Rochester/Rochester Hills

MILITARY RECRUITMENT IN OAKLAND COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS

DOWNTOWN R O C H E S T E R

•

R O C H E S T E R

H I L L S

JUNE 2016

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

TALE OF TWO DOWNTOWNS: ROCHESTER VERSUS BIRMINGHAM WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE THREAT OF PHTHALATES

ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

DOWNTOWNPUBLICATIONS.COM

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792

WOW! KARASTAN “Forever Clean Carpet” With Premium 8 lb. Cushion INSTALLED

$

3.99

PER SQ FT Furniture and carpet removal extra

FREE KARASTAN 8LB SPILL BLOCK CUSHION

FREE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF EXISTING CARPET, FREE FURNITURE MOVING

L I V E B E AU T I F U L LY W I T H O U T WO R RY NOW F E AT U R I NG T H E O N LY C A R P E T P R O T E C T I O N AND WARRANTY COVERING ALL PETS. ALL ACCIDENTS. ALL THE TIME.

We Have Onsite Interior Designers

L I V E B E AU T I F U L LY W I T H O U T WO R RY 248-693-9457 616 s. Lapeer road, Lake orion

www.nflooring.com NOW

12 MONTHS SAME AS CASH

F EATURI NG

T H E O N LY C A R P E T P R O T E C T I O N AND WARRANTY COVERING Hours: Mon 10:00AM - 6:00PM, Tue 10:00AM - 7:00PM, WeD 10:00AM - 6:00PM, THu 10:00AM 7:00PM, A L L P E T S .FrIA 10:00AM L L A C-C5:00PM, I D E NsaT T S9:00AM . A L L- 4:00PM, T H E sun T I MCLOSED E.

Before You Visit, See What Our Customers Say About Us Online

Hardwood | Carpet | Wool | Wall Wood | Luxury Vinyl *Financing based on credit approval. Minimum $600 purchase with 30% deposit required. Prior orders exempt. Free installation offer good with carpet and pad purchase / cannot be combined with other sale prices or offers. See store for details.

METROPOLITAN

248-601-3399 Direct: 248-601-1000

Office:

Tour Our Homes at: CoreyandCrew.com Email: Debbie@CoreyandCrew.com

COREY & CREW Full Service Real Estate

Rochester Hills $399,900

Rochester Hills $324,900

Oakland Twp. $594,900

4 bdrms., 3.5 baths, 3 car garage in desirable location near all conveniences.

Kit. w/granite, hardwood flooring, crown molding & stainless appls. Two-story great rm. Updated master bath w/Quartz counters, white cabinetry, new shower & jetted tub. Fin. bsmt. with recreation rm. and bath. Private yard w/stamped concrete patio. New windows, roof and updated mechanicals.

4 bdrms., 2.5 baths on the 7th Tee of Hampton Golf Course. Updated kit. w/granite, stainless appls. & spacious snack bar.  Beautifully updated master bath and powder room. Spacious fam. rm. w/wet bar. Updated windows and beautiful views of the private setting. Stamped concrete patio and lush landscaping. Pride of ownership shows!

Detached Moceri-built condo. First floor master and fin. daylight bsmt.

Three bdrms., 3.5 baths, 2611 sq. ft. with every amenity. Open floor plan for great entertaining. Hardwood flooring, granite and high-end finishes.  Two fireplaces. Luxurious master suite with 2 walk-in closets, granite and dual sinks.Â

Rochester Hills $284,900

Rochester Hills $289,900

Macomb Twp. $344,500

Spacious ranch on 2/3 acre private treed setting. Master bdrm. w/cathedral ceiling leads to deck & overlooks yard. Hdwd. fl. thruout. New kit. w/Quartz counters & stainless appls. New roof, 1st fl. laundry, 3 season porch.

4 bdrms., 3.5 baths. Freshly painted throughout. New carpet throughout. All new windows. Treed yard. Spacious bdrms. Expansive deck. Move-in condition. Desirable subdivision near schools, shopping, Oakland University and freeways.

Still shows like a new home. 4 bdrms., 2.5 baths, 2800 sq. ft. with lib., maple kit. w/granite & center island, extensive hdwd. fl., crown molding & trim. Master suite w/his and hers walk-in closets, sinks and spacious sitting rm.

Romeo $292,900

Macomb Twp. $310,000

Rochester Hills $299,900

Cape Cod with 4 spacious bdrms. Master with walkin closet & private bath.

Finished bsmt. Spacious living rm. with natural fireplace. Library. Two-tierred deck, pool and sidewalks. New roof and furnace.

Newer built with 3 car garage. Move-in condition. Beautiful hardwood flooring. Second floor laundry. Rich kitchen cabinetry, granite and walkin pantry.  Basement plumbed for bath and prepped to finish. Anderson doors.

4 bdrm., 2.5 bath colonial on half-acre private setting in prime Rochester Hills location near schools, freeways and all conveniences.

Fin. walkout basement. Spacious deck. First floor laundry and library.

Hardwood flooring throughout entire home. Neutral dĂŠcor.

Another Corey & Crew Nesting Experience “Debbie helped us sell our current home and purchase a new one. From our first meeting, we could tell she was very knowledgeable about the market. She provided sound advice to help us find the right home for our family. Debbie was always prepared when we met and listened to our specific needs to customize a plan for getting into a new home that we would love. We ended up selling our existing home in less than a week and securing a new home that we feel is perfect for our family. Debbie made the process smooth and easy for us and we are so

happy we selected her to represent us. It is a huge decision to select the right agent. Unfortunately, in my opinion, real estate agents often don’t get the credit and respect they deserve. I can’t imagine trying to do this along on our own.

Debbie was awesome and we highly recommend her. She is awesome and is a sure bet in the real estate industry – knowledgeable, experienced and professional!! Thanks, Debbie� – Chris and Megan Masson, Rochester Hills

2015 REALTOR OF THE YEAR FOR ROCHESTER CHAPTER OF WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS 2015 TOP RE/MAX TEAM IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN FOR NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS AND TEAM COMMISSIONS

)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

DOWNTOWN06.16

17

Tale of Two Cities: Rochester and Birmingham Downtown reporter Kevin Elliott takes a look at how two communities – Rochester and Birmingham – have handled development of their thriving downtown areas..

FROM THE PUBLISHER

10

A perceived if not outright conflict of interest on the part of two Oakland elected officials relative to pending online gambling legislation brings a renewed call for transparency legislation, along with increased ethics rules and financial disclosure.

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

21

Our column on politics/government details the latest gossip, including employee discontent in the county clerk's office; Bloomfield political antics and a madman's ramblings; county hopeful hiring Lansing firm; plus more.

MUNICIPAL

44

PSD business rates going up; Sundial project moving ahead; water, sewer rate hikes; Rochester's new budget; concerns over school traffic; Rochester Hills audit report; lead, copper levels in school water cause concern; plus more.

FRONT/BACK

50

Katie Deska gives us the the latest on what’s happening in the front and the back of the house in metro Detroit area restaurants with a series of short takes on the latest news and gossip for the industry.

THE COVER The Museum at the VanHoosen Farm, located in Stoney Creek Village. The 16-acre museum/farm was home to the Taylor and VanHoosen families dating back to 1823.

Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.

on all newLEASE 2016 &PULL 2017 Cadillac models.

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Use it to get these exceptional leases. Includes Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance for 4 Years or 50,000 Miles2. We provide program that Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Lexus Care cannot match. for 4 Years or 50,000 Useaitmaintenance to get these exceptional leases.

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2016 $ $ 2016 439*CAD 4 LEASE PULL AHEAD IS BACK! 20 CADILLAC ATS $36 * 36 $ Take advantage of our exceptional offers. GM employees with a current 439 CAD 2016 $ GM Lease through GM Financial, Ally, or US Bank receive $750 allowance 4 36 2016 $ * 2016 / 36 / on all new 2016 & 2017 Cadillac models.

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SEDAN TURBO STANDARD COLLECTION SEDAN 2.0L TURBO STANDARD COLLECTION

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Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualifi ed GM Employees and Eligible Family Members whoonly. aremiles.

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No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra.

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SEDAN 2.0L TURBO SEDAN STANDARD COLLECTION ON STANDARD COLLECTION PER MONTHS

$2,589 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS 10,000 MILES PER YEAR PER MONTHS $2,589 DUE ATALL SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS MONTHS PER No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra.

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4401-0516MI

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3 MONTH MONTH3 3 MONTH3 No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles. At participating dealers only.

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CADILLAC ROCHESTER RD. | ROCHESTER, MI 555 S. ROCHESTER RD. | ROCHESTER, MINOW OPEN NO / 36555 S./36 389 36 36 36 SA 439 439 359 359 CRESTVIEW CRESTVIEW LOCATED MINUTES FROM M-59 & 1-75 LOCATED FROM M-59 & 1-75 SERVING WWW.CRESTV WW THE 439 36 439 359 359MINUTES 36 555 S. ROCHESTER RD. | ROCHESTER, MI 36 36 NOW OPEN SA www.crestviewcadillac.com | 855-558-8821 www.crestviewcadillac.com | 855-558-8821 CRESTVIEW CADILLAC SE 36 36CADILLAC 36 36 555 S. ROCHESTER RD. | ROCHESTER, MI LOCATED MINUTES FROM M-59 & 1-75 WWW.CRESTV NO ATS BACK! CRESTVIEW www.crestviewcadillac.com 855-558-8821 LOCATED MINUTES |FROM M-59 & 1-75 W CADILLAC s with a current www.crestviewcadillac.com | 855-558-8821 CADILLAC ROCHESTER, MI $750/allowance 2016 CADILLAC CT6 2016 CADILLAC 2016 |CADILLAC ESCALADE CT6 2016 CADILLA

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$3,649 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS

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4401-0516MI

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No security deposit required. Tax, title, No security deposit and dealer required. extra.

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30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over No security security 30,000 miles. deposit required.

Tax, title, title, No security license, deposit and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles. $3,649 DUE AT SIGNING DUE AT ALL SIGNING OFFERS AFTER ALL OFFERS $3,589 DUErequired.

AT SIGNING $3,589 AFTER DUE AT ALL SIGNING OFFERS AFTER ALL OFFERS No deposit required.

Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra.

Mileage charge over 30,000 miles.

No deposit Tax, license, and dealer fees extra.

Mileage charge over 30,000 miles.

10,000 MILES PER YEAR At dealers At participating dealers only.

At dealers At participating dealers only.

At participating participating dealers only. only.

At participating participating dealers only. only.

10,000 MILES PER 10,000 YEAR MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR 3.6L AWDdeposit LUXURY COLLECTION 3.6L AWD LUXURY COLLECTION 2WD LUXURY No security deposit required. Tax, title, No security license, and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over No security 30,000 miles. deposit required. Tax, title, No security license,deposit and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile dealerCOLLECTION fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles. At participating dealers only.

2016 CT6 CT6 PER2016 CADILLAC XTS *CADILLAC $ 3.6L AWD LUXURY 3.6L COLLECTION AWD LUXURY COLLECTION MONTH 509 SEDAN STANDARD COLLECTION 2016 CADILLAC 2016 CADILLAC CT6 CT6 MONTHS 3.6L AWD LUXURY 3.6L COLLECTION AWD LUXURY COLLECTION At participating dealers only.

s or 50,000 ch.

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36 509** 509 36 36

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At participating dealers only.

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PER$ MONTH33 PER$ MONTHS MONTH3

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Members who are Current GM Lessees.

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MONTHS $3,799 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS $3,899 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER OFFERS $3,899 DUE AT SIGNING AFTERedALL OFFERSand Eligible Family AFTER ALL OFFERS Ultra-Low Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualifi GM Employees w MileageALL Lease for Well-Qualified GM Employees and Eligible$4,059 Family DUE AT SIGNING 10,000 MILES YEAR Members who are Current GM Lessees.

Members who are Current GM Lessees.

10,000PER MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR Ultra-Low Mileage Lease Ultra-Low for Well-Qualifi Mileage ed GM Lease Employees for Well-Qualifi and Eligible ed GM Family Employees and Eligible Ultra-Low Family Mileage Lease Ultra-Low for Well-Qualifi Mileage ed GM Lease Employees for Well-Qualifi and Eligible ed GM Family Employees and Eligible Family Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualifi ed GM Employees and Eligible Family Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualifi ed GM Employees and Eligible Family . Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

At participating only.

No security depositdealers required.

Tax, $3,649 title, license, and dealerAT extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

No security deposit required. Tax, title, No security license, deposit and dealer required. fees SIGNING extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and25¢/mile dealer ALL fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles.charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

DUE SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS $3,589 DUE AT AFTER OFFERS Members who areonly.

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At participating dealers At participating dealers At GM participating dealers only.

10,000 MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR $3,899 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER OFFERS and EligibleUltra-Low $4,059 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER OFFERS and Eligible Family Ultra-Low Mileage Ultra-Low for Well-Qualifi Mileage ed GM Lease Employees for Well-Qualifi and Eligible edALL GMFamily Employees Family DUE Mileage Ultra-Low for Well-Qualifi Mileage ed GM Lease Employees for Well-Qualifi and Eligible edALL GMFamily Employees $3,899 DUE ATLease SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS $4,059 ATLease SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS NoGM security deposit Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

No GM security deposit Tax, title,GM license, and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

Members who are PER Current Members Lessees. who required. are PER Current GM Lessees.

Members who are PER Current Members Lessees. whorequired. are PER Current Lessees.

10,000 MILES YEAR 10,000 MILES YEAR 10,000 MILES YEAR 10,000 MILES YEAR

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$

639 36

* PER MONTH

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3

©2016 General Moto

MONTHS

Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualifi Members who are Current GM Lessees.

$4,059 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER 10,000 MILES PER YEAR

No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and deal At participating dealers only.

SERVING THE METRO DETROIT AREA FOR 25 YEARS SERVING THE METRO DETROIT AREA FOR 25 YEARS 555 S.MILES ROCHESTER RD. | ROCHESTER, MI 10,000 PER YEAR 10,000the MILES PER YEAR 10,000 MILES PER YEAR MILES PER25 YEAR Years Serving Metro Detroit Area for NOW OPEN SATURDAYS: SALES & SERVICE SALES 10AM - 10,000 3PM NOW |OPEN SERVICE SATURDAYS: 8AM - 1PM SALES & SERVICE SALES 10AM - 3PM 2016 CADILLAC CT6 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE LOCATED MINUTES FROM M-59 & 1-75 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM | 855-558-8821 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM | 855-558-8821 SERVING METRO DETROIT FOR 25SALES YEARS SERVING THE METRO THE DETROIT AREA FOR&25AREA YEARS NOW OPEN SATURDAYS: SALES SERVICE 10AM - 3PM SERVICE 8AM - 1PM 3.6L AWD LUXURY COLLECTION 2WD |LUXURY COLLECTION CHESTER, MI MI NOW OPEN SATURDAYS: SALES & SERVICE SALES 10AM 3PM | SERVICE 8AM 1PM 8-8821 www.crestviewcadillac.com | 855-558-8821 NOW OPEN SATURDAYS: SALES & SERVICE SALES 10AM 3PM | SERVICE 8AM 1PM SERVING THE SERVING METROPER THE DETROIT METRO AREA DETROIT FOR 25AREA YEARS FOR 25 YEARS PER CHESTER, MI & 1-75MINOW * MONTH * MONTH -59 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM | 855-558-8821 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM | 855-558-8821 OPEN$SATURDAYS: NOW OPEN SATURDAYS: SALES & SERVICE SALESSALES & SERVICE 10AMSALES -$3PM 10AM | SERVICE - 3PM 8AM | SERVICE - 1PM 8AM - 1PM 509 639 -59 & 1-75 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM 8-8821 | 855-558-8821 WWW.CRESTVIEWCADILLAC.COM | 855-558-8821MONTHS 555 S. ROCHESTER RD.| 855-558-8821 | ROCHESTER, 36 MONTHS 36MI LOCATED MINUTES FROM M-59 & 1-75 8-8821 | 855-558-8821 At participating dealers only.

At participating dealers only. $3,899 DUErequired.

AT SIGNING AFTER DUE AT ALL SIGNING OFFERS AFTER ALL OFFERS $4,059 DUErequired.

AT SIGNING $4,059 AFTER DUE AT ALL SIGNING OFFERS AFTER ALL OFFERS No security security deposit deposit required.

Tax, $3,899 title, No security license, deposit and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over No security security 30,000 miles. deposit required.

Tax, title, title, No security license, deposit and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

No Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra.

Mileage charge over 30,000 miles.

No deposit Tax, license, and dealer fees extra.

Mileage charge over 30,000 miles.

MI

EW AC www.crestviewcadillac.com | 855-558-8821 At At participating participating dealers dealers only. only.

At participating dealers only.

At At participating participating dealers dealers only. only.

At participating dealers only.

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Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over No security 30,000 miles. deposit required. Tax, title, No security license,deposit and dealer required. fees extra.

Tax, title, Mileage license, charge and 25¢/mile dealer fees over extra.

30,000 Mileage miles. charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

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At participating dealers only.

At participating dealers only.

At participating dealers only.

|

1. Must have a current GM lease through GM Financial, Ally or US Bank. Not available with some other offers. Take delivery by 6/30/16. See dealer for details.

2. Whichever comes first. Go to cadillac.com/Premiumcare for details.

1. Must have 3. Must a current have aGM current lease GM through leaseGM through Financial, GM Financial, Ally or USAlly Bank. or US NotBank. available Payments with some are for other a 2016 offers. Take CT6 3.6Ldelivery by 6/30/16. See dealer for details.

2. Whichever comes first. Go to cadillac.com/Premiumcare for details.

3. Must have a c AWD Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $61,390. 36 monthly payments total $18,324. Payments are for a 2016 ATS 2.0L Turbo Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $36,240. 36 monthly payments total $10,044. Payments AWDare Luxury for a Collection 2016 CTS Sedan with anStandard MSRP ofCollection $61,390. 36 with monthly an MSRP payments of $46,555. total 36 $18,324. monthly Payments payments aretotal for a$14,004.

