke about the magic of books for children and the need to plant reading seeds in every child, especially those who live in poverty. CCS member Jody Jennings pitched participation in the CCS monthly literacy program for a Pontiac grade school. But the two-part high point was Lanie Hardy Cosgrove’s introduction of the CCS Woman of the Year – Elaina Ryder – and her acceptance remarks. Both were notable for their good humor and affection. Event proceeds, more than $35,000, help support the society’s programs. Alzheimer’s Spring Soiree The former Ladies Night Out-type event added men to the committee this year and more than 150 ($75 and up) supporters of Alzheimer’s programs and services convened at Neiman Marcus. They socialized, snacked, sipped and shopped, mostly around the 25 brands in the beauty aisles, but some were also spotted checking out the Maria Canale jewelry. Likewise, photo artist Laurie Tennent’s merchandise featuring her botanical images in a “pop up” space in the main aisle. Thanks to generous sponsors and NM’s percent of sales payback ($4,500), the soiree raised more than $60,000 for AA programs and services. Variety, The Children’s Charity Hearts Stars The Detroit chapter of Variety International celebrated its 85th anniversary at a sold out soiree which attracted 300 supporters ($250 & $500 tickets) to the Townsend. The evening also celebrated the big heart and long time generous leadership of Bruce Rosen and three of the stars of Variety Detroit’s many programs which enhance the lives of children with special needs. Lois Shaevsky and Michael Coyne chaired the event that began with a very sociable cocktail hour. The dinner program, emceed by Paul W. Smith, had highlights – not the least of which was Smith’s interviewing of Annabelle, Henry and Kinsley. The youngsters were winsome spokespersons for Variety. Sandy Klein’s introduction of the honoree and Bruce’s acceptance evoked resounding applause from the crowd that included Rosen relatives and friend, many from afar. Dancing to music by Fifty Amp Fuse and savoring desserts, including samples of Variety’s tiered birthday cake, rounded out the splendid evening. Thanks to presenting sponsor Lincoln downtownpublications.com
Christ Child Society’s pour les enfants
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1. Connie LaPointe Quarrier (left), Patti LaPointe Chionis and Paula Garrity of Birmingham. 2. Laura Keziah (left) of Bloomfield, Rhonda Gowler Green of W. Bloomfield. 3. Dagnya Iyla (left) of Bloomfield, Elaina and Zoe Ryder of Birmingham. 4. Kelly Winkler (left) of Birmingham, Sally Smith of Bloomfield. 5. Kathy Abrash (left) and Chris Schwartz of Bloomfield, Mari MacKenzie of Birmingham. 6. Sarah Kepic (left) and Jenny McQuistan of Birmingham, Megan Shea, Shannan Gorga and Carrie Becharas of Bloomfield. 7. Laura Jerneycic (left) of Birmingham, Kristy Tyler of Kalamazoo. 8. Diana LaPointe (standing left) of Birmingham, Linda Chinonis of Fenton, Pat Ambrose (seated left) and Meredith Quarrier of Bloomfield. 9. Julia Wolf (left) of Birmingham, committee member Tara Nittis and Haley Lockwood of Bloomfield.
Alzheimer’s Spring Soiree
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1. Tara Grekin (left) and Laurie Tennent of Bloomfield. 2. Lori and Larry Rapp of Bloomfield. 3. Steven Grekin (left) of Bloomfield, Terry Oster of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Dr. Mike Whitworth of Birmingham. 4. Lori (left) & Larry Rapp of Bloomfield, Maria Canale of NYC, Bruce Smith of Royal Oak. 5. Cindy Kahn (left) and Renee Handelsman of Bloomfield, Meryl Sakwa of Birmingham. 6. Sarah Deson (left) of Birmingham, Hillary Shaw of Bloomfield and Amie & Daniel Stern of Birmingham. 7. Julie Marx (left) of Bloomfield, Lori Kontry (left) and Jane Mezza of Rochester Hills. 8. Dr. Claude Oster of Palm Beach Gardens, Lisa Brody of Bloomfield.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK of Troy and other generous donors, the evening raised $225,000 for Variety’s life changing programs.