2016 ATS 2.0L Turbo Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $36,240. 36 monthly payments total $10,044. Payments are for a 2016 CTS Se Payments are for a 2016 XTS Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $46,290. 36 monthly payments total $15,804. Payments are for a 2017 XT5 Crossover Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $45,890. 36 monthly payments Payments total $12,924. are for Payments a 2016 XTSare Sedan for aStandard 2016 Escalade Collection 2WDwith Luxury an Collection MSRP of $46,290. with an 36 MSRP monthly of $78,040. payments 36 monthly total $15,804. Payments are for a 2017 XT5 Crossover Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $45,890. 36 monthly payments total $12,924. Paymen payments total $23,004. Payments may be higher in some states. Option to purchase at lease end date for an amount to be determined at lease signing. GM Financial must approve lease. Take delivery by 6/30/16. Mileage charge payments of $.25/mile total $23,004. over 30,000 Payments miles.may Lessee be higher pays for in some maintenance, states. Option excess towear purchase and aatdisposition lease end fee dateoffor $595 an amount or to be determined at lease signing. GM Financial must approve lease. Take delivery by 6/30/16. Mileage charge of $.25/mile over 30 less at end of lease. Not available with some other offers. ©2016 General Motors. Cadillac® ATS® CTS® CT6® SRX® XT5® XTS® Escalade® less at end of lease. Not available with some other offers. ©2016 General Motors. Cadillac® ATS® CTS® CT6® SRX® XT5® XTS® Escalade®

3

1

3

1.

1. Must have Ally a US current Bank.

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Go for details.

2. Whicheverfor comes details. first. Go 3.

Must cadillac.com/Premiumcare have through details.

GM 3. Must have Ally a US current Bank.

Payments lease through are a Financial, CT6 Ally or US Bank. Payments are for a 2016 CT6 3.6L 1. Must Must have have a a current current GM GM lease lease through through GM GM Financial, Financial, Ally or or US Bank.

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6/30/16.

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2.

Whichever comes fi fi rst.dealer Go to to cadillac.com/Premiumcare cadillac.com/Premiumcare for details.

3. to Must have a a current current GM GM lease leasefor through GM Financial, Financial, Ally or or US Bank.GM Payments are for forGM a 2016 2016 CT6 3.6L 3.6L AWD AWD 36 monthly Collection payments with total an$18,324.

MSRP ofPayments $61,390. 36 are for payments ATS total Turbo $18,324.

Sedan Standard Collection for a 2016 with an 2.0L Turbo of Sedan Standard 36 Collection payments with total an$10,044.

MSRP ofPayments $36,240. 36 are for payments CTS totalStandard $10,044. Payments Collection with an 2016 CTS of Sedan Standard 36 Collection payments with total an$14,004.

MSRP of $46,555. 36 monthly payments total $14,004.

AWD Luxury Luxury Collection Collection with with an an MSRP MSRP of of $61,390. $61,390.

36Luxury monthly payments total $18,324.

Payments aremonthly for a a 2016 2016 ATS 2.0L 2.0L Turbo SedanPayments Standard are Collection withATS an MSRP MSRP of $36,240. $36,240.

36 monthly monthly payments total $10,044.

Payments aremonthly for a a 2016 2016 CTS Sedan Sedan Standard Collection are withfor anaMSRP MSRP of $46,555. $46,555.

36 monthly monthly payments total $14,004.

Payments are are for for a a 2016 2016 XTS XTS Sedan Sedan Standard Standard Collection Collection Payments with with are for anaMSRP MSRP 2016 of of XTS $46,290.

Sedan Standard 36 monthly monthly Collection payments with total an$15,804. $15,804.

MSRP ofPayments Payments $46,290. 36 aremonthly for a a 2017 2017 payments XT5 Crossover Crossover total $15,804.

LuxuryPayments Collectionare with foran an a 2017 MSRPXT5 of $45,890. $45,890.

Crossover 36Luxury monthly Collection payments with total an$12,924. $12,924.

MSRP ofPayments Payments $45,890. 36 aremonthly for a a 2016 2016 payments Escalade total 2WD $12,924.

LuxuryPayments Collectionare with foran an a 2016 MSRPEscalade of $78,040. $78,040.

2WD 36Luxury monthly Collection with an MSRP of $78,040. 36 monthly Payments an $46,290.

36 payments total are for XT5 Luxury Collection with MSRP of 36 monthly payments total are for Escalade 2WD Luxury Collection with MSRP of 36 monthly payments total total $23,004. $23,004. Payments Payments may may be be higher higher payments in some some total states. $23,004.

Option Payments to purchase purchase mayat atbelease lease higher end indate date somefor for states. an amount amount Optionto totobe be purchase determined at lease at lease lease end signing. signing. date forGM GM an amount Financialtomust must be determined approve lease. lease. at lease Takesigning. deliveryGM byFinancial 6/30/16. Mileage Mileage must approve chargelease. of $.25/mile $.25/mile Take delivery over 30,000 30,000 by 6/30/16. miles.Mileage Lessee charge pays for forofmaintenance, maintenance, $.25/mile over excess 30,000 wear miles. andLessee a disposition disposition pays forfee fee maintenance, of $595 $595 or or excess wear and a disposition fee of $595 or payments in states.

Option to end an determined at Financial approve Take delivery by 6/30/16. charge of over miles.

Lessee pays excess wear and a of less at at end of of lease. Not Not available available with with some some other other less off off at ers. ers. end of lease. ©2016 Not General available Motors. with Cadillac® Cadillac® some other ATS® offers.

CTS® CT6® CT6® ©2016 SRX® General XT5® XTS® XTS® Motors.

Escalade® Cadillac® ATS® CTS® CT6® SRX® XT5® XTS® Escalade® less ©2016 General Motors.

ATS® SRX® XT5® Escalade® 1.

Must end have alease. current GM lease through GM Financial, 1. Must have Ally or a US current Bank.

GM Not lease available through with GM some Financial, otherCTS® Ally offers. Take or US Bank. delivery Not available by 6/30/16. with See some dealer other foroff details. ers. Take 2. delivery Whichever by 6/30/16. comes fi See rst.dealer Go to cadillac.com/Premiumcare for details.

2. Whicheverfor comes details. first. Go 3. to Must cadillac.com/Premiumcare have a current GM leasefor through details.

GM Financial, 3. Must have Ally or a US current Bank.GM Payments lease through are forGM a 2016 Financial, CT6 3.6L Ally or US Bank. Payments are for a 2016 CT6 3.6L AWD Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $61,390.

AWD 36Luxury monthly Collection payments with total an$18,324.

MSRP ofPayments $61,390. 36 aremonthly for a 2016 payments ATS 2.0L total Turbo $18,324.

SedanPayments Standard are Collection for a 2016 withATS an MSRP 2.0L Turbo of $36,240.

Sedan Standard 36 monthly Collection payments with total an$10,044.

MSRP ofPayments $36,240. 36 aremonthly for a 2016 payments CTS Sedan totalStandard $10,044. Payments Collection are withfor anaMSRP 2016 CTS of $46,555.

Sedan Standard 36 monthly Collection payments with total an$14,004.

MSRP of $46,555. 36 monthly payments total $14,004.

Payments are for a 2016 XTS Sedan Standard Collection Payments with are for anaMSRP 2016 of XTS $46,290.

Sedan Standard 36 monthly Collection payments with total an$15,804.

MSRP ofPayments $46,290. 36 aremonthly for a 2017 payments XT5 Crossover total $15,804.

LuxuryPayments Collectionare with foran a 2017 MSRPXT5 of $45,890.

Crossover 36Luxury monthly Collection payments with total an$12,924.

MSRP ofPayments $45,890. 36 aremonthly for a 2016 payments Escalade total 2WD $12,924.

LuxuryPayments Collectionare with foran a 2016 MSRPEscalade of $78,040.

2WD 36Luxury monthly Collection with an MSRP of $78,040. 36 monthly payments total $23,004. Payments may be higher payments in some total states. $23,004.

Option Payments to purchase mayatbelease higher end indate somefor states. an amount Optiontotobe purchase determined at lease at lease end signing. date forGM an amount Financialtomust be determined approve lease. at lease Takesigning. deliveryGM byFinancial 6/30/16. Mileage must approve chargelease. of $.25/mile Take delivery over 30,000 by 6/30/16. miles.Mileage Lessee charge pays forofmaintenance, $.25/mile over excess 30,000 wear miles. andLessee a disposition pays forfee maintenance, of $595 or excess wear and a disposition fee of $595 or less at end of lease. Not available with some other less off at ers. end of lease. ©2016 Not General available Motors. with Cadillac® some other ATS® offers.

CTS® CT6® ©2016 SRX® General XT5® XTS® Motors.

Escalade® Cadillac® ATS® CTS® CT6® SRX® XT5® XTS® Escalade®

w

1. Must have a current GM lease through GM Financial, Ally or US Bank. Not available with some other offers. Take delivery by 6/30/16. See dealer for details. 2. Whichever comes first. Go to cadillac.com/Premiumcare for details. 3. Must have a current GM lease through GM Financial, Ally or US Bank. Payments are for a 2016 CT6 3.6L AWD Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $61,390. 36 monthly payments total $18,324. Payments are for a 2016 ATS 2.0L Turbo Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $36,240. 36 monthly payments total $10,044. Payments are for a 2016 CTS Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $46,555. 36 monthly payments total $14,004. Payments are for a 2016 XTS Sedan Standard Collection with an MSRP of $46,290. 36 monthly payments total $15,804. Payments are for a 2017 XT5 Crossover Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $45,890. 36 monthly payments total $12,924. Payments are for a 2016 Escalade 2WD Luxury Collection with an MSRP of $78,040. 36 monthly payments total $23,004. Payments may be higher in some states. Option to purchase at lease end date for an amount to be determined at lease signing. GM Financial must approve lease. Take delivery by 6/30/16. Mileage charge of $.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Lessee pays for maintenance, excess wear and a disposition fee of $595 or less at end of lease. Not available with some other off ers. ©2016 General Motors.

Cadillac® ATS® CTS® CT6® SRX® XT5® XTS® Escalade®

Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualified GM Employees and Eligible Family Members who are Current GM Lessees.

Ultra-Low Mileage Lease for Well-Qualified GM Employees and Eligible Family Members who are Current GM Lessees.

No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

At participating dealers only.

No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge 25¢/mile over 30,000 miles.

At participating dealers only.

$3,899 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS 10,000 MILES PER YEAR

$4,059 DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS 10,000 MILES PER YEAR

25

Military recruiting in schools High schools across the country are required to give access to student information for military recruiters or risk losing federal funds.

36 Every day phthalate threat Phthalates are in make-up, the plastic bottles from which you drink, the cards you drive – just as starters. And they are a health threat.

22

Tom Daldin

BUSINESS MATTERS

55

LeConta Fine Men's Apparel; Rochester Salvage and Supply; East Street Home; Gearbox Rx; Royal Park Hotel; Meason USA.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

56

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

ENDNOTE

62

Our thoughts on the successful growth and management of cities, as exemplified by Rochester and Birmingham.

FACES

22 35 42 54

Tom Daldin Kelly DiPucchio Michael Manasseri Peter Vanderkaay

5(68/76

(;3(5,(1&( ' (',&$7,21

Over 20 Years Experience In The Market That Matters Most...Yours!

A TRUE ROCHESTER GEM

&$// &$521

72'$<

327 WYNGATE, ROCHESTER ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT, 4 SPACIOUS BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHS, 2 HALF BATHS. DUAL STAIRCASES, PRISTINE HARDWOOD FLOORS & FINISHED BASEMENT W/WET BAR, EXERCISE ROOM, MEDIA AREA - PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING. GORGEOUS GRANITE KITCHEN W/FIREPLACE/HEARTH, FRENCH DOORS LEADING OUT TO THE BEAUTIFUL PAVER PATIO. STONY CREEK RIDGE SWIM/TENNIS. $624,000. CALL CARON!

Caron Koteles Riha Associate Broker

Rochester/Rochester Hills/Oakland Twp - May 2016

S O L D

ADDRESS 1801 N Rochester Road 452 Wedington Court 3722 Winding Brook Circle 3709 Winding Brook Circle 1325 N Rochester Road 763 Denham Lane 618 E Nawakwa Road 1120 Clear Creek 650 Robinson Drive 903 Lafayette 1516 Charter Oak 1389 Paddle Wheel Lane 1725 Lochinvar Boulevard 457 Lexington Drive 250 Meadow Bridge 3222 Summit Ridge 401 Miller Avenue 3864 Samuel Avenue 22 Cloverport Avenue 1296 Rock Valley 4037 Oak Tree Circle 1719 Devonwood 258 Parkland 1110 Willow Grove Court 1319 W Fairview Lane 3495 Heron Ridge 3223 Greenwood Drive 3232 Topview Court 2500 Royal View 3105 Saint Clair Drive 3188 Lexham Lane 1375 Kentfield Minimum Average Maximum

List Price $209,900 $399,000 $430,000 $449,000 $189,000 $289,900 $375,000 $669,900 $564,900 $115,000 $118,500 $150,000 $229,000 $309,800 $129,500 $399,999 $69,000 $155,000 $235,000 $349,900 $569,900 $429,900 $285,000 $210,000 $269,900 $447,500 $124,000 $279,000 $829,000 $194,900 $399,900 $544,900 $69,000 $325,662 $829,000

Sale Price $206,000 $390,000 $418,000 $430,000 $175,000 $290,000 $340,000 $654,000 $744,834 $109,000 $119,000 $152,000 $226,000 $290,000 $127,500 $399,999 $64,500 $165,000 $230,000 $360,000 $543,000 $420,000 $285,000 $210,000 $265,000 $445,000 $124,000 $264,500 $750,000 $199,900 $400,000 $535,000 $64,500 $322,882 $750,000

Beds Baths 4 3 4 3.1 3 2.1 3 2.1 3 2 4 2.1 4 2.1 4 3.1 5 5 2 1.1 2 1.2 2 2 3 1.1 3 2.1 2 2 4 2.1 1 1 3 1 5 2 2 2 4 3.2 4 3 3 2 3 2.1 4 2.1 4 3.1 3 1 3 2 5 5.1 3 2 5 4 4 3.2

Sqft Total 1,780 2,782 2,953 2,696 2,199 2,370 3,228 3,962 4,544 950 1,128 1,224 1,184 1,838 1,118 3,245 611 1,084 1,820 1,916 3,983 3,094 1,652 1,407 2,100 3,808 862 2,007 5,760 1,884 3,434 3,422 611 2376 5760

Price/Sqft $115.73 $140.19 $141.55 $159.50 $79.58 $122.36 $105.33 $165.07 $163.92 $114.74 $105.50 $124.18 $190.88 $157.78 $114.04 $123.27 $105.56 $152.21 $126.37 $187.89 $136.33 $135.75 $172.52 $149.25 $126.19 $116.86 $143.85 $131.79 $130.21 $106.10 $116.48 $156.34 $79.58 $135.87 $190.88

Close Date 5/1/2016 5/2/2016 5/2/2016 5/2/2016 5/3/2016 5/3/2016 5/3/2016 5/3/2016 5/3/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/5/2016 5/5/2016 5/6/2016 5/6/2016 5/6/2016 5/6/2016 5/6/2016 5/7/2016 5/9/2016 5/10/2016 5/10/2016 5/10/2016 5/11/2016 5/11/2016 5/11/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016

For a full list of May Sales, visit www.RochesterListings.com Call Caron directly for the SERVICE, DEDICATION and RESULTS you deserve.

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956 HOMESTEAD CT, ROCHESTER HILLS 4 BEDROOMS, 2.5 BATHS, MULTIPLE FIREPLACES, REMODELED KITCHEN W/STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, QUARTZ, HARDWOOD, SPACIOUS BREAKFAST NOOK. FORMAL DINING ROOM & LIVING ROOM. WHOLE HOUSE GENERATOR, REMODELED BATHROOMS, NEWER ROOF IN 2009. FINISHED BASEMENT W/ BAR, STORAGE ROOMS & REC ROOM. $296,800. CALL CARON!

3550 N CENTURY OAK CIRCLE, OAKLAND TWP 5 BEDROOM 4 FULL BATHS, FULLY FIN W/O BSMT. GOURMET KITCHEN W/GRANITE, LG FORMAL DRM. LRM OFFERS LRG ENTERTAINING SPACES. BEAUTIFUL DECK & YARD, CENTURY OAKS & ROCHESTER SCHOOLS. $747,700. CALL CARON!

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FROM THE PUBLISHER early May hearing before a Michigan Senate committee of which Mike Kowall is a member.

s a general rule, gathering information each month and finally sitting down to bang out my column for the current issue, I attempt to avoid revisiting a subject on which I have recently written. But this month I feel I had little choice but to return once more to the topic of the lack of transparency in the halls of the Michigan legislature, and the need for increased regulations relative to ethical concerns.

A

Detroit Free Press writer Paul Egan broke with a story on May 15 outlining what has all the appearances of a conflict of interest on the part of Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall, a Republican representing the 15th District, which includes West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake and a number of west Oakland lakes area communities, and his wife Eileen, currently an Oakland County Commissioner from District 6, comprising White Lake, where they reside, and part of Waterford.

I should at this point acknowledge that I have known Mike Kowall for a number of years, dating back to when he was first in the Michigan House in the 1998-2002 period and then as supervisor for White Lake Township before first being elected to the Senate in 2010, having covered him as I ran a western Oakland County publishing group for over three decades.

As far as someone in my position can legitimately have friends who are in government, I would consider both Mike and Eileen in that class.

Like everyone else, that does not give them, so to speak, a “get out of jail card” if they cross an ethical line, real or perceived, which they very well may have in this case because it certainly does not pass the proverbial smell test.

Eileen Kowall is a registered lobbyist with the state of Michigan, employed by MGS Consultants of Lansing. Nothing new there. Our Oakland Confidential gossip column first carried that information a couple of months earlier. Interestingly, when confronted with a question about her lobbying while on the county board, Eileen responded that she has maintained a low profile on the issue because “people will use it to attack me,” especially if she seeks to replace her husband in the Michigan Senate when his current term expires. Eileen was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2009-2014, and prior to that was a county commissioner from 2003-2008.

Detroit Free Press reporter Egan's piece quoted MGS Consultants founder Jeremiah Mankopf as saying that there was no conflict because he was actually the lead member of his firm that was working on the Internet gaming bill and has been for a number of years, long before Eileen Kowall was hired, after she left the House in December of 2014, rejoined the county board of commissioners and then became a registered lobbyist in February of 2015. Mike Kowall, the Detroit Free Press tells us, dismissed the possible conflict because his wife is not “working directly” on this project, even though she attended the early May hearing with other members of MGS Consultants.

Unfortunately, we have no way of attempting to confirm what we are being told by Senator Kowall because the rules and law are lacking when it comes financial disclosure, conflict of interest and access to lawmakers' records because they were essentially not included in any government disclosure legislation that has been adopted in the past.

So I use this space, once again, to ask readers of this publication to take a moment to weigh in with their state Representatives and Senators to urge passage of pending legislation (Legislative Open Records Act) and extension of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the governor's office. The two, which have now moved to the House floor, would allow the public and the press to use the FOIA to gain access to documents in situations like this.

Some of you already e-mailed me when you took time to do this back in April, but we need even more of you to help bring pressure on behalf of these proposals, although they are not perfect and just a start on reforming how business is conducted in Lansing.

If we can get this legislation passed, then work can start – either through the legislature (doubtful) or a ballot issue – to require some form of financial disclosure on the part of Lansing officials and some restriction – at least a waiting period – on the revolving door that allows lawmakers to leave office and then immediately begin lobbying their former colleagues, and other mandates on legislative ethics. All long overdue.

Michigan Senate

Her duel income position and possible conflicts were noted, I am told, by more than one person at the recent Senate GOP Annual Fundraiser in Lansing, with one fellow lobbyist even noting that she was going to have to “decide between the two soon,” perhaps an omen of what the couple is now facing.

Eileen's lobbying firm/employer, a five employee operation, has been retained by the Amaya Gaming Group, a subsidiary of Amaya Services Ltd., a Canadian online gaming company that is pushing nationally and on a state-by-state basis to get online gambling and poker playing legalized in this country. MGS Consultants of Lansing, first formed in 2007, is ranked by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network as number 17 among the top 200 lobbying firms in our state.

Mike Kowall, now in his second term as a senator and as Majority Floor Leader, is one of the prime proponents of Senate Bill 889 that would open the door for Internet gambling by existing state casinos. Among the multiple backers of this bill is the Amaya Gaming Group, which sent officials to an

Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills: Marty Knollenberg – senmknollenberg@senate.michigan.gov Bloomfield Township, Oakland Township: Jim Marleau – jimmarleau@senate.michigan.gov Michigan House Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township: Mike McCready – mikemccready@house.mi.gov Rochester, Rochester Hills: Michael Webber – michaelwebber@house.mi.gov David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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uburban sprawl, the mantra of the second half of the twentieth century, appears to be gasping its last breaths as baby boomers and Millennials alike are seeking cities providing walkability as part of a multi-modal plan in residential, commercial and entertainment districts. Known in the municipal planning field as New Urbanism, it is a process which promotes walkable communities with a mix of housing, businesses and retail establishments while focusing also on local history and ecology. Embraced locally in the 1990s and 2000s, the process continues today to be the dominant trend in urban design, and one that has helped the downtown areas of Birmingham and Rochester continue to flourish, each in its unique way.

At first look, the downtown areas of Birmingham and Rochester couldn't appear more different, with one a mini-city and the other a

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THE TALE OF TWO CITIES MANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ROCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

homey town, but a closer look shows there are as many similarities linking the two municipalities as there are differences that make each a vital and unique part of the communities where they are located. eparated by just 17 miles, each city provides a walkable downtown experience for its residents and surrounding communities. With hundreds of thriving businesses in each downtown and two of the highest business occupancy rates of any community in the state, both Birmingham and Rochester seem to have found success.

"It is going exceptionally well. Extraordinarily well because as it happens, people have the feeling that it has always been there, but it hasn't in fact," said Andres Duany, an urban planner from Miami, and mastermind of Birmingham's 2016 Master Plan, which has guided downtown planning in the city for the past two decades.

A renowned architect, Duany is one of the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism. As the organizing body for New Urbanism, it advocates for the restructuring of public policy and development practices to support neighborhoods that are diverse in use and population; communities that are designed for pedestrians, as well as transit and cars; physically defined and accessible public spaces and community institutions; and urban places framed by architecture and landscape that celebrate local history, climate, ecology and building practices.

As one of the pioneers of New Urbanism, city leaders in Birmingham hired Duany, along with other firms, to assist with a 20year plan for developing the community's downtown. Released in 1996, the plan was updated in 2014 when Duany returned to Birmingham to weigh in on the city's progress.

"Credit needs to be given for three things," he said. "First, it's a wealthy community, and that always helps. Two, there is fantastic political and cultural leadership. Three, the parking garages existed prior to our coming. That made things an awful lot easier."

Today, Birmingham is home to more than 600 businesses, drawing more than five million visitors each year, not including those that work in the downtown area. There is more than 3.5 million square feet of retail and office space, with a retail occupancy rate of about 98 percent.

It's somewhat ironic that one of the major challenges to developing walkable downtown communities remains the key to the area's affluence â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the automobile. In this case, where to park it.

"In a community that doesn't have the means to keep restaurants and shops open, that doesn't have a tax base to build parking garages, it would be a different strategy,â&#x20AC;? Duany said. "It's a very privileged place."

Parking, specifically for those who work in the city during the day, continues to be a challenge for Birmingham, as well as downtown Rochester. Also boasting an occupancy rate of about 98 percent, downtown Rochester is home to about 450 businesses, including roughly 225 retail shops, restaurants and salons. Along with special events throughout the year, the downtown draws in more than one million people each year. To accommodate parking in the downtown area, the city developed two downtown parking decks in 2015 at a cost of about $12 million, providing 555 new parking spots.

"During the day, there is more than enough parking," said Nik Banda, deputy city manager and director of economic development for the city of Rochester. "On the weekend, it's just about right. It was built more for that, and we should be good for at least five years."

However, some workers downtown say the cost of parking in the downtown area for an entire day is an expense some can't afford.

Claudette DiFelice, who works at The Urban Merchant, 314 S. Main Street, in Rochester, said the business moved to downtown from Romeo in June of 2015 because many of the store's customers were from the Rochester area. While business has been good at the new location, she said parking passes must be renewed every three months, and can be costly. Meanwhile an employee at The Home Bakery, 300 S. Main Street, discussed the parking situation with a customer on a spring morning.

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"It's hard for people who work downtown, part-time, to afford parking," she said.

In Birmingham, success has caused a parking crisis, with some larger businesses located downtown having difficulty securing passes for their employees to utilize the city's parking structures, said planning commissioner Robin Boyle, who is a professor of urban planning at Wayne State University.

"We have some challenges. The first is one that we have been dealing with for a long time and it doesn't want to go away. That's the parking challenge," Boyle said. "Birmingham is blessed with having five parking decks, and many are filled. It's extremely difficult.

"One challenge is that office and commercial businesses want to secure monthly passes for employees and they aren't able to get them.

And retailers are concerned with so much on-street parking that customers can't find parking adjacent to the shops. There's still some reluctance from shoppers going to the decks, and they hunt for parking and it increases congestion on the streets."

Birmingham has about 684 businesses located in its central business district, with about 323 retail locations, including some 59 restaurants and 58 salons and/or spas. In total, the city has about 1.5 million square feet of first-floor retail space in the downtown. However, it's the 2.2 million square feet of office space that helps differentiate Birmingham's downtown from Rochester and others throughout suburban Oakland County.

"That's quite a bit, and it's unique for a (suburban) downtown to have that much," said John Heiney, executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD). "McCann came in 2006 from Troy. They wanted a downtown experience. That has been a big trend, especially with advertising agencies and creative endeavors. And that does work together to support restaurants."

As one of the largest employers downtown, McCann World Group employees about 750 employees. Of the total office space in the city, about 90 percent is occupied. Major employers in Birmingham include Google, Clark Hill law firm, Universal McCann, Munder Capital Management and other law, financial, architectural and advertising firms, growing the downtown's daytime population to nearly 14,000.

While Heiney said the BSD has a seat at the table when it comes to parking, overall, the issue is headed up by the city's engineer.

"With the influx of office, we have had a strain on the parking system, and the city is looking into that," Heiney said. "The BSD has been doing valet parking on the street during road construction, but the city has plans for long-term parking expansion. They are looking at expanding the North Old Woodward structure, behind the Google building." irmingham's Shopping District, formerly called the Principal Shopping District (PSD), was created in 1992 as the first of its kind in the state. The formation of the PSD authorized the development or redevelopment of principal shopping districts and business improvement districts in Michigan.

They are permitted in a local municipality with a master plan that includes an urban design plan designating a principle shopping district. The city formed its shopping district after several years of a few merchants working, and paying, for events to bring shoppers into the city.

Leveraging a special assessment on business owners in the downtown area, the BSD collects about $875,000 in assessments each year to market the downtown and promote numerous special events.

The BSD also receives about $125,000 in sponsorships and fees each year. It conducts some maintenance and improvement programs for the downtown, including providing lavish floral displays in the downtown area, with major infrastructure improvements and projects handled by the city.

The assessment to businesses, which is in addition to standard property taxes, are done on a four-tier system, with first floor retail locations paying the highest rate, of about 49 cents per square foot, charged on an annual basis to landlords who pay pass it through to their tenants. On the lower side of the assessment are upper floor

B

businesses located outside the central business district, which pay about 9 cents per square foot.

"If you have a commercial space in the boundaries, then you're assessed," Heiney said. "There is no opt out or choice. If you're in the district, you pay the assessment."

In return, the BSD focuses on marketing, special events, business development and maintenance.

"We haven't done large projects," Heiney said. "We do the flower baskets and we do sidewalk snow removal in the district. We have an agreement with the city to do basic street cleaning and public trash receptacles. Those are some of the improvements." he BSD assessments also follow development ordinances, which regulate retail shops, restaurants and salons to first floor uses, while services such as real estate, attorneys offices, advertising companies, and other uses not reliant on foot traffic to use higher floors. However, what constitutes as "retail" is often stretched.

"It's a work in progress," said Birmingham commissioner Stuart Sherman. "We want to encourage first floor retail. It enhances the walkability of the downtown and the interest. It's not real interesting to walk by an office."

In terms of marketing, the main functions of the BSD focuses on three major advertising campaigns each year, focused on print, some television and broadcast spots over the holiday season, as well as a great deal of online advertising.

However, the BSD's retail leasing program, which started in 2009, is unique and has been one of the keys to facilitating new business downtown.

"When Jacobsen's left their 100,000 square-foot buildings in 2002, the retail was really impacted, and national retailers all started to pull out. Vacancy was on the rise," Heiney said. "By 2007, we had a concerted effort to identify retailers that make sense for Birmingham and to actively recruit them."

Heiney said market research shows that those who do shop in Birmingham tend to be from the area and surrounding communities.

The typical shopper is a female, over 40 years old, with an income of $150,000 per year or more.

"It's a high-income demographic, but we draw from dozens of zip codes throughout metro Detroit," he said. "We have strong dining, salons and spas, which typically draws people from farther away."

Retail consultant Julie Fielder was brought in by the Birmingham BSD in 2009 to recruit new businesses. However, prior to recruiting new tenants, she said the BSD looked at the existing mix of local businesses, which include Tender, Linda Dresner, Lark, Shades, and numerous jewelers, in the downtown area and asked what would strengthen the area. It was then, she said, that they decided to bring in more national retailers which could add appeal to the city's customer base.

"With that, everybody — all the existing retailers — do well," she said. "When you bring in stores that appeal to the trade area, and you have more customers and more repeat visits, then you get more traffic in the downtown area and everyone does well."

Still, Fielder said there is no intention to compete with indoor malls for tenants.

"My background was 25 years in the mall leasing business, so I understand the differences," she said. "We have our own attributes.

What we are doing is getting our message out there about what a great community Birmingham is. It's completely different than an enclosed shopping district."

The process, which started in about 2011, resulted in bringing in Paper Source and J. McLaughlin, which Fielder said have both been successful. In 2012, the PSD brought in Lululemon and Francesca's.

More recently, Blue Mercury, Alex and Ani, West Elm and Sara Campbell have opened locations downtown. Local shoe store Sundance will open in July.

"There isn't a lot of space available in Birmingham, so we have to coordinate the space that is available with tenants who are looking to

T

come into the downtown area," Fielder said. "That doesn't allow for more than a couple a year, but we feel those stores we bring in do add something more."

Rochester's Principal Shopping District was created in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives, which collects about $244,000 each year in assessments, ranging from 14 cents per square foot to 23 cents per square foot, on an annual basis. Additionally, the PSD receives a $150,000 contribution from the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which is focused on addressing capital improvements. The PSD also receives about $290,000 annually from sponsorships and fees.

Rochester's PSD hosts about 100 event days throughout the year, including the city's Fire and Ice Festival; Farmer's Market; Deck Art; The Big, Bright Light Show and other events. Promotional and marketing efforts include publishing In Town magazine, the PSD's website and downtown business directory; funding social media efforts; and other promotions.

Birmingham, unlike Rochester, has no Downtown Development Authority, which is typically focused on the development or redevelopment of the brick and mortar portion of a downtown.

Rochester DDA Director Kristi Trevarrow, said Rochester's downtown has a unique family-oriented feel with a mix of mostly independent businesses.

Trevarrow said marketing focuses on local residents and surrounding communities that don't necessarily have a downtown.

"In terms of our target, we made the decision a couple years ago — we see Rochester as a regional downtown," Trevarrow said.

"When we looked at surveys and research, we pull strongly from surrounding communities, so we feel because they don't have downtowns, we feel we are their downtown.”

Rochester Hills resident John Halsey said he considers Rochester his downtown, despite living in the adjacent community.

"I like the family feel and activities, and there is lots of history," he said while accompanying his second grade daughter on a field trip hosted by the city's historical society throughout downtown.

"When I was younger, we used to go out to Royal Oak and party, but when you get older, you want something you can do with the whole family."

"We are a family downtown," Trevarrow said. "We choose events that have wide appeal. You would never feel uncomfortable there.

As a general matter, once I get them to Rochester once, they will be back. If we can introduce young kids early on, they will come back and be supporters of our district, and maybe even be our future entrepreneurs." ormed in 1982, Rochester's DDA utilizes a tax increment financing mechanism to fund DDA projects inside its boundaries. From 2004 to 2014, the city's DDA collected about $20.3 million in taxes in the DDA district. Major projects included a Main Street makeover in 2012, which included a partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation to rebuild the road and streetscape. Last year, the DDA constructed its second parking platform, with the city contributing about $12 million toward the structures.

By contrast, major infrastructure project in Birmingham are headed up by the city, said Birmingham City Manager Joe Valentine.

"Sections of the downtown are planned for infrastructure improvements over the next few years," he said. "Given its age and usefulness, it will be similar to Rochester's (Main Street improvement). Birmingham is in the same situation, and will have to do the same thing in the next few years."

Rochester's Principal Shopping District was formed out of the city's Downtown Development Authority in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives.

Trevarrow said she believes the downtown area is important to residents because it helps to create memories for people living there.

F

"If people have a place they are proud of and they call it home and make memories, that gives them a strong foundation in their life," she said. "So many people don't have that special place."

For Rochester, those special places downtown are mostly independent stores.

Birmingham has made efforts in recent years to attract national retailers to the city at the same time it is working with its independent merchants. Trevarrow said Rochester is focused on unique businesses.

"There is nothing wrong with national businesses, but if you fill the downtown with only national chains, then what makes your downtown any different than other ones?" she said. "We have never pursued national chains, and that's not what we are looking for. It doesn't speak to our local character, and that's not what people here are looking for. There are a ton of chains surrounding us.

"If you're actively pursuing people, why pursue those that you can find five miles away?â&#x20AC;? Trevarrow continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The businesses have stories as to why they wanted to open a business here. You don't find that with national chains, and you don't get the same buy in because they have so many channels that they have to go through for participation in events." ochester deputy city manager and director of economic development Nik Banda said he works with potential clients to make sure they are a good fit for the city. In doing so, he said, the city's downtown success speaks for itself. However, that doesn't mean every business will do well in the area.

"We protect our brand by protecting their future. If they can't make it, we did something wrong," he said.

An example, he said, was a fish and chip business that relocated to Rochester from Macomb Township. While the business was doing well on Ryan Road, Banda said he told the owner he had doubts about success in Rochester.

"He served up great food in minutes, and people poured in the parking lot and left," he said. "But, I said if you go on Main Street, you won't have parking.

They aren't going to pop in and drive around to park, and get flash-fried food downtown. You won't have the same volume of people coming in on their way home from work."

Banda said the business owner decided to proceed with the move in spite of the warnings. Within eight weeks, the business was closed.

"We were bummed for him," Banda said. "The good news is that we have the pulse from the community. We can't make anyone not go in, but the landlords vet out who they want and who can pay. When they become part of the Rochester family quickly, and they put an effort forward, it's going to work."

Regardless of marketing efforts, much of the character and success of local downtowns revert back to the planning and will of the local government.

Looking back to the start of Birmingham's 2016 plan, Birmingham mayor pro tem and urban planner Mark Nickita said putting forth the best possible plan and implementing it was the key to Birmingham's downtown success.

"The general thinking was that we have a lot of great assets, and it has been established for years as a regional downtown of importance," he said. "The city developed a plan of a downtown for the future, and where we would like to see it. It's a community embraced plan saying 'this is what we want 20 years from now.' There were lots of specifics in there.