Variety, The Children’s Charity Hearts Stars
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Eisenhower Dance Masquerade Gala The 26th annual Gala enticed 125 fans of the premiere contemporary dance company to the Village Club. The masquerade theme brought out creativity but, as board chair elect and event co-chair Kathy Ryan noted the next day on her Facebook page, it did not mask the mutual affection the group enjoys. In addition to cocktails, dinner and dance presentations by the company and the Youth Ensemble, the evening included a tribute to founding board chair the late Carol Halsted, Laurie Eisenhower’s passing of ED leadership to Stephanie Pizzo, and the presentation of a basket of goodies to Kathy for encouragement and comfort during the battle with breast cancer she has since launched. The annual event also raised $55,000 for Eisenhower Dance .
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1. Bruce Rosen of Bloomfield. 2. Rhonda & Paul Sabatini of Bloomfield. 3. Lyle Shuert (left) of Birmingham, Kelly & Matt Shuert of Bloomfield, Sergio Rosa, Felicia Shaw and Jeffery King of Birmingham, Jennie Cascio of Bloomfield. 4. Rosalie Rosen of Bloomfield, Jeffery Roberts from Florida. 5. Kim (left) & Paul W. Smith of Bloomfield, Susan Keller of Farmington Hills, Henry Baskin of Bloomfield. 6. Rosalie Rosen (3rd from left) of Bloomfield, Dr. Michael & Mary Jo Rosen of W. Bloomfield, Lois & Mark Shaevsky of Bloomfield. 7. Jeffery King of Birmingham, Bill Seklar of Bloomfield.
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Eisenhower Dance Masquerade Gala
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1. Laurie Eisenhower (left) of Rochester, Nannette Mazich of Birmingham. 2. Kathy Ryan (left) of Troy and Debi Bernstein-Siegel of Bloomfield. 3. Brett Csernits (left) of Bloomfield, Jocelyn Chen of Birmingham, Marina Csernits of Bloomfield. 4. Barbara Rom of Beverly Hills, Ron Davis of Bloomfield. 5. Sandi Reitelman (left) of Birmingham, Brett and Marty Tremain of Bloomfield.
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TCH PAC Birmingham Downs
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1 Dana Sorensen (left) of Ferndale, Grant Juth of Chicago, Dustin Hennigar of Royal Oak. 2. Michael Melfi (left), Kristin Rockwell and Tessa & Jeff Bagalis of Birmingham. 3 Pat Wasson (left), Ali Restaino and Julie Lundberg of Birmingham. 4. Andrea Kassab (left), Sarah Nicholson and Callie Jean of Birmingham.
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TCH PAC Birmingham Downs A Kentucky Derby-watching party attracted 200, many in Derby attire, to The Community House. Dana Sorensen chaired the event for the President’s Advisory Council. Led by Jeff Bagalis and Jeff Imerman, PAC focuses on fostering philanthropy and leadership in the next generation. For their $50 or $75 admission ticket guests savored appetizers like Bourbon Meatballs, sipped Mint Juleps, and watched Always Dreaming win the 143rd run for the roses. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation The 10th annual luncheon benefiting research and care for people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis attracted a sold-out crowd (350 - $175 & up tickets) to the Townsend Hotel. During the reception guests socialized, sipped Barefoot bubbly and got DIOR and Sisley Paris make-up touch ups. They also bid $9,132 for the 21 silent auction items and spent $8,200 on tickets for the 16 Ultimate Raffle prizes coordinated by Julie Sosa and her committee. But the luncheon program emceed by WXYZ’s Erin Nicole was the sine qua non of the event because it spotlighted two strong women who live with Crohn’s disease – honoree Harriett Fuller and speaker Dr. Arielle Hodari Gupta. Their dentist, Dr. Robert DiPilla, the benefit chair, presented the inaugural Uniting to Care and Cure Award to Harriett. She founded the luncheon event (it has raised $700,000) and has been a dedicated CCF supporter since it was founded 50 years ago. Dr. Gupta spoke about the onset of her disease when she was in medical school and its positive 07.17
impact on both her everyday life and her career as a surgeon. The event concluded, as have all 10 of them, with a Cheryl Hall Lindsay-produced runway fashion show. That the honoree was herself a model before she owned a modeling agency (and would still shine on any runway), confirms the point Dr. Gupta made to all with inflammatory bowel diseases: “Remember... you are not defined by your illness.” The event raised a record $148,000 to fund research and care. Michigan Design Center Celebration Gala The Michigan Design Center celebrated its 40th anniversary with a charity evening benefiting the ArtAccess programs at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. Some 250 people paid $100 to stroll around the world by way of the designer-created vignettes displayed throughout MDC showrooms. (Some, like Michael Coyne, incorporated art by BBAC students.) They also socialized, sipped and supped, pausing to gather in the main lobby for welcoming remarks by MDC president Jim Danto and general manager Susan Rodebush. Both referred to plans for a redesign of the center to better accommodate designers and clients. TCH 90-Plus Luncheon There must be something good in the local water supply. Of the 222 guests at The Community House’s 90-Plus Luncheon, 120 are in their 90s and two, Millie Charmer and Richard Rewere, are centurions. The “treasured” citizens were honored with a proclamation from the Oakland County Commission. They viewed “then” and “now” photos. They sang along with Kerry Price (songs like “Sentimental Journey” and “Zip-A-DeeDoo-Dah”) and went home with goodie bags, thanks to generous sponsors. JARC’s SpringElation The annual spring fundraiser for JARC’s services to people with disabilities moved from its traditional venue (the zoo) to Emagine Royal Oak, dubbed itself JARCaplozza, and was a smashing success. More than 1,200 guests ($25 ticket) turned out. They dined, bowled, took in a movie, danced to Star Trax music, stopped at the photo booth, got faces painted and balloon sculptures and created take homes with Arts & Scraps. Most rubbed elbows with Spiderman and Disney’s Belle and Elsa. Event chair Joshua Jacob was very pleased with the decision to hold the 19th annual event at a new venue. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. downtownpublications.com
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
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1. Karen Stefani (left) of Grosse Pointe and Toni Sova of Birmingham, Dr. Robert DiPilla of Troy, Harriett Fuller of Bloomfield, Anabelle DiPilla of Troy, Nancy Hodari of Birmingham. 2. Katie Coleman (left) and Angela Spencer of Bloomfield, Martha Quay of Birmingham. 3. Kelly Briggs (left) of Ferndale, Ali Restaino of Birmingham, Dana Sorensen of Ferndale. 4. Rebecca Sorensen of Bloomfield. 5. Harriett Fuller of Bloomfield, Cheryl Hall Lindsay of W. Bloomfield.
Michigan Design Center Celebration Gala
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1. Jim Danto of Bloomfield, Susan Rodebush of Royal Oak. 2. Michael Coyne and Gail Brethen of Bloomfield. 3. Ian & Connie McEwan of Birmingham. 4. Marty & Ruthie Szeltzer of Birmingham. 5. Chris (left) & Karen Gaudette and Ed & Felicia Shaw of Birmingham.
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TCH 90-Plus Luncheon
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1. Al & Joyce Roberts of Bloomfield. 2. Marion Wyatt and Margo Strickland of Bloomfield. 3. Shelley Taub (left) and Patti Jessup, Bloomfield. 4. Bill Seklar (left) of Bloomfield, Richard Astrein Huntington Woods
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ENDNOTE
Historic preservation a city necessity he decision by Rochester City Council members to introduce an amended historic preservation ordinance is a decision we support and encourage all council members to finalize this month when it comes before them for a second reading. First off, we should start by saying that we find it not only odd, but disheartening that the city – the oldest in Oakland County and one that has prided itself on its historical character, as illustrated by the current year-long bicentennial event – waited so long to pass an ordinance that protects the very heritage it claims to celebrate. While younger cities in the county enacted measures decades ago to protect their foundations, it wasn't until 2014 that Rochester put such an ordinance in place. When city council in 2014 finally did get around to taking up an historic preservation ordinance, it did so with what we feel was an overly soft-step that lacked the teeth that Michigan's Local Historic Districts Act provided. The city's original ordinance (and still current in effect as of press time) split from the state's ordinance in two key areas: It provided property owners the ability to "opt in" to an historic district by petitioning the city to designate their property as an historic resource, and some believed it allowed owners to “opt out.” While both the state law and city's original ordinance require the city to form an historic district committee to study properties to be included in an historic district, Rochester’s ordinance allowed for property owners to voluntarily choose to be included in an historic district. The second caveat included in the city's historic district ordinance is the designation of
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"landmark" properties, those the committee deem to have greater historical significance to the city and requiring the greatest amount of preservation. Those designated as landmark properties need approval from city council prior to any changes that would significantly alter the historical character of the property. However, this designation is, in fact, the key intent of the state's Historic District's Act. The two different designations in the city's ordinance allowed the city to monitor those landmark homes without including them in an historic district, and may have been intended to appeal to property owners who didn't voluntarily want their properties to be included in an historic district. But, in practice, it simply appeared to confuse council members who may believe Rochester's ordinance was more lenient for property owners who didn't want to be included in an historic district because it could potentially limit them in what they may do with their own property. Some council members also appeared to believe, incorrectly, that the city's ordinance provided property owners with an "opt-out clause." Not only is such a claim not accurate, it is in direct violation of the state's Local Historic Districts Act, which specifically does not permit ordinances with such clauses. As stated in a published Michigan Attorney General's Opinion in 1996, "a local unit of government may not enact an ordinance that restricts that unit from placing property in a local historic district without the consent of the property owner." Further, the city's own ordinance specifically requires objections by property owners to be removed from an historic district be made on grounds that the property isn't historically