"As with anything, there's not one thing, but overall, there were a number of factors. One key was that the plan was widely embraced by the community and clear to the leaders of the city and those that would implement it, and clear to the community, the developers and those in the private sector. There isn't a day in planning that the 2016 plan doesn't come up."

While undertaking a longterm plan and implementing it in Birmingham has been successful, it's now time for a new longterm planning process in Rochester, which is currently underway.

In April, the city hosted a downtown "visioning session," with the DDA and consultant Ron Drake, a nationally recognized planner who focuses on downtowns.

"I was really impressed with the amount of people who attended," Drake said of the crowd of more than 100 people involved in the visioning session. "There seemed to be a buzz in the room about what was going to happen."

Participants were encouraged to come up with a bucket list of what they would like to see in the downtown district in the future, should money not be an issue. Then, instead of saying why ideas won't work, the results will be compiled and published in a report to assist with planning.

"By the time they finished, there was a vibe in the room that felt like something I haven't seen in many places. A camaraderie," he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were so many community leaders and concerned citizens involved who were all in the same room and had a similar direction."

While Drake couldn't say which ideas appeared to be the predominant visions for the future of downtown, he said he believes there will be much agreement.

"There will be a large number of people who agree with the top 10 ideas they came up with because there was such a unity in the group," he said. "I think that will continue as they see the list."

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DOWNTOWN

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip items, both on and off-the-record, compiled by staff members of Downtown. Possible items for this column can be sent to OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

Ebenezer incarnate: Oakland Confidential first heard rumors of staff rumblings at the office of Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown shortly after the Christmas holidays. As the story goes, Brown no longer allowed the staff potluck holiday lunch that reportedly was a tradition of sorts for many years, with the office supposedly kept functioning by various employees taking their turn at the counter while others celebrated. While at first quick to dismiss the complaint, now we are hearing from sources who do not have a “dog in the fight” in this year’s clerk election that there is a sense of unhappiness in general among the staff there. As the tale goes, there have either been staff BROWN defections or talk by others of leaving the office depending on what happens this election season. Some lay the blame for what’s described as a disheartened staff on an aloofness on the part of Brown; others say there is little communication coming from her office.

Charting the future: It’s always interesting to see who shows at the annual Michigan Senate Republican fundraiser each year in terms of who may be prospecting for the future, as the expression goes. Liz Fessler Smith, daughter of former west Oakland Michigan Senator Richard Fessler (eight years in the House and eight in the Senate), made the rounds with her father at this year’s event, which helped bring the total Senate re-election fund to something in the neighborhood of $1.4 million. Liz Fessler Smith, now a candidate for trustee in White Lake Township, spent a couple of years working with the central party committee and other Republican causes, and lost by 245 votes in the 2014 GOP primary for the 44th House district to now incumbent Jim Runestad, who had been a county SMITH commissioner. Some say Runestad has not turned out to be a favorite among the legislative and lobbying crowd, but could possibly still seek the 15th District Michigan Senate seat held now by Senator Mike Kowall, if Mike’s wife, Eileen, former House member and current county commissioner, doesn’t go for it 2018, leaving an open path for Liz as one option for the future.

Bloomfield blusterings: The political campaign in Bloomfield Township is taking its cue from sentiments within Township Hall – meaning its already pretty nasty, with a surveillance tape in the front lobby following a planning commission meeting capturing perennial gadfly Marcia Robovitsky giving the security camera the “finger,” while candidate for trustee Jeff Axt made a crude gesture and township treasurer Dan Devine, who is running for re-election, huddling with them and laughing. This followed an encounter at the planning meeting where many observers believed Axt was trying to provoke supervisor Leo Savoie into a physical confrontation, while Devine watched. Bloomfield Township police have been alerted to attend all meetings, public and private, as protection for staff, trustees, committee members and the public, against certain “rogue” individuals.

Earlier this spring, prior to the April 19 candidate filing deadline, township residents with a landline (fewer and fewer these days) received a 10-minute robocall that, if recipients listened all the way through, appeared to question their loyalty to Devine over Savoie, and seemed to test the waters for a Devine run for supervisor against his nemesis. It looked like Devine chickened out, and will face KEPES trustee Brian Kepes for treasurer in August. Devine did induce cohorts to join a slate to oppose incumbents, with Dave Thomas running against Savoie for supervisor, and Susie Kern running against longtime clerk Jan Roncelli. downtownpublications.com

Kepes is mounting a fierce campaign to challenge the 17-year incumbent, holding a recent fundraiser where 200-plus attended, including every township department head and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who not only endorsed Kepes over Devine, but introduced Kepes to the crowd. At trustee meetings, Kepes has been exposing and challenging Devine’s chronic financial inefficiency, and holding his feet to the fire, despite Devine’s repeated pandering to a few vocal residents. As Kepes said at his fundraiser, referencing Devine’s “whistleblower” lawsuit against Bloomfield Township and Savoie, which was thrown out at the circuit court level in December 2015, but Devine has appealed, costing township residents thousands of dollars, “If you were in the private sector, would you rehire someone for another four years who was suing you?” Devine just launched a re-election website, and while he’s running once again for treasurer, the platform he is espousing PATTERSON targets Savoie, as he repeatedly does in trustee meetings.

Upon seeing the website, one notable, longtime township employee said, “Talk about the ramblings of a madman.”

Rear view mirror: Hindsight isn’t always 20/20. Just ask former state legislator Chuck Moss, who is currently running for the 12th District Oakland County Commission seat currently held by fellow Republican Shelley Goodman Taub. In January, Moss wrote an editorial column for Dome Magazine slamming the Democratic leadership in Flint for the city’s water woes. In the piece, Moss both defends the governor’s slow response to the water crisis, stating “Can you blame the governor for going slow on taking over more functions of a Democratic, African-American political stronghold,” while MOSS throwing Flint officials, then working under the direction of the governor’s appointed emergency manager, under the bus: “So, what’cha got here is a crisis made by policy decided by Democrats, implemented by Democrats, in a city run for decades by Democrats, whose fall is a slow-motion tragedy.” In February, Moss cited a Downtown Publications article about lead with the following epiphany: “I was wrong.” Moss said he’s now working with county officials to address infrastructure needs throughout Oakland County.

Specifically, trying to identify funds to replace aging lead and copper pipes at aging homes. However, Taub recently introduced a resolution to call for a special county committee to look into the matter. “The intent is to call experts from the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office and elsewhere to get info to people who suspect their water isn’t OK,” she said. Meanwhile, Moss said he has hired Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resources Group to assist with his campaign for Taub’s seat, an unusual move for a local office. “They are putting together a lot of stuff, and it works better than the stuff I come up with on my own that I write on my computer,” he said.

Sounds good to us, Chuck.

Where’s Waldo: That may be the question residents are asking in West Bloomfield, after two-term supervisor Michele Economu Ureste decided to run for trustee in the primary election for 2016, instead of supervisor, and then suddenly withdrew. Political observers thought she and longtime trustee Steve Kaplan were going to pull a bait-andswitch at the last minute, after Kaplan went around gathering signatures for supervisor, and Ureste gathered signatures for trustee.

But no. Come filing time in April, Kaplan, an assistant prosecuting attorney, first for Macomb County, currently with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, had filed for supervisor. Kaplan has been a trustee for 12 years, and will face Sam Logan Khaleghi in his first run for supervisor. Ureste, who announced on March 16 to the Oakland Press that she would be seeking a third term as West Bloomfield supervisor, filed for trustee on April 19, the filing deadline, but withdrew on April 21. No word on why.

DOWNTOWN

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FACES Tom Daldin hree guys, two cameras and one car. Those were the simple ingredients used to turn a half-baked idea for a television show into a popular travel program hosted by longtime Rochester resident Tom Daldin.

"Part of the success of the program is that I'm a regular guy," said Daldin, who hosts â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under the Radar Michiganâ&#x20AC;?. "I don't look smart enough to lie. To this day, I'm nervous. It's not natural for me to be on camera, but I have a natural love for people. I'm not an actor. I'm just a regular guy. We don't take ourselves seriously."

Currently in its sixth season, the PBS show seeks out some of Michigan's hidden treasures, featuring unique cities, businesses, restaurants and people. The show has earned three Emmy Awards for the Best Magazine Program, best Direction/Post Production, and the Best Host in 2013, and has spawned one published book, with another in the works.

"This isn't rocket science. We are just regular guys trying to feed our families and do something good for the state," Daldin said. "The show pumps a lot back into the economy. It's one of the most rewarding things I ever did in my life."

Born in Detroit and raised in Birmingham, Daldin has lived for 27 years in downtown Rochester with his wife, Cathy, who currently serves as the city's mayor.

"I love Rochester because it reminds me of the way Birmingham used to be when I was a little kid," he said. "I've been here for 27 years. My wife and I bought the house and raised three kids, with one bathroom."

A rock 'n roll drummer for decades, Daldin said he spent much of his 20s as a musician, touring the midwest in heavy metal bands before finishing school and landing a job at WRIF radio, working on the sales side of the business. Later, Daldin would work behind the camera, shooting heavily produced car commercials for television.

"I did that until about 2009 or 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; then the economy crashed," he said. "I had a daughter at Rochester High and a son at Michigan State University. I asked myself, 'What am I going to do?"

As it turned out, Daldin took the advice of an old radio friend and turned the camera on himself, working with friend and cocreator Jim Edelman to pitch a show to PBS television. Revisiting a show they did in the late 1990s, the duo pitched a rehashed version to PBS television, but were quickly rejected.

"They asked what else we had, so I'm kicking Jim under the table and said I was a big fan of travel television," Daldin said. "I just blurted out in the meeting, 'What if we did a discovery show about Michigan.' They loved it, and said, 'If you can get funding for it, we'll air it.'"

While the initial season of the show quickly put the show into debt, they were able to simplify the show, purchasing two cameras and hiring friend Eric Tremonti to handle post production.

"The show instantly got better," he said. "We are planning season seven right now. I'm discovering stuff that is a half-hour from my house and saying, 'I had no idea it was here.'

"On the surface it looks like a travel show, but it's really not.

We talk to people about small businesses. We ask why they opened a business there and have them tell us their story. It's a lot of different things to different people. It's not really a travel show."

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MILITARY HOW OAKLAND HIGH SCHOOLS DEAL

WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATE

RECRUITMENT

BY KATIE DESKA

Although few high school teens are eligible to enlist in the armed forces, federal law requires that the majority of secondary schools across the country provide military recruiters with the names, address, and phone numbers of students who have not exclusively requested otherwise. Throughout Oakland County, schools work to interpret that in a variety of ways.

Mandated since 2001, schools that receive funding through the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and do not qualify under the religious objection to service in the armed forces, must comply with the federal regulation by issuing military recruiters with a list of directory information when they request it, and provide recruiters with the “same access to students” that the school gives to any other higher education institution and prospective employers. Failure to do so is grounds for denial of federal funds.

Section 9528 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended as NCLB, provides that schools must inform parents of the recruiting policy and notify parents of the right to optout of having their child’s personal information distributed to recruiters for the armed forces. The way the law is written, opting in is the default selection, thus benefiting recruiters, placing the burden on the student/parent to take action on something they may stumble across only once in a jumbled stack of enrollment papers.

Rep. David Vitter (R-LA) sponsored the amendment to NCLB in 2001, which created the policy that mandates military recruiters receive access to student information. In summary, the amendment “requires any secondary school that receives ESEA funds to permit regular U.S. Armed Services recruitment activities on school grounds, in a manner reasonably accessible to all its students.”

Each branch of the military is responsible for recruiting its own members, and, aiming to meet their annual recruitment goal, recruiters target high schools, among other venues.

Today, recruiters visiting high school campuses, and setting up a table in the cafeteria, is quite common. Yet, they were not always welcomed. In 1999, it was reported by the Pentagon that recruiters who requested access to schools were refused 19,228 times. In the 1990s, roughly one-third of American high schools denied recruiters access to student directory information and refused to let them reach students on the school grounds. Doing so made recruiting a more expensive, stressful and timely endeavor.

The Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion of the United States Army Recruiting Command, 3rd Brigade, is responsible for recruiting Michiganders in the Lower Peninsula to join the Army. Mark Czarnecki, chief of Army public affairs and advertising, based in Lansing, noted the Army seeks to fulfill 30 percent of its recruitment goal through high school seniors. Graduates are expected to fulfill the remaining 70 percent of the recruitment goal.

“Only three out of 10 (students) are qualified to join the army because of academics, meaning they fail the ASVAB or medical or (have) too many law violations,” Czarnecki said. “You've got the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and everybody is competing for those three, not just the armed forces, but the colleges too. The Army is the largest branch of service. The Army and the National Guard put in more people than all the (other) services combined.”

The method of reaching the student, said Czarnecki, depends on

the prospective recruit. “It depends on the senior’s dominant buying motive – what is that senior’s reason for joining – to serve their country, for college money, for job security? By and large for Michigan it’s college, the continuing education. What is their motivation? Why do they want to buy the Army?”

Although the provision in NCLB requires that schools make students and parents aware of the military recruitment presence and their right to opt out of having directory information shared, there is no national standard or guidelines of the methods by which schools should notify families, which leaves it up to the discretion of each school's administration to determine how to spread awareness.

Results from schools surveyed in Oakland County show a variety of methods of disseminating the information, and leaves unanswered the question of how successful their method is in reaching the parents and students.

The Waterford School District notifies parents “annually in the districtwide newsletter,” said Rhonda Lessel, director of community relations. The Waterford district requests that, “parents or eligible students notify the superintendent in writing within two weeks of the notice.” In 2013-2014, two students opted out of receiving military recruitment information; in 2014-2015, three students opted out; and in 2015-2016, five students opted out, according to Lessel.

Comparatively, Jessica Stilger, communication supervisor for the Berkley School District, said, “Parents are notified through the annual online paperless packet system that contains all the back-to-school paperwork for all students each year. They do have the option to opt out of military recruitment.” The percentage of students opting out in Berkley Schools increased over the last three years. For 2013-2014, 32.7 percent opted out, followed by 38.3 in the 2014-2015 school year, and over half the students opted out for the most recent school year, at 51 percent, or 152 out of 298 students.

Rochester Community Schools received even more opt-out forms. In the 2013-2014 school year, over half of all seniors in Rochester Community Schools opted out of having their personal information made available to military recruiters, reported Lori Grein, director of community relations and foundation, who said 876 of 1,232 students opted out. The following year, 69 percent, or 799 students of 1,157 students, opted out; and for the year coming to a close, 46 percent, or 560 of 1,203 students, opted out.

The district provides seniors with a “registration packet in August that includes a form for parents to complete if they do not want their student to be contacted by a recruiter,” said Grein. “The completed form is then turned into the district.”

In Bloomfield Hills Schools, the notice is disseminated during registration “There is a document that parents and students must sign to opt out. This document is available and offered to all students in the building one time a year,” said Shira Good, director of communications and community relations for the district. “The document is also offered to all new students when they arrive at the high school to register for classes.”

Good noted that, “We do not keep specific numbers but it is approximately one-third of the student body each year” that opt out of having their information made available to recruiters.

Birmingham Public Schools “provides an opt out letter for parents in the fall of each year,” said Marcia Wilkinson, director of

IN THE 1990S, ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD OF AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS DENIED RECRUITERS ACCESS TO STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION AND REFUSED TO LET THEM REACH STUDENTS ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

communication and family engagement, although the district does not track the number of students who opt out. “We do not retain that data, but very few” choose to opt out, she said.

The Troy School District will “notify families throughout annual notices every year,” said Kerry Birmingham, director of communication and strategic initiatives. “We do not keep statistics on how many students opt out, but they are welcome to do that by notifying the district,” she said.

Oxford Community Schools directs people to the district website, which “contains specific information about military recruiters in the board policies,” said Matt Johnson, director of marketing and communications for the district. “The parent, legal guardian or student if over the age of 18, opts out via sending a signed written request to the board that indicates that the student, parent or legal guardian does not want the student’s directory information to be accessible to official recruiting representatives. When that request is received, the board secretary would forward it to the school, and no information would go out about that student.” For the 2015-2016 school year, Johnson said there was not one student who opted out.

Still, at least one Oakland County school takes a completely different approach that appears it may be inconsistent with federal law.

“We do not give military recruiters personal information about our students,” said Daniel Stevens, principal of Brandon High School. “Instead, we have our students opt in to have information released. If they show an interest or desire in the military, we will help put them in contact with recruiters.”

Michigan Department of Education communications spokesman William DiSessa said, “We are not aware of any push-back, and have no position,” regarding the military recruitment policies. DiSessa did not cite any school district that had formal complaints about recruitment practices.

Recognizing the inconsistencies in the way school districts across the nation are notifying students and parents as required

by NCLB, the New York branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) put forth a Military Recruitment Model Policy. It calls for parents and students to be informed of the military recruitment policy on multiple occasions, through multiple avenues.

NYCLU’s model policy, designed to protect students’ privacy rights while properly executing the federal mandate states, in part, that “the recruiter policy of each school shall be distributed to students and explained in a letter mailed to parents in the first 30 days of each school year. The policy shall be made available to the public through the school office and displayed prominently on posters in the school, in the school handbook and where applicable, on the school’s website. Moreover, the recruiter policy shall be distributed to students and parents upon enrollment at the school.”

The policy also suggests that, “under no circumstances shall students and/or parents be required to submit opt out forms before November 30 of a given school year. No student information shall be released prior to the opt out deadline.” To aide in public transparency, the policy recommends public reporting of the “number and percentage of students who opted out, the date(s) of receipt of request for student directory information by recruiters, and the date(s) that student information was disclosed to recruiters.”

Darrell Dawsey, communications director for the Michigan branch

of the American Civil Liberties Union, said around 2007, they “sent a letter to (Michigan) school districts advising them on best practices and student privacy, and had local branches that connected with students and their families to provide them with what their rights are and opt out forms. The ACLU of Michigan, we firmly believe that parents and children have every right to be notified and opt out of these programs. We think the policy should be amended to ensure that privacy rights are respected.”

In terms of monitoring the policies of the districts, Dawsey said, “You send a letter and remind folks of what the law is. We’re not equipped to make sure everybody is following up on these policy suggestions. I’m not sure if there were any subsequent complaints or concerns.”

As part of the recruitment process, in addition to receiving student contact information, recruiters are permitted to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test on campus, and during school hours. The test is administered by recruiters, and is designed to gauge an individual’s potential success in the military. It is administered to high school students, postsecondary students, and other military applicants. Stevens, of Brandon High School, said, “As our counselors get to know our students, they have individual conservations with them about their posthigh school plans. If a student indicates that the military may be in their plans then they will suggest taking the ASVAB test,” which he said, approximately 30 students did this school year.

Additional Oakland County schools that offer the test include Waterford, Oxford, and Clawson. “The ASVAB varies year-to-year.

Usually we have 30 to 35 kids take it,” said Carolee Penny, counseling office secretary at Clawson High School. In Clawson, students sign up to take the test. “It would be about 35 or 40 out of 130 kids, maybe. I think it helps them establish their aptitude and what they should be focusing on during their senior year as far as classes go.”

Bloomfield Hills Schools doesn’t offer the test, said Good, “but sometimes the recruiter does give the test in our building to prospective students.” The Troy School District, on the other hand, directs students to an off-campus testing center.

In an advocacy statement released by The American Public Health Association (APHA), the organization said the “U.S. Congress should repeal the provisions of the NCLB act that mandates that public schools collaborate with military recruiters by providing full access to school buildings and contact information.”

A 2011 article published in the American Journal of Public Health, found on the website for the National Institute of Health, reported that the youngest group of soldiers consistently shows the highest propensity for negative health effects, including, posttraumatic stress syndrome, substance abuse and suicide. "There are public health reasons for concern regarding military recruitment in public schools. The bulk of newly enlisted military personnel are developmentally in late adolescence – a time of relatively robust physical health but not necessarily complete brain development or a wise time to introduce high levels of stress," Amy Hagopian, PhD, and Kathy Barker, PhD wrote in the journal.

The article further stated, “A study of mental disorders in the U.S. military found the highest rates of all disorders, including alcohol abuse, anxiety syndromes, depression, and post traumatic stress

MANDATED SINCE 2001, SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE FUNDING… MUST COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL REGULATION BY ISSUING MILITARY RECRUITERS WITH A LIST OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION WHEN THEY REQUEST IT.

disorder, among the youngest cohort, those aged 17 through 24 years. Another study found that younger soldiers had 30 percent to 60 percent more substance abuse disorders than did older soldiers, and younger women in particular had the highest incidence of attempted suicide or self-inflicted injuries. The youngest group of veterans also recently experienced a 26 percent increase in suicides from 2005 to 2007. A review of hospitalizations among military personnel in the 1990s showed the highest rates among the youngest recruits. We also know that the youngest active duty military personnel engage in the riskiest sexual behaviors and that almost one third of first births to active duty females are to women younger than 21 years.”

Although the draft hasn’t occurred since 1973, “With only few exceptions, the registration requirement applies to all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the United States who are 18 through 25 years of age,” states the government notice on the Selective Service.

The law states that all U.S male citizens must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Since Defense Secretary Ash Carter lifted gender-bans earlier this year, women are able to serve in front-line combat positions, and the issue of whether they must register for the Selective Service was before Congress. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) introduced legislation in the U.S. House that would require women to register. After passing in the Armed Services Committee, the issue was just voted down by the House.

Colonel Michael Matthews of the United State Army, released a strategy research project entitled, “Pinnacle: The Army’s Effort to Reform its Accession Process.” A member of the 2011 class from the masters program at U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, Matthews outlines the changes that army recruiters have been adopting in response to challenges to reach recruiting goals.

“In 2005, after several years of war,” Matthews wrote, “the Army, as well as several other services, failed to meet their recruiting goals by over 9,000 soldiers. Not since 1979, had USAREC (United States Army Recruiting Command) failed to meet its mission… USAREC found itself faced with a new external environment. Never before in the history of the all-volunteer force had USAREC been asked to recruit during a period of persistent conflict. Casualties from Iraq were increasing at a dramatic pace and pessimistic reports from the field were constantly in the news.”

In fiscal year 2006, the Army made some changes to address the shortfalls. “Enlistment bonuses were increased to attract recruits to critical and shortage MOS’s (military occupational specialties),” wrote Matthews, and “it dramatically increased recruiter production incentives and established a referral program which paid $2,000 for qualified referrals that enlisted and graduated from basic training.”

Furthermore, “In order to achieve its objective, USAREC also had to accept lower quality recruits. Waivers for misdemeanor and felony violations increased as USAREC was forced to reach deeper into the social strata of America for its personnel.”

Other face-to-face time recruiters get with students often occurs casually, and each school can establish its own policy for what is required of recruiters, or what restrictions they must abide by.

“We have recruiters on a weekly basis, not every week the same branch, but what they do is we have a lobby right by our cafeteria in the high school and so they’ve been told they can set up a table in the back lobby, that they can’t go actively into the room and pick

and choose kids,” said Penny of Clawson High School, who is responsible for submitting the list of student information to recruiters who ask for it. “If students are interested, they will go talk to the recruiter, but they’re not to actively go talk to the kids.”

Having been with the school since 1992, Penny recalled, “When I first started in this office, we were very uncooperative, let’s say, in giving this information to the branches of the military, but we don’t have the choice any more. Sometimes, they come into the office and I give them a hard copy of the student information, the name, address, so on and so forth. Sometimes, I e-mail it to them, usually once a year.” She noted a time when there was an aggressive recruiter who overstepped the school policy. “They know they’re not to approach students in the hallway. We had a Marine recruiter one day. He was friendly, but he was out talking to kids in the hall, and the principal spotted him and put a stop to that.”

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in December 2015, and is set to replace No Child Left Behind this coming fall, prohibits schools from creating an opt in process. Section 8528 of the ESSA states, “nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow a local education agency to withhold access to a student’s name, address, and telephone listing from a military recruiter or institution of higher education by implementing an opt in process or any other process other than the written consent request process,” which refers to the opt out process.

This new restriction is in opposition to a bill introduced in 2007, intended to remove the burden of having to opt out. Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA) sponsored the Student Privacy Protection Act, which intended to turn Vitter’s NCLB policy inside out, and require that parents/students opt in, rather than opt out. Honda’s sponsored legislation died in committee. ESSA will preclude that as a future option.

However, DiSessa, of the MDE, stated, “(There) appears to be little, if any changes from NCLB to ESSA in this regard. We have been told that ESSA takes effect with the 2016-17 school year. For now, the language in ESSA, including opt out, is considered best practices. It’s important that MDE currently is developing ESSA guidance to our local districts.”

Regardless of whether a student/parent chooses to opt out of the school directory information that recruiters have access to, there’s still a likelihood that an individual student would appear in an alternate database, managed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), known as the Joint Marketing and Advertising Research & Studies, or JARMS recruiting database. It’s “used by the services to educate potential prospects on the benefits of military services,” states the website for the DoD. The information is collected in various ways, including purchasing data from the Department of Motor Vehicle, the College Board, the ASVAB test, and from private data brokers, according to the ACLU, which proceeded to file a lawsuit against the DoD in 2006.

In Hanson v. Rumsfeld, the ACLU, “claimed the unconstitutionality of the JARMS database,” stated a release on the NYCLU website. “We succeed in getting a settlement forcing the DoD to stop collecting Social Security numbers, keep information for only three years, restrict the ages of students included in the database, and maintain better privacy standards for student information. Also, the DoD clarified the procedure for opting out of the database.”

A PROVISION OF THE NCLB REQUIRES SCHOOLS MAKE STUDENTS/PARENTS AWARE OF THE MILITARY RECRUITMENT AND THEIR RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF HAVING INFORMATION SHARED; THERE IS NO NATIONAL STANDARD OR GUIDELINES.

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FACES Kelly DiPucchio racing the cover of ‘Bed Hogs,’ Kelly DiPucchio’s inaugural children’s book, is a cute, if bothered, piglet, who’s squeezed between two pink pig rumps and their curly tails. Published in 2004, the pages read, “I’m squished! I’m squashed! I’m buried in this heap! You’re hoggin’ up my space in bed. I’ll never get to sleep!”

Before DiPucchio made it onto the 2008 New York Times best seller's list with ‘Grace for President,’ which tells the story of an African-American girl campaigning for commander in chief, the writer remembers finding herself enthralled with the stories she read to her three youngsters.

“I’d be reading to my kids, and they’d toddle away, and I’d still be sitting on their floor reading their books.” Now with two dozen titles to her name, DiPucchio has thoroughly embraced what was once a simple curiosity.

“One night, there was a children’s book event at Halfway Down the Stairs,” said the Rochester native, recalling the former local independent bookstore. “There were two local Michigan picture book authors who gave a talk on how to break into the children’s publishing industry. They gave me permission to pursue this aggressively, because prior to their talk, I had the illusion that authors lived in New York or Los Angeles, and they’re not just regular mothers cleaning toilets and making lunch.”

DiPucchio’s children have since become young adults, but her role in raising the next generation of readers is as strong as ever. ‘The Sandwich Swap,’ published in 2010, teaches readers the value of “being open-minded, asking questions, and being a good friend,” she said. “The basic lessons we want to teach children can also apply to the grown up world, and that was the premise of the book,” which was translated into six languages, and co-authored by Queen Rania AlAbdullah, of Jordan, who reached out to DiPucchio.

“It’s based on a true story from her childhood. When the Queen was a little girl, she went to international school, and her best friend from the U.S. would eat peanut butter and jelly, and she had pita bread and hummus. Each would look at the other's sandwich, because they didn’t grow up eating that food in their culture. It’s a microcosm in a macrocosm,” she said. “We judge people on the small things, and those small things can become big things, and that’s what we try to show. It becomes a food fight in the story, and the kids start choosing sides.”

During the book tour, Queen Rania was invited to talk on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and DiPucchio relished being in the audience. “It went to (number) one on the New York Times list that day. It was a wild experience. The opportunity was just amazing.”

With five forthcoming titles, three of which will be out this year, DiPucchio’s imagination hasn’t slowed down. Taking a step back into her personal childhood, she recalled, “When I was growing up in Rochester, it was still very much a small town. We had a lot of freedom growing up there, and I really lived in my imagination, and I did things that helped foster an imagination because you have to make your own fun when you’re outdoors.”

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Story: Katie Deska

A HIDDEN

DANGER PHTHALATES LURKING IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS

BY LISA BRODY

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S

o the normal eye, it would seem there would be no connection linking asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, various neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development, anogenital distance, and male fertility issues.

But trained researchers, more and more frequently, see causal links between all of these growing public health concerns. Many scientific researchers connect the dots to phthalates exposure, also known as plasticizers. They have even coined a name, which is now widely recognized among scientific researchers, for some of the health conditions they are most concerned with: the phthalate effect.

Phthalates are a large family of chemicals used to soften and strengthen plastics and increase their flexibility in a wide array of products. They are the chemical that makes a piece of plastic move or bend, rather than crack and break. They can be found in numerous everyday products, which are then released into the environment, from cosmetics and personal care items; infant care products; shower curtains; wallpaper and vinyl mini blinds; plastic wrap; food and food packaging; pharmaceuticals; detergents; adhesives, plastic plumbing pipes, lubricants, medical tubing and fluid bags; solvents; medical devices; inflatable toys; insecticides; building materials; automotive plastics and vinyls; and vinyl flooring.

If that sounds like just about everything, it's true. Phthalates are in many shampoos, body washes, cosmetics, household cleaners. They're in the milk we drink, and in the plastic tubing of a hospital IV. Everything – from the plastic wrap we cover our food with, to the plastic containers we place leftovers in – contains phthalates. Love that new car smell? It's from phthalates. And because of the ubiquitous use of phthalates, and because they are often not listed on product labels, everyone in the United States has phthalates in their system.

It's scary to believe that so many items everyone uses on a daily basis has potentially toxic chemicals hidden within them – unseen, yet leaching into not only the environment but human bodies. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, plasticizers are in products like nail polishes, to reduce cracking by making them less brittle, in hair spray to help avoid stiffness by allowing them to form a flexible film on the hair, and is the chemical in fragrances, from perfumes to cosmetics to automobile products. While the FDA “has not established an association between the use of phthalates in cosmetics and a health risk, the FDA continues to monitor levels of phthalates in cosmetic products,” the organization states on its website.

However, the FDA does warn about infants exposed to infant care products, specifically baby shampoos, baby lotions and baby powder, who showed increased levels of phthalate metabolites in their urine, according to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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A particularly disturbing aspect of phthalate exposure is that products phthalates are in are not isolated, nor are they unusual “boutique” products. They are some of the most common and popular goods on the shelf in their categories, according to the FDA's 2010 Survey of Cosmetics for Phthalate Content. Included in the survey were Johnson's baby shampoo and baby oil; Dove Deep Body Nourishing Body Wash; Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair hand creme; Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion; Vaseline Body Lotion; Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer; Ponds Dry Skin Cream; Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion; Nivea; Johnson's Baby Lotion; Dollar General Sleepy Time Baby Lotion; Baby Magic Gentle Baby Lotion; Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion; Aveeno Baby; Johnson's Bedtime Lotion; Brut 24-Hour Protection deodorant; Tom's of Maine Natural Lavendar deodorant stick; Old Spice High Endurance deodorant; Speed Stick deodorant; Dove Powder Invisible solid; Secret Powder Fresh; TREsemme No Frizz Shine Spray; White Rain hair spray; John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease mousse; Johnson's No More Tangles; Garnier Fructis shampoo; Herbal Essences moisturizing shampoo; nipple creams; diaper creams; wet wipes; infant soap, shampoo, and body washes; numerous nail polishes; children's makeups; and baby powder, including Johnson's Baby Powder and Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder.

“Under the law, cosmetic products and ingredients, with the exception of color additives, are not subject to FDA approval before they go to market,” the FDA noted. “FDA can take action against unsafe cosmetics that are on the market, but only if we have dependable scientific evidence showing that a product or ingredient is unsafe for consumers or customary conditions of use. At the present time, FDA does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk.”

But scientists, both in the United States and Europe, as well as public health and consumer advocacy groups, such as the Center for Health, Environment & Justice and the non-profit Environmental Working Group, disagree. The Virginia-based Environmental Working Group launched the Not Too Pretty campaign to work for safe cosmetics.

“Major loopholes in federal law allow the $20billion-a-year cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of phthalates into many personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and no required labeling,” the Environmental Working Group said in a statement, noting that phthalates can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, and have shown damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in animal studies.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, phthalates can be removed from the products by exposure to heat or with organic solvents, from leaching from the products themselves, or just from general environmental contamination.

Americans who have been tested by the Centers for Disease Control have shown metabolites for multiple phthalates in their urine. Numerous research studies on both animals and humans have shown that high doses of phthalates change hormone levels, can cause birth defects and may cause cancer.

“In the U.S., basically, everyone is exposed on a daily basis. We know this based on work by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the

multiple uses of exposure simultaneously,” said Robin Whyatt, professor emeritus in the department of environmental health sciences, Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

Another area of concern is that many medical devices, such as catheters and intravenous equipment, are made of PVC, including ones used in neonatal intensive care units. Phthalates can leach out of the devices into stored liquids, like blood, plasma and intravenous fluids. In 2002, the FDA recommended that healthcare professionals avoid using IV bags, tubes and other devices containing DEHP when treating premature babies and women pregnant with male fetuses.

“Phthalates can seep in through equipment used in processing plants such as tubing, gloves, conveyer belts, lids, adhesives and plastic wraps,” said Olivia Koski with Natural Resources Defense Council. “Dozens of types of phthalates still lurk in a dizzying number of everyday products. And it's impossible to know which ones, exactly, because manufacturers don't have to tell you. Until Congress makes further moves to regulate phthalates or mandates more research on their health effects, you can take steps to avoid them.”

The CDC notes that phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. “People are exposed to phthalates by eating and drinking foods that have been in contact with containers and products containing phthalates. To a lesser extent, exposure can occur from breathing in air that contains phthalate vapors or dust contaminated with phthalate particles. Once phthalates enter a person's body, they are converted into breakdown products (metabolites) that pass out quickly in urine,” according to the CDC website. “CDC researchers found measurable levels of many phthalate metabolites in the general population. Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown.”

Researchers, such as Whyatt, disagree with the CDC. “Probably the issue that got people most concerned was the discovery of the phthalate effect. Phthalates are an endocrine disrupter, which means it changes the hormone levels. It was seen first in animal studies, but now it's seen in epidemiological studies as well,” Whyatt noted.

Phthalates are a large group of chemicals, and not all of them show the same danger signals. Nor have they all been tested. It's been said that people can name a major public health concern over the past two decades, and it can likely be tied to exposure to phthalates. BPA, which was banned from plastic, notably water bottles, in 2014, was singled out as the sole chemical of concern in the bisphenol group, but its replacements, BPS and some phthalates, are considered at least as concerning as what they replaced.

There are approximately six that wave the strongest, most dangerous red flags to scientists – di-2ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP); butyl benzyl phthalate (BbzP); diethyl phthalate (DEP); benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP); diisononyl phthalate (DiNP); and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). The worst of the worst, most concur, is DEHP, which was replaced in some consumer products, only to be replaced with DiNP – which researchers then discovered correlated to male genital birth defects and impaired reproductive functions in adult males. DEHP has been banned in Europe since 2004, but is still used in the United States, although some manufacturers are replacing it in some products.

Today, while bottled water no longer has BPA, which was banned in the U.S in 2014, there are concerns about the soft plastic they are bottled in, and that they contain estrogenic chemicals. Since 1973, when a DuPont chemist created polyethylene terephthalate (PET), it has been used for bottled water, including Dasani water, and other substances. Multiple studies are consistently showing that water from PET bottles are changing estrogen levels, and that the concentration of phthalates from PET bottles was more than 12 times higher in PET than in glassed bottled water. Ice Mountain water is bottled in HDPE plastic, which is also used in milk jugs, refillable plastic bottles, and plastic bags, and has the 2 recycling number, which is currently considered one of the less dangerous plastics.

“Since phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastic resin polymer (they're just 'mixed in'), they are free to migrate or leach out under certain conditions,” said Sarah Mosko, PhD of California. She noted that in 1986, the U.S toy industry switched from DEHP to DINP in plastic PVC toys in response to a “voluntary” agreement between the industry and the Consumer Product

Safety Commission, but did it without any safety testing. Then toys around the world were revealed to have high concentrations of other phthalates.

In 2008, the Consumer Protection Agency banned six types of phthalates from children's toys. “An example of a product that may have phthalates is a product like a children's rubber duck – the flexible plastic feel may be from the use of phthalates in the manufacturing process,” the agency said. In June 2015, Congress permanently banned three phthalates – DEHP, DBP, and BBP – in any amount greater than .1 percent that could be placed in a child's toy, or in a child care product designed to aid in sleep for a child under three, or to help with sucking or teething. Congress has an interim ban on another three phthalates – DINP, DIDP, and DnOP – for the same uses.

“The policies, in the United States, are very difficult to get activated,” said Dr. John Meeker, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. “Broad sweeping policy is difficult to enact. But consumer activism helps.

It's how some (phthalates) have been banned in certain toys – but it's a small group of what could be banned. People looking for 'phthalate free' products have an impact on manufacturers, and are an advantage for the consumer.”

While many parents would note that any toy will likely end up in a child's mouth, there are numerous toys and categories of toys that are not covered by the bans, including sporting goods, those made with untreated wood, metal, natural fibers, natural latex and mineral products; its component parts; children's socks and shoes; mattresses; and packaging.

Yet, beyond toys that go in children's mouths, they are exposed to phthalates through numerous other products. DINP and DIDP were introduced as “safer” chemicals in the manufacturing of plastic wrap, food containers, soap, and cosmetics, a 2015 study done by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center noted. “Our research adds to growing concerns that environmental chemicals might be independent contributors to insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and other metabolic disorders,” Dr. Leonard Trasande said.

Their study looked at over 1,300 children and teens between 8 and 19, measuring their blood pressure and levels of DINP and DIDP in their urine, and they found that with an over 10-fold increase in the levels of the two chemicals, blood pressure levels increased about a point on average.

Another study in 2015 looked at teens 12 to 19 to examine these chemicals and their risk of insulin resistance, which can be a precursor to type II diabetes. They found that increased concentrations of DINP and DIDP were linked to increased risk of insulin resistance, and among the teens with the highest levels of DINP, one in three had insulin resistance.

The Breast Cancer Fund concurs with Dr. Meeker, to look for plastic products marked “phthalate-free” or “PVC-free” and to avoid plastics with the recycling code of 3. They state that a 2012 study found that women working in the automotive and food-canning industries have a fivefold increase in risk of premenopausal breast cancer, which they tie to their exposure to phthalates, BPA and flame retardants. They also recommend women avoid household cleaners and cosmetics with “fragrance” on the label.

The 2012 study indicated that there were higher levels of phthalates, notably DEP, which is often used in fragrance, in women with breast cancer, and it was most profound in premenopausal women. Besides cosmetic fragrances and perfume, healthychild.org wrote, “Do a 'Sniff Test.' That 'new car' or 'plastic' smell from soft plastic toys, backpacks, raincoats, and other products usually comes from phthalates.

Avoid microwaving in plastics and plastic wraps.”

The American Chemistry Council noted that automobile interiors, vinyl seat covers and interior trim use phthalates because of its ability to withstand high temperature, and flexible vinyl is used in cars and trucks to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.

“Phthalates are considered to be endocrine disruptors because of their complex effects on several hormonal systems, including the estrogen and androgen hormone systems,” the Breast Cancer Fund said.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents many manufacturers, counters that “Phthalates are primarily used to make PVC or vinyl flexible and are used in hundreds of product in our homes, hospitals, cars and businesses. Colorless, odorless phthalates are not only cost effective, but also highly suitable for many flexible vinyl products. Some of their key characteristics include: durability, flexibility, weather resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures...The total economic contributions of three phthalates plasticizers manufacturers and the purchaser industries generate nearly $35 billion in economic output. Removing phthalates from the products could mean the loss of essential properties in consumer and industrial products that we rely on every day. Phthalates make up 90 percent of the plasticizer market, and while there are some potential substitutes in development, there are no drop in replacements available for current applications that would provide similar performance, durability and cost.”

For the last 15 years, Dr. Shanna Swan, an epidemiologist with Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, has conducted studies of pregnant women to determine fetal exposure to phthalates. Swan is best known for, and pioneered, looking at how phthalates have affected male genital development, “and we're now seeing it in women, as well. We have taken

blood and urine studies to analyze their exposure during pregnancy. We don't use a questionnaire, because it's a silent exposure. We want to see what women are exposed to,” Swan said.

Swan's research, first on animals, and now on humans, show that certain phthalates impact the developing male fetus in a way that he gets an inadequate amount of testosterone. “If there's not enough testosterone, their development is not complete,” Swan said, noting that incomplete masculinization had first been documented in animals.

“In 2005, the term phthalate syndrome was coined. Central to that is shortening in critical measurement distance from the anus to the genitals, which is called anogenital distance,” Swan said. Anogenital distance (AGD) is considered significant in both animals and humans because it is a non-invasive method to determine male feminization, and allows the ability to predict neonatal and adult reproductive disorders. She said it's a measurement that has been used in animal studies for more than 100 years.

The anogenital distance in healthy males should be twice as long in males as females. But babies with high total exposure to phthalates, in Swan's studies, are 90 times more likely to have a short AGD, and with that, lower semen volume, lower sperm count, decreased fertility, the likelihood of undescended testes, and testicular tumors in adulthood.

Women who had high levels of phthalates in their urine during pregnancy gave birth to sons who were 10 times more likely to have shorter than expected AGDs. “It's the most sexually dysmorphic measurement we have. It is a very good measure to separate males and females,” Swan said. “When mothers are exposed to certain phthalates, that distance is not as long. That fetus is feminized, or not as masculinized. We showed it in two studies, and now there is one from Sweden.”

Swan decided to expand her research arena.

“The androgens of testing are needed in other parts of the body – the brain,” she said. “We chose to study the region of where they play,” studying boys aged 4 to 7, looking at preschool activities as the instrument in children whose mothers had been exposed to DEHP or DBP in high doses.

“We found they played less male, meaning they chose less guns or trucks or cars, and chose more dolls and tea sets,” she said. “We also saw that often boys who had shorter anogenital distances had feminized play, and lower masculine play. They also had smaller penis sizes and often, their testes didn't descend.

“It isn't just this one neurodevelopmental area, but others as well. We saw it in other areas that are influenced by testosterone are showing to be influenced as well,” Swan said. She and her fellow researchers have not studied sexuality.

Whyatt has looked extensively at behavioral, mental and motor effects in humans from prenatal exposure to phthalates. “It seems to be the most sensitive time for exposure,” she said. “For some phthalates, it decreases mental and motor development. We check it at age three, as well as behavioral problems at age three. We also follow the children to age seven. IQ, learning, athletics are all key at elementary school, and we're seeing significant reductions, including decreases in short term memory and poor working memory.

The teacher will often think it's because they're not paying attention, but that's not it.”

She said that poor working memory is often considered more important to success in elementary development than verbal comprehension, nonverbal questions, behavior and motor development.

“We are still determining if this follows them through their school years. We still don't know,” she said. “It seems that it is apparent, but we're not certain.”

A serious male birth defect can also be linked to phthalate exposure, Swan said, called hypospadias, where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis, but partway up. It must be surgically corrected at around eight months of age, under general anesthesia.

“More dramatically, a short anogenital distance male will likely be infertile, have lower testosterone (as an adult), have lower testicle volume, and lower sperm count. So it matters,” she emphasized.

Robin Whyatt, of Columbia, observed, “These are at levels that people are generally exposed to in the United States. Phthalates cause changes, and it's thought now it's what's happening in the human population.”

Swan noted over the years of studying phthalate syndrome that DEHP, “long considered the worst of the worst,” has been present in food, making containers softer, “was the only one regulated in drinking water. Then regulations were put in place in the U.S. and Europe, and taken out of children's toys.” Between her first and second study, she and her fellow researchers found a 50 percent drop in DEHP as a result of its partial removal.

“With DEHP, most people are exposed through diet and food packaging. It's still unclear how,” said U-M's Meeker.

Whyatt disagrees. “A lot of people are concerned about DEHP, but we haven't found it to be the worst. This is such a huge category of chemicals. That was one chemical, and it is in so many products, still. I always caution – there haven't been enough interventional studies to know (what the worst is). They're just everywhere.” While it's good, she notes, that they have been removed from children's toys, “The window of greatest susceptibility appears to be during pregnancy.”

Swan concurs. “Genital changes are

specifically tied to the first trimester, especially month two and three, when the exposure happens early in pregnancy. Neurological developmental changes likely occur midpregnancy, and preterm birth is likely to be associated to late exposure. So the best time to avoid phthalates is likely the entire pregnancy, because they're dangerous throughout,” she said.

Lisa Dry, senior director, product communications with the American Chemistry Council, countered, “Phthalates have been thoroughly studied and reviewed by a number of government scientific agencies and regulatory bodies worldwide and these agencies have concluded that phthalates used in commercial products do not pose a risk to human health at typical exposure levels. Information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the last 10 years indicates that, despite the fact that phthalates are used in many products, exposure is extremely low – significantly lower than any levels of concern set by regulatory agencies. In addition, all studies have limitations that impact the interpretation of the findings.”

Meeker said that he, in collaboration with Dr. Russ Hauser of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, have been studying women's reproductive health following exposure to phthalates. “We started with the male population, and then also looked at women. Now we're hoping to look at children,” he said. “Seventeen years ago, we began looking at male reproductive health, at their semen samples, and then their female partners, in relation to in vitro fertilization, with hopes to continue following the children born.”

He said they published a study in 2015 that showed for men with phthalate exposure, they had a decrease in semen quality, an increase in DNA damage in their sperm cells, and altered circulating hormone levels. “On average, with those with greater phthalate levels, had decreased testosterone levels,” Meeker said.

“On the female side, those associated with increased phthalate levels had decreased egg yields and decreased chances in having a successful pregnancy,” he said. “It is consistent with research on laboratory animals.”

Further studies are indicating the increased odds of early pubertal development (early menses) among girls, and delayed puberty among males, Meeker said.

“We do see some variability in the chemicals, so we are continuing studying (them),” he said.

“They are endocrine disrupters. It's looking at how are these things happening to these

chemicals for people who are already exposed, and looking at the strongest predictors of exposure in order to avoid. Right now, it's pretty tough for someone to just decide to avoid these chemicals. We have to work to the next level to provide the best science to inform for the best policy decisions.”

Consumers have power, and have proved the power of the purse, as evidenced by pushing large flooring retailers to stop selling flooring products with phthalates. In 2014, researchers found that of 65 vinyl flooring tiles tested from flooring samples purchased from major home improvement stores, including Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Menards, and Lumber Liquidators, 38 samples – 58 percent – contained phthalates. Lumber Liquidators and Ace Hardware had phthalates in 100 percent of their flooring samples; Lowe's samples contained phthalates in 48 percent of their samples; and Menards, 23 percent of their samples.

In 2015, researchers from the Ecology Center linked the phthalates in these flooring tiles to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity, and cancer.

Most of the vinyl tile flooring samples contained one or more hazardous chemicals, and the phthalates found in them are currently subject to a pending ban by the European Union. Following this study and consumer outcries, Home Depot made a commitment to phase out phthalates by the end of 2015, and Lumber Liquidators reported it is working with suppliers to transition to alternative products, although it has not set a deadline for when that will be completed.

“When the industry is moving away from a compound, it is imperative they don't replace it with another one that is also toxic, or that is not tested,” said Columbia's Whyatt. “At least twothirds of phthalates are not tested. We have to replace them with chemicals we know are not dangerous.

“There's almost no successful regulations in the United States that a chemical that is taken off the market will not be replaced with one that is (also) a hazard because they are not tested. Our regulatory system is broken,” she emphasized.

“There are probably safer compounds. When you have a group of chemicals that every single human in the United States is exposed to, including every single pregnant woman has in their body and passes through to their fetus, with multiple health outcomes, it's time to take action.

It's a pretty obvious outcome. We don't want our children to be our guinea pigs.”

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FACES Michael Manasseri ncouraged by Michigan's now-defunct film incentives, actor, producer, and director Michael Manasseri relocated to Rochester Hills to be close to his family, and form his own studio.

A star on the 1990s sitcom Weird Science, Manasseri learned about directing from working in front of the camera, and keeping his eye on those working behind it.

“I had the wherewithal to say, ‘I should watch these guys more, and see what’s really going on here,’ and that’s how I really learned how to direct and produce,” said Manasseri.

To pay it forward, Manasseri, in his 40s now, partnered with Oakland University to offer behind the scenes experience to others. “With my work, I try to bring on as many students in the cinema studios program as I can, for them to experience being on the set, in sound, make-up, wardrobe, directing, or producing.

They tend to have a lot of fun. They realize, quickly, how intense and difficult the work is.

“Every career has its difficulties no matter what you do – a writer, doctor, construction worker. It just so happens that the film world is one of the most competitive careers in the world, especially the independent film world, because it’s not just about directing film, but also about how do you finance the film, putting investment groups together,” and sorting out the other nuts and bolts of the business.

Before departing from California, Manasseri worked on films including 'Dirty Love,' 'Babysitter Wanted,' and ‘William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet.’

This October, ‘The Pickle Recipe,’ a comedy filmed in Detroit and directed by Manasseri, will appear in local theaters.

“It’s a sweet heartwarming, funny film, so I’m told,” he said, from Los Angeles where the movie appeared at various festivals in May. “The family in the film is Jewish. It could be Italian –‘The Spaghetti Recipe,’” he joked.

Written and produced by metro Detroiters Gary Wolfson and Sheldon Cohn, “It’s based off of true events,” Manasseri said.

“Gary’s grandmother made an amazing kosher dill pickle. He still remembers the smell, taste, everything. It was back in 2010, Gary mentioned to Sheldon, ‘I would have killed for my grandmother’s kosher dill recipe.’ The truth is, it went away with her. And they thought it could be the crux of a funny comedy.”

In 2009, when Michigan’s now-defunct film incentives were still rolling, Manasseri founded his production company Made In Michigan Entertainment, now Flux Capacitor Studios, in Rochester.

“I love it, and I love downtown. We’re in Rochester Hills, but we're in downtown Rochester all the time. One of my only semivices would be coffee and (Dessert Oasis) has killer coffee,” he said. “I’m in there a couple times a week, and if I need to get away and write for a couple hours, that’s a great place to go.”

An avid runner, he appreciates the environment in which he lives. “The trails, the Clinton River Trail and Paint Creek, I’m literally running through Rochester and Rochester Hills five days a week. So when I think about how my family is in the area, for us it’s about family and having great neighbors, and a terrific healthy lifestyle.”

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Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Laurie Tennent

MUNICIPAL Rochester Hills receives clean audit

Concerns about school traffic voiced

By Kevin Elliott

By Kevin Elliott

Auditors with the accounting firm Plante Moran on Monday, May 16, issued an "unmodified opinion," of accounting practices conducted at the city for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2015.

An "unmodified opinion" is the highest rating of practices that can be given in the annual audit of municipal accounting practices, meaning that processes and accounts are properly stated and done to the highest level of assurance.

Overall, the city has done well at funding legacy costs related to retirement benefit liabilities owed by the city, as well as addressing capital improvement needs throughout the community, while the majority of cities in the state struggle with such expenditures, said Lisa Manetta, senior manager with Plante Moran.

"As revenues have stabilized somewhat over the past few years, we see two significant issues that communities are grappling with in different ways. The first being legacy costs, so the cost of supplying health care benefits and pension benefits to retirees, certainly is something that you hear talked about quite a lot, and a lot of communities do have very significant liabilities that they are looking at when they work with their actuality to see what their total liability is for retired employees and current employees earning pension benefits.

These numbers can be staggering," Manetta said. "Here in Rochester Hills, things are different. Your liabilities are much more measured than what it is in other communities, and you have funded that liability."

Another challenge many communities are facing relates to investment in capital.

"When economies faced a downturn, a lot of communities put a very hard stop at investing in capital, improving roads and infrastructure. That's the first place to look, and there can be a lot of dollars there. It's the easiest place to hold back, but obviously you can't do that forever," Manetta said. "As revenues are stabilizing, many communities are looking to address those capital needs. Rochester Hills was no different...but what sets you apart is that you continued to incorporate that into your longer-term budget and five-year financial forecast, and now in 2014 and 2015, you have addressed that to a higher level to address those necessary improvements."

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bout 50 residents on Monday, May 16, attended the Rochester Hills City Council meeting to voice their concerns about how a future preschool near Auburn and John R roads may impact traffic in their nearby subdivisions.

The Rochester Hills planning commission in February approved plans to build a 10,992 square-foot Goddard School day care and preschool at the southwest corner of Auburn and Graham Drive, just west of John R Road. The school is expected to accommodate about 140 students, as well as nearly two dozen staff members. However, residents in the nearby Country Club Village of Rochester Hills subdivision and the adjacent Wildflower subdivision who attended the city council meeting said they believe the school could cause more vehicles to use their subdivision as a cut-through.

"The Goddard project has been approved, but it's not too late to control the traffic that will come as a result," said resident Patrick Winters, who said that cars cutting through the subdivision often speed through at 35 or 40 mph. "We are asking council to be proactive to avoid tragedy, so we aren't all here being reactive to a tragedy."

In total, about 22 residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Those who spoke said the cut-through traffic stated it makes it unsafe for children in the subdivision neighborhoods, and also makes exiting and entering the subdivision from Auburn Road difficult and dangerous.

"We can't have our kids play outside; they have to play in the backyard," one resident said.

Addressing the issue, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said while he was aware of some of the traffic issues in the area, he hadn't heard more than one complaint about traffic in the subdivisions over the past six months. However, he said actions such as directed patrols by the sheriff's office to crack down on speeders, as well as potentially adding speed bumps in the subdivision could help with part of the problem.

However, he said, because the plan didn't require any special variances or rezoning, it doesn't need further approval from council, and that there's nothing that council can do to stop the Goddard School project from moving forward.

"It was before the planning commission in February," he said. "It's a permitted use for the zoning there. There was no rezoning or variances required." As such, he said there were no notifications to residents who said they just learned about the plans for the school in recent days.

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While Manetta said there has been a decline in fund balance, there is a "structural surplus" in the city's budget, meaning that revenues surpass overall expenditures.

In total, the city's total revenues grew by more than $5.5 million from 2012 to 2015 while expenditures went up by about $13.5 million, due in large part to an increase in capital outlay projects. While the city's overall fund balance declined by more than $5.2 million during the same time period, 2015 marked the first year the balance fell below $82.3 million since 2012.

The largest source of revenue for the city is property tax revenues, followed by state sources of state-shared revenue and road funds provided by the state. The greatest expenditures are in public safety and capital outlay projects.

While auditors gave the city a clean

bill in regard to operations, Manetta did say there were some adjustments they recommend the city address in the future.

"We did find a few adjustments that were required to be made to the books and adjustments, and as a result of that we think there is some room for improvements," Manetta said. "Really, it boils down to adjustments that are complex in nature. When it comes to the day-to-day operations, such as cash receipts and cash disbursements and things that are coming through on a daily basis, things are OK there. But, when it comes to some of these complex areas, we recommend that management take a look at these, identify that they are different and require some more processing, and put another level of review in place to make sure that they are consistently accounted for."

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City council members unanimously agreed to accept the findings of the audit.

PSD rate hike for downtown businesses

By Katie Deska

Increased rates for a special assessment district of downtown Rochester, which includes commercial properties located in the Principal Shopping District (PSD), will take effect on July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019.

Following a discussion on the matter that took place at the April 25 council meeting, city council members voted, 4-3, on Monday, May 9, to approve the new rates, which are evaluated every three years. The average increase per category is $40, $30, or $20 per 1,000 square feet annually, based on location.

The property owner, who receives the assessment bill on an annual basis, can choose to pass the cost along to the tenant, if the building is not vacant. The amount billed to each property is calculated using an equation that takes into account the square footage, where it’s located, and whether the property being assessed is a first, second or third floor space.

“I’m a business owner and property owner. The PSD was passed to me as a business owner, and now I’m a property owner (who owns the business). It will cost $80 a year more for our business.” said mayor Cathy Daldin, who voted in favor of the rate increase along with mayor pro tem Kim Russell and council members Ben Giovanelli and Rob Ray. Opponents to the new rates included council members Stuart Bikson, Jeffrey Cuthbertson and Ann Peterson.

The debate centered on the topic of “measurables,” and how the PSD does not use quantitative measures to evaluate the success or failure of the public awareness program, marketing and promotion efforts, and special events. Currently the PSD evaluates events and marketing efforts by considering factors including foot traffic, merchant sales, number and quality of vendors and sponsors, and general attendance, said Kristi Trevarrow, director for the PSD and executive director of the city’s Downtown Development Authority.

Trevarrow and PSD chairman Alan Smith made a presentation to city council that provided council and the public an overview of what the PSD does year around, which involves 06.16

Lead, copper found in school water

By Katie Deska

s leaders from Rochester Community Schools work with experts to investigate the cause of a water sample that revealed trace amounts of lead, a water distribution audit was conducted for a single wing of Rochester High School, 180 S. Livernois Road, recently, said Lori Grein, director of community relations for the district.

In response to heightened concern over heavy metals in drinking water, Rochester Community Schools’ officials voluntarily tested the water at all 21 district schools and facilities, checking for levels of lead and copper.

A sample collected from one of the school’s fixtures on Saturday, February 20, measured .009 milligrams of lead per liter, prompting the district to shut off water to that wing. The amount of lead that sounds alarms, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act, is .015 milligrams per liter. While the sample of concern was still below the federally established action level, the district “is not just sitting,” said Grein. “Until we can figure out what’s going on, the water is turned off in the laboratories area.”

The sample under scrutiny was collected by Nova Environment, Inc., and evaluated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Water was collected upon first-draw, when water in the pipes had been sitting idle, rather than after it had been flushed.

The district is actively consulting with an independent master plumber and Nova Environmental, Inc. to establish the next steps for the laboratories wing of Rochester High School.

“Experts are thinking there’s something in that wing. It’s an older wing, and that’s what they need to evaluate. We need their advice on what to do. Right now, we're looking at options,” said Grein.

No other area or building is of concern with regard to lead; however, subsequent tests, conducted in March, revealed elevated levels of copper at Delta Kelly Elementary School, 3880 Adams Road in Oakland Township. “(Testing) was all our own doing – no one directed us to do it,” said Grein, “We took additional (lead) samples to confirm the original tests, and to test for copper. We’d been consulting with environmental experts and it was something they said would be a good idea to check,” she said, noting that a number of years ago, one school had its pipes treated for copper.

“Of the 63 samples taken, lead levels remained undetected or well below the action level set by the EPA. Copper levels, however, were found to be elevated above the action level set by the EPA in 39 of the 63 samples,” at Delta Kelly Elementary School, said Grein.

“The action level established by the EPA for copper in drinking water is 1.3 milligrams per liter.” No other district school had any elevated copper levels, Grein indicated.

As a result, all drinking water sources at the elementary school have been disabled since the test results were received on March 24. Students and staff are being provided with bottled water in the interim, until the district is confident that copper levels are restored to amounts below the action level.

“On March 24, the district contacted DiHydro Services, along with the Oakland County Environmental Health Department. At that time, the health department recommended that we wait to treat the piping system until we learn if fixture replacements resolved the copper issue. Subsequent testing basically revealed that the copper levels remained unchanged even after the district changed the faucets and bubblers,” Grein said.

“DiHydro then started treating the pipes at Delta Kelly on April 19 with a food-grade solution. On May 17, the district received the water test results following the treatment. Those results indicate that copper levels are below the action level set by the EPA. The district is currently working with the environmental experts to assess a path forward for Delta Kelly,” she said. “Rochester Community Schools remains proactive in its approach to ensure all students and staff have clean drinking water.”

To pay for the voluntary water testing and bottled water, Rochester Community Schools has drawn from the general fund, specifically the custodial and operations fund.

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retail-driven events, such as sidewalk sales; special community events, such as Fire & Ice; general awareness campaigns, such as maintaining an active presence on social media; and other cooperative advertising and marketing partnerships via sponsorship and vendors for events.

During council deliberation, council member Rob Ray suggested an example concept. “I’m picturing some kind of score chart for Fire & Ice, for every PSD event. Whatever characteristic – sponsoring, vendors, register ringing – (ranked) on a scale of one to ten. If you were to rank each of them, it has to score 25, and you can have a nine on one end and a two on another (characteristic), but on balance it meets a metric,” said Ray. “I’m pontificating some measure that you can then demonstrate some of those things.”

Reflecting on the contributions of the PSD to the vibrancy of Rochester, Peterson said, “There’s so many things that you are doing. I know the value, but I see where some businesses are coming (who don’t want to pay), but I do know the high quality of the vendors. I know what you’re doing downtown because I’ve lived it. I just want to be mindful of those who are coming in and saying they’re not getting that service. I’d be happy if we did all this minus the (outlier properties).”

Russell expressed the potential need to look at the map, which shows the boundaries for the special assessment district, but made a motion to move ahead with the proposed ordinance without considering changing the boundaries at this time.

The boundaries for the district are set by the city council, with the bulk of the district comprising properties situated on the main arteries of downtown, including Main Street and University Drive, and sections of the east-west corridors that traverse Walnut, East Street and Water Street.

The southern border of the district is just south of South Street, and the northern border is just south of Woodward Avenue.

With the new rates, the PSD assessment to property owners will generate $254,034 in revenue annually, according to the city ordinance, which will go into the PSD budget. In addition, the Downtown Development Authority will contribute $150,000, and sponsorship and fees will generate $290,147.

The assessment is capped at $7,500, and those properties that have reached the cap will see no

change to their rate. Those businesses include the Royal Park Hotel, Sunrise Assisted Living, Western Knitting Mill, River Square Main and River Square University.

During council deliberations, Cuthbertson proposed an amendment to the ordinance, to change the effective period to “June 30, 2017, instead of 2019. I think this council would be prudent to put a timeline on the PSD to do the things they say they’ll do,” he said.

Giovanelli spoke up to propose a different amendment, in which he suggested, “we ask the PSD to return to council within 12 months of today, and at that time we can renew the TIF (tax increment financing plan).”

Russell agreed to the motion of approving the three-year special assessment, with a review in one year. Cuthbertson then posed a question to fellow council members, referencing the body’s “political will,” stating, “What if it (a quantitative method of evaluation) doesn’t come in 12 months?” To which Russell said, “I think we’re really close, I’m not going down the road of threatening.”

At that time, Daldin called the vote, in which members voted 4-3 to approve the city ordinance establishing increased rates effective through June 30, 2019, and putting a requirement on the PSD to return in one year, enabling the council to evaluate the body’s progress on council’s request of a more definite plan of evaluation for their work.

On a macro scale, the PSD aims to build “awareness of Rochester as a destination,” stated Trevarrow.

Rochester approves budget on split vote After months of deliberation, study sessions and various adjustments, Rochester City Council approved the budget for fiscal year 2016-2017, on a vote of 5-2, with council members Stuart Bikson and Ann Peterson dissenting.

In his presentation of the spending plan, city manager Blaine Wing discussed general fund expenditures and revenues; millage rates and taxable values; accomplishments made in fiscal year 2016, and highlights of the year to come.

For the 2016-2017 budget, total revenue is expected to come in at $25.4 million. Of that, the general fund’s revenue accounts for $11.6 million, and revenue from water and sewer fund accounts for $5.2 million.

Real estate taxes contribute 60 percent of the general fund.

The real estate tax rate decreased for the upcoming year from 12.0289 mills to 12.0249 mills due to the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment, as overall taxable value increased .58 percent. The Older Persons’ Commission operations millage also decreased, from a rate of .2425 mills to .2385 mills.

Total expenditures for the city of Rochester are budgeted at $24.6 million. Nearly half of all expenses go toward the general fund, which pays for police, fire and public works.

The city’s fiscal year runs from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

The 2017 fund balance, or the variation between the government’s assets and liabilities, is $39,500 less than the projected 2016 fund balance.

“Overall, the projected fund balance will be just under $10.5 million this year,” said Wing. “We’re utilizing just over $1 million of general fund balance, which is either used or set aside. Of that amount, a half a million (dollars) is being set aside for future road improvements, so that wouldn’t be used. The next remaining portion, $505,000, is being used on one-time expenditures, leaving the remaining $69,879 being spent on the new police officer and K-9.”

Major projects approved for the 2017 budget include $500,000 for paving roads in Stony Pointe subdivision, new technology to replace 30-year-old resource planning software, and the Municipal Park sundial to commemorate the community’s 200th anniversary, which is budgeted at $190,000, but has the potential to decrease in cost to the city as public fundraising ensues.

“There’s always something you’re going to like or love, and absolutely

hate. I think (council) all worked together to compromise to come up with a budget that is in the best interest of the residents in the community that we live and serve for,” said mayor Cathy Daldin. “I also think we have very heavy lifting to do with infrastructure concerns, and some planning to do for next couple years, and I don’t just mean next couple, I mean quite a few. I do think that all of us are ready for that.”

But not all council members agreed.

“To me, this budget, it didn’t set priorities, it’s just ‘we need all this stuff and we're going do it because we have the money.’ But, what about next year?” said Bikson. “For the first time in all my years on the council I will vote against this budget.”

“I have to agree with Mr. Bikson, regarding the deficit spending,” said Peterson. “I don’t feel, overall, we have made a ton of sacrifices up here.”

No go to cats on leashes in ordinance

By Katie Deska

Prompted by complaints to the city, Rochester City Council, on Monday, May 9 and May 23, evaluated its ordinance that governs cats and dogs, leaving it unchanged, meaning dogs but not cats must be leashed.

City attorney Jeffrey Kragt explained that there were nuisance complaints from residents of three properties, and said, “We’ve brought to citation, if you will, on two separate occasions.”

Providing context, Kragt told council of an individual who complained that a particular cat reportedly was “creating quite a disturbance at the neighbor’s property.” When the city attempted

Design work approved for 114-acre Riverbend Park wo architectural and engineering contracts for a pond project at the city's 114-acre Riverbend Park were approved by the Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, May 16.

Rochester Parks and Forestry Director Ken Elwert requested authorization of a $60,000 contract with DesignTeam Plus of Birmingham to provide landscape architectural design services for the development of a pond area at the park.

Elwert also requested approval of a $10,000 contract with engineering firm Hubble, Roth and

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to remedy the situation, by referencing its pet ordinance, officials found enforcement was difficult.

While the ordinance requires cats and dogs be maintained under reasonable control at all times, the specific definition of the term ‘reasonable control’ applied only to dogs. The attorney was asked to draft language to improve enforcement capabilities. In a memo, Kragt stated, “While the city believes that the current ordinance covers cats, clarification is appropriate.”

Proposed language to amend the ordinance stated, “Dogs and cats shall be maintained under reasonable control at all times and shall not be permitted to run at large.” This brought up questions of how to restrict an outdoor cat solely to the owner’s property, and how to deal with feral cats.

In turn, council members found themselves chuckling as they debated whether or not the ordinance should be amended to require cats on leashes, when the cats were not on their owners’ property.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the problem,” said Kragt. “We recognize this will be difficult to police. This is a tool. It would not be going out and seeing if there are cats going around, but when we tried to enforce, we found that the ordinance as it was had issues with it. When compliance is not reached in a friendly (manner), this would clarify the next step.”

Responding, council member Ben Giovanelli said, “I can appreciate needing more tools in the toolbox.

I’m happy to support it if you think it’s warranted.”

Mayor Cathy Daldin stated, “I have issues with the enforcement.

We’ve had complaints, and I can see

Clark, of Bloomfield Hills, for construction engineering services.

Both contracts revolve around the pond area in the phase II portion of the park's strategic planning framework, which was approved by council in January.

The contracts are part of $750,000 included in the city's 2016-17 budget for projects at the park.

However, the funds will ultimately come from the city's general fund, as Riverbend Park is new and there haven't yet been any funds accumulated in the facilities fund dedicated towards it.

Council members in January approved a master plan for the park, making it the first in the city in nearly two decades to have a development

why it’s needed,” but, she noted, it seemed “silly.”

Council member Stuart Bikson followed, “I agree with what the attorney is saying, but it’s hard to support something that is silly and unenforceable, as mayor Daldin said.

That we voted to have cats on leashes sounds ridiculous.”

On a vote of 1-5, with council member Rob Ray absent and Jeffrey Cuthbertson the sole vote in favor of changes to the ordinance, it did not pass.

Prior to council deliberation, former city mayor Penny Crissman, who was in the audience, stepped up to the podium to address the issue. Crissman was Rochester’s mayor when the original ordinance was created.

“It was an arduous task to try to please everyone. We decided that it was in the best interest of the city that cats had rabies shots, and we thought the only way to do that was to require licensing,” said Crissman.

“I don’t expect them to be on leashes. What I’m here to say is that we intended it (how it was written), and that was the way everybody was satisfied with it 25 years ago.”

Cedarbrook senior living units postponed Cedarbrook of Rochester, a fivestory, 142-unit senior residential facility slated for 790 Letica Drive, on the southeast corner of Parkdale Road, was discussed by Rochester City Council on Monday, May 23, but a vote on the project was postponed until the next council meeting on Monday, June 13.

The upscale senior living home is modeled after Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills, a smaller facility located on Woodward Avenue, north of Long Lake Road, and will offer

plan. Bordered by Hamlin Road to the south, the park consists of a portion of the Clinton River, two ponds, wetlands and various vegetation and woodland areas. The park originally consisted of 70 acres, but another 44 acres were added in recent years to expand the northern section of the park.

Long-term plans for the park include the use of kinetic art throughout the park; a large mound that incorporates a water wall and sundial overlooking the large pond; a cascade waterfall; gazebo; small pond for ice skating and toy boats; senior and universal play areas; a sensory garden for children with autism or other special needs; and several trail and boardwalk improvements.

independent and assisted living, in addition to memory and respite care.

Proposed by Michael Damone, president of the Damone Group, Cedarbrook is intended to fill a need in the senior community.

After the city planning commission voted on April 4, to recommend that city council approve the project, the project came before city council on Monday, May 23, when Damone presented final plans, and took questions from the council.

Deliberations ensued, and council member Jeffrey Cuthbertson made a motion to approve the project.

However, after discussion amongst other council members about lack of time to consider the project, Cuthbertson withdrew his motion.

The details of the project weren’t provided to council until the day prior, in the meeting packet that was given to council on Sunday evening.

The council postponed the vote until the next meeting, “based on some people not having enough time,” said mayor Cathy Daldin.

At five stories, the building ranges from 69 to 82 feet in height. The first floor is common space, with a billiards and room, a movie theater, a spa/salon, dining areas, and Claire’s Café, a ‘50s-style diner named after Damone’s late mother. The second floor is for residents needing memory care; the third floor houses residents who require assistance; and the top two floors are composed of apartments designed for independent living.

Because the site is zoned as a research park, not a residential use as proposed, a special exception permit is necessary which, as explained by city planner Vidya Krishnan, stipulates that Damone "demonstrate(s) that the project brings something unique to the city and contributes to the public benefit."

To do so, Damone has worked with the Older Persons' Commission, also located on Letica, to establish a project that will provide benefits to the citizens as a whole. The Damone Group will fund the construction of a concrete apron around the entrance to the senior center, with lighting and fall prevention markings, to decrease the risk of falls. He is also working with the city to implement an infrastructure improvement by completing the water main loop.

A resident from a nearby subdivision attended the meeting and spoke in opposition to the project, citing the building’s large size and consequential disruption to the area’s appeal. downtownpublications.com

Bicentennial sundial gets green light

By Katie Deska

ollowing the lead of the city council, Rochester planning commissioners voted on Monday, May 2, 6-0, with commissioners Jon Kingsepp, Jeffrey Cuthbertson, and mayor Cathy Daldin absent, to approve the bicentennial sundial project, funding for which was previously approved by council.

The $190,000 project, celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the city’s settlement, was finalized on Monday, May 9, when the city council voted to approve the 2016-2017 budget.

The ‘Golden Bicentennial’ is being commemorated by a sculptural project intended to be equally informative as it is symbolic.

A few years ago, the city beautiful commission began brainstorming ideas, and eventually settled on a large sundial to be constructed near the duck pond in Municipal Park. Located north of University Avenue, and west of Main Street, the park's sundial will keep time and provide a snapshot into the history of the city for the last 20 decades. Bronze plaques, engraved with key points from each decade, will appear on stones encircling the sundial. The city's historical commission will be integral in choosing the language that will appear on the plaques.

Tad Krear, owner of Land Design Studio, presented to planning commissioners the details of the design, which have gone through multiple revisions and adjustments.

Russell Thayer, a noted local sculpture artist, said he will craft the sleek gnomon – the tall, angular structure that casts a shadow – from aluminum or steel, and paint it with a fade-proof and rust-proof paint.

“It’s part of a whole project, so you don’t want to take away from the rest of the landscaping and rocks, so we went simple,” Thayer said, describing the time-keeping art piece as having a “sail-shape curve to it.

We wanted it graceful and elegant.”

The public will be able to purchase and engrave stones and bricks reclaimed from Main Street, with a name, or words of their choice. All funds raised will go into the city’s capital fund.

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“Put the three-story building from Bloomfield, and we’re all pretty much happy. It’s just this massive structure,” the resident said.

South Street Flats one step closer Consideration of a site plan and special project approval, along with a public hearing, have been scheduled for South Street Flats, a proposed development consisting of two six-story apartment buildings with a total of 88 units, slated for 110 South Street, in Rochester.

The city’s planning commissioners voted Monday, May 2, to place the item on an upcoming agenda on a vote of 6-0, with commissioners Jon Kingsepp, Jeffrey Cuthbertson and mayor Cathy Daldin absent.

“The next meeting (on Monday, June 6) is the big meeting, where they approve it or don’t,” said developer Joe LoChirco, whose other project, First Street Lofts, is currently under construction at 112 Walnut

Boulevard in Rochester. “That’s why we know this next project will work out, because the demand (for First Street Lofts) is such that we want to get into another project.”

He is seeking special project approval, which is required to build an entirely residential development in an area that has been zoned in the city’s 2014 master plan as mixed-use. To be approved for the special permit, the applicant must show that the project will provide adequate public benefit.

To that end, LoChirco purchased a neighboring piece of property to be transformed into a public green space. “We bought another parcel of land next to ours on the river, and we will create a park area, so anyone can enjoy it. We’ll put a bench, green space, and brick pavers, so you can have a picnic and sit and enjoy the river,” he said.

LoChirco proposed to continue the existing sidewalk, adding a new stretch that will connect with the Clinton River Trail. “The sidewalk comes from our property, up South Street, over the bridge, connects to

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the trail and then you can cross the trail. The sidewalk continues up the street, and when we get done with First Street (Lofts), there will be a sidewalk connection there,” LoChirco told commissioners. “With this project, if we do the park area and sidewalk connection, you’ll be able to walk to downtown without having to walk on the side of the road. It will help connect people to downtown.”

LoChirco has been in discussion with the planning commission for a number of months. His previous proposals had been met with concern from commissioners regarding the aesthetics of the contemporary-style building, and the qualifications it would need for a special exception permit.

Commission chairman Joseph Tori requested LoChirco provide something tangible at the next meeting “to indicate the public benefit. You’ve articulated it, but I don’t know that even I have a clear view of what that is,” said Tori, reiterating that it would be very valuable to be provided with “something that depicts that (public benefit) in a way that makes it evident to everyone.”

Another hang up at previous meetings involved LoChirco’s ambiguity regarding whether he would offer the units as rental apartments or condos for purchase.

This prevented the planning commission from moving the project ahead.

LoChirco has since restated his plans to rent the units as apartments. However, he noted that, “They’re expensive to build, and the people who would buy them are the same people that would rent them – it’s not a different clientele. There’s a certain price you need to sell, but renting, you can make the numbers work. My argument is that you need to make sure you have a quality product and the market will dictate.”

LoChirco is expected to provide the commission with supplemental information and more detailed plans at the next planning commission meeting, Monday, June 6.

Pine Street mixed use project tabled

By Katie Deska

A three-story mixed-use development, slated for a .18-acre site south of the Rochester Municipal Complex, has been tabled, allowing developer Jim Polyzois, along with 47

Ralph Nunez, of DesignTeam Plus, to gather additional information to be presented to city officials and planning commissioners at a future meeting.

On Monday, May 2, a public hearing was held during the city's planning commission meeting, and commissioners deliberated on the project, which consists of two office spaces and three residential units at 527 Pine Street.

“We’re taking an existing parking lot that is surplus parking, and we’re proposing, basically, a small commercial space of 1,800-square feet and three luxury condos,” said Nunez.

“We’re bringing the (property) onto the tax rolls to benefit the community. Five Twenty One (Pine Street, across the street from the proposed site) has all (the parking) they need for their property. They only need 21 spaces, and we’re keeping those, and taking the excess parking and putting it as better utilization of land.”

The city planner, Vidya Krishnan, of McKenna Associates, recommended approval of the project to the commission. However, a handful of commissioners voiced concerns, and with the absence of three of the nine commissioners at the meeting, approval of the project looked dim.

After a series of questions and answers between the commission and the applicants, commissioner David Gassen stated, “I think there’s possibilities with this development to make it work, but what you’re asking for approval, to me, I’m just one commissioner. I don’t see it as a model that would be approvable.”

He then made a motion to table the item, thereby giving the developer the opportunity to review the commission’s concerns. On a vote of 6-0, with mayor Cathy Daldin, Jon Kingsepp, and Jeffrey Cuthbertson absent, the commission voted in favor of tabling the item.

Prior to the vote, commissioner Christopher Koehler brought up his concerns about a zero set back.

“I understand that the property across the street has a zero setback – however, the other two properties on the same street have a 10- and a 15foot setback, (which is) much closer to the required 15-foot setback,” said Koehler. “Not to mention, that the building proposed at 527 Pine, as handsome as it is, is quite massive. It’s considerably taller than one at 530 Pine and you’re kind of creating a corridor between 530 and 527 (Pine Street) that will feel very tight in my 48

Water, sewer rates increasing

By Kevin Elliott

he Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, May 16, accepted the introduction of a water and sewer ordinance to address changes in water and sewer rates in the city.

The changes came at the request of the city’s Water and Sewer Technical Review Committee based on recent rate change notices received by the North Oakland County Water Authority (NOCWA) of changes to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) water rates, and the Oakland County Water Resources Commission (OCWRC) for changes to sewer rates.

The city receives water from the Great Lakes Water Authority, by way of the North Oakland County Water Authority, and sewer service from Oakland County.

Keith Sawdon, director of finance for the city, said in a letter to council that a “breakeven” methodology was used to develop water and sewer charges, which are expected to change on or about July 1, 2016, and end June 30, 2017.

Based on the committee’s review, the city’s water commodity rate will increase to $5.70 per 100 cubic feet, or by 7.1 percent, and the sewer commodity rate to $5.60 per 100 cubic, or an increase of 4.3 percent.

Further, the customer charge, which includes the cost of servicing customers, meter replacement, billing, meter reading and other services, will increase from $5.80 per bill to $6 per bill. The sewage, non-metered flat rate is proposed at $67.20 per bill, or an increase of 4.3 percent.

In addition, various industrial high surcharge rates from the Great Lakes Water Authority, formerly the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, will pass through to Rochester Hills industrial customers, increasing by an average of 3 percent. Non-residential industrial waste control rates from the GLWA will also continue to be a pass through to industrial customers, and increase by an average of 2.7 percent.

Overall, the average residential user will see their water and sewer bill go from $134.08 to $141.60, or about a 5.6 percent increase, Sawdon said. The flat rate sewer bill will increase by about $2.86 per bill, or 4.2 percent, under the proposed ordinance.

T

mind. It feels to me we're pushing it too close to the street. I know for a fact we don’t make a consideration for zero setbacks in residential.”

In this case, the planning commission is at liberty to approve a zero-foot setback, should they vote to do so, as Nunez hopes. He argued that setting the building back further from the street poses problems to the project and would disrupt the design.

“The (three residential) units are designed with a 20-foot interior space, wall to wall width. If we reduce those down, now you get an almost shotgun effect, and it makes it almost unmarketable,” said Nunez. “If we did that, it would most likely render the project non-doable. It makes it financially difficult to achieve the goals.”

Commissioner Joseph Tori, who echoed Koehler’s concerns over the zero-foot setback, stated, “I wonder if an intent to maximize the use of a site is by itself a compelling enough reason for allowing a zero-set back.”

Nunez told commissioners the design is harmonious to the surrounding area, even with a zero-foot setback. “It’s not a typical building with (only) a finished front façade. It has four good fronts, based on the materials being selected and used. I think it’s a good proposal and, had we had the full commission there, I think it would have been a different turn out,” he said. “We’re willing to look at the plans to see what we can do to help improve the situation.”

Rochester Hills to buy new ambulances Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, May 16, approved spending about $1.2 million to purchase five ambulances under a cooperative purchasing program with Farmington Hills, Warren, Northville and Commerce Township.

Rochester Hills Fire Chief Sean Canto said the city's last major ambulance purchase was made in

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2009. Since then, he said the aging vehicles have cost the city about $225,000 due to maintenance costs and repairs.

"On a weekly basis, we are experiencing ambulances facing some kind of mechanical issue," Canto said.

Canto said the new ambulances are based on a Freightliner chassis, which is a heavy-duty, medium truck chassis that he said will be more efficient and stand up to wear and tear better, thus lowering maintenance costs. Canto said the city's department of public services estimates the new ambulances will save the city about $24,000 per each ambulance over a sixyear lifespan of the vehicle.

Council unanimously approved purchasing the ambulances from Marque Ambulance in an amount not to exceed just under $1.3 million. The funds will be taken from the city's fire capital fund.

Planners approve Sanctuary condos The Rochester Hills Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 17, recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) concept plan for a 14-unit condominium development located just east of Sanctuary Boulevard and north of South Boulevard.

The site, named Sanctuary in the Hills Condominium East, is next to the Sanctuary in the Hills Condominium West development and north of Deerfield Elementary School. The applicant, Dan MacLeish, of MacLeish Building, Inc., is also proposing to purchase a portion of city-owned property to the south for use as a retention pond.

MacLeish is proposing 14 2,600 square-foot homes, with prices starting at $475,000, accessed off of a 27-foot wide private road on the east of Sanctuary Boulevard. The proposed 14 units would have a density of 3.06 units per acre.

Rochester Planning Manager Sara Roediger said MacLeish was before the planning commission in May of 2015 to discuss the project, as well as to get guidance and input. The Planned Unit Development plan is intended to show the location of site improvements, buildings, utilities and landscaping , in order to provide the overall layout and impact of the development.

The planning commission recommended sending the plan to city council, and it will come before that body at a later date for final approval.

06.16

PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Rochester area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.

Rochester/Rochester Hills 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.

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.

Cheng’s Restaurant: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2666 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.9450.

Chili’s: Tex-Mex. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2735 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.299.5281.

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,

downtownpublications.com

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.

Johnny Black Public House: American.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1711 E. Auburn

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49

FRONT/BACK Front/Back is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening in both the front of the house and back of the house in the restaurants in the metro Detroit area.

Memorializing Morrie Aaron F. Belen, owner of AFB Hospitality restaurants Bistro 82 and Sabrage, located on the first and second floors of 401 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, is bringing a new hot spot to downtown Royal Oak with The Morrie, a roadhouse style restaurant at 511 S. Main Street, expected to open by the end of July. Executive chef Derik Watson, who’s been with Belen since the launch of Bistro 82, is curating the menu. “We’re calling it eclectic roadhouse cuisine,” said Belen, “or in layman’s terms, great bar food. You could eat here seven days a week.” He’s aiming to reach a broad audience by providing dishes that are “approachable and affordable,” served in a “wonderful atmosphere.” The Morrie, which will have an outdoor patio, will likely host live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and the 7,400 square foot building is suitable for events. “I was named 2015 Business Man of the Year for the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce. We’re very rooted in Royal Oak – it’s not a short term thing.”

Seafood and veggie spot Marc Bogoff, chef-owner of Stockyard food truck, and friend Eli Boyer, formerly of Gold Cash Gold, will launch a seafood and vegetable-focused restaurant, equipped with a raw bar. Located across from Luxury Lanes bowling alley, at 600 Vester Avenue in Ferndale, Bogoff said construction on the currently unnamed restaurant will begin in early June, with hopes of an autumn opening. “Raw seafood bars are great. I love eating oysters,” said Bogoff. “We’ll have different ceviches, and there will be a small seafood bar in addition to 15 composed dishes. Everything will be scratchmade, a wide variety.” Bogoff and Boyer crossed paths in Detroit’s culinary scene, and discovered they could “help each other out,” said Bogoff, who brings creativity to the kitchen, while Boyer focuses on management. In its third year, Bogoff’s Stockyard is rolling around serving up fresh eats, and looking for a permanent space to call home.

Italian chef returns home After closing for a brief hiatus, Troy’s Tre Monti Ristorante, 1695 Big Beaver Road, will reopen in early June with an innovate new menu, crafted by the Italian restaurant’s latest executive chef, Benedetto Palazzolo.

Palazzolo recently returned from Italy to his home state after training at The International School of Italian Cuisine in Parma. He previously studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York, and worked at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. “We’re keeping all Italian cuisine, with an infusion of French techniques and Asian influence,” said the 23-year-old, noting all of the pastas at Tre Monti are made from scratch. Describing how these flavors can mesh, he described the lemon saffron pasta dish, topped with sea urchin. “You get beautiful lemon flavor from the sauce, which complements the texture of pasta, but that urchin is buttery, with a fishy flavor but the lemon complements it. And a little spice from red Thai peppers.” With a focus on courses that excite various parts of the palate, Palazzolo whips up elaborate deserts, including the surprisingly entertaining Chocolate Piñata Spears, eaten right off the table. “They’re nine-inches in diameter, and filled with different types of ganaches, caramel, and taffy. I break it on the table, and draw with different types of sauces,” said the chef.

Chef promotion “We’ve been busy working on the spring and summer menu, and replanting the garden,” said Gabby Milton, executive chef at Big Rock Chophouse. Milton, who’s been with the restaurant since 2014, was promoted from within, replacing former Executive Chef Matthew Fitchett, who moved on to Pine Lake County Club. “It’s exiting. I’m the first female chef here since Chef Carol who opened the restaurant,” said Milton, who came to Big Rock from Midland’s H Hotel after working in the catering department at Walt Disney World and graduating from the Texas Culinary Academy, a Le Cordon Bleu school. While keeping the traditions of Big Rock alive, Milton doesn’t hesitate to bring her own personal flare to the

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. 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 Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.759.4825.

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, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. 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.

Arthur Avenue: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0768.

Au Cochon: French. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.7795.

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.

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.

plate. On the season’s updated menu, which launched toward the end of May, Milton said, “I’m putting on a Tuna Tartar. It’s really fresh and has a good balance of heat and salty and also some acid, with lemon and lime.

I’m excited about that dish, and I’m excited about Scallops and Shrimp, served with black rice. It’s got fried cauliflower, tossed in lime, soy, sweetsalty, citrusy briny sauce, and garnished with grapefruit and morel mushrooms. It will be great and light for summer, but give that (rich) morel and scallop flavor.” Milton also oversees operations at the Reserve, a private dining space owned by Big Rock’s founders, Norman and Bonnie LePage.

The Lady dishes Spearheading Lady of the House, a forthcoming Detroit restaurant, chef Kate Williams, formerly of Republic, is offering a taste of what’s to come.

“It’s just me, and my team. Five courses, and kind of a preview of some things we’ll do at the restaurant,” said Williams, who’s hosting dinner at Eastern Market on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. “We’ll open sometime this year. We knew it would be a long process with the space, with rezoning and environmental (requirements). We’re excited to be in Corktown. I work with all the local farmers – a ton in Corktown, and Recovery Park Farms, one out in Ann Arbor.” As for the menu, Lady will have more vegetable-focused dishes than some of Williams’ previous endeavors, but, she said, “I believe in using all of every animal. I’ll still be using the whole animal, just equaling it out.” Tickets for the dinner series are available on the Lady of the House website.

Brunch at Central Central Kitchen + Bar, 660 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, has unveiled a brunch menu, offered Sundays from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Founded by Dennis Archer, Jr., CEO of Ignition Media, publisher of Ambassador magazine, and son of Detroit’s former mayor, who shares the same name, the gastro pub opened in Cadillac Square late last summer. Executive Chef Christina Stanco, formerly of Café ML and Luxe Bar & Grill, cooks up a varied menu of sweet and savory dishes, including a chef’s preference Belgian waffle that managing partner Ken Karam described as “out of this world, like nothing I had before. It