significant or has less historic value than deemed by the committee. However, council members diverged from their own watered-down ordinance in March when the majority of council members agreed it wouldn't include one residential home on its list of landmark properties. That decision was made, not on an appeal of historic value of the home, but a perceived hardship to the property owner. In ignoring its own ordinance, some on council felt the existing ordinance may open the city up to litigation from others in historic districts or landmark designations who objected to their property's inclusion. Additionally, the action set a precedent that historic district designations could be decided by property owners objections, rather than by the municipality – a direct conflict with the state's law. By reverting to an ordinance that mimic's the state's law, the city not only ensures that it's protected against litigation, but also sets up a clear system that directs the city in how historic preservation will proceed in the future. Council members expected to vote on whether to finalize an amended historic preservation ordinance in the future should be acutely aware of the tools they must use to preserve the historic character of their community, as well as those limitations. As for property owners' concerns that a historic designation could hamstring them in the future or present a financial hardship, council members would be wise to build trust with those residents. After all, it is the council who will decide what level of historic preservation is appropriate on a case-by-case basis. But they must always remember preservation of the community is the overriding goal.
Education needed to combat rising STDs he startling and alarming rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people aged 15 to 24 and gay males in this country, and learning that fully half of the population of those aged 15 to 24, which numbers about 110 million men and women in the United States, are afflicted with chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV and other sexually transmitted infections – should be a wake up call for everyone. Local and state figures mirror the national figures from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where up to 70 percent of sexually active young adults had been infected with gonorrhea. Many young people, both straight and gay, are under the misguided – and false – assumption that these STDs are something that have been left in the past. The problem is that many of these infections, while potentially treatable, have few if any symptoms, so sexually active individuals pass them on and on and on, and can eventually have serious health complications when left untreated.
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“Fooling around” is fun, and part of youth – impulsively reacting to emotions, risky behavior, and the feeling of invincibility – can lead to not only pain and infections, but to long-term damage to both female and male reproductive organs, infertility, cancer and even death. Sexually active individuals must be tested on a regular basis, and we were pleased to learn that testing is available and affordable throughout Oakland County, both through the Oakland County Health Department, at their Pontiac and Southfield offices, as well as MAC Health program, part of Matrix Human Services, which since 1988 has been testing for HIV/AIDS at bars, clubs and bathhouses. Two years ago, due to the rise of STDs, they received funding from three foundations to test for STDs as well at these sites. But the single greatest issue that struck us over and over again in researching the article on STDs in this month’s issue was the lack of knowledge most young adults have about STDs, their symptoms, or lack of, and their implications. We fault the state legislature for mandating an abstinence-only sex education for students in
Michigan schools, where students receive limited information on sexually transmitted diseases. Local school districts provide information through sex education classes, to varying degrees depending upon the district. According to the Michigan Department of Education, by Michigan law, school districts are required to teach about dangerous communicable diseases, including, but not limited to HIV/AIDS, at least once a year at every building level (elementary, middle, high school), but school districts can choose to teach sex education. From those districts we contacted, the conversation regarding sexually transmitted disease was something only included in sex education classes once in high school, for one to three days. As one health care educator noted, the lack of repetitive education, which is effective in math, language, science, and every other subject, is lacking in this subject, with its potentially lifealtering implications. We are experiencing the skyrocketing numbers from the lack of adequate education as a result. Our young people deserve better.
BETH WATSON REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST | LONG TIME ROCHESTER RESIDENT
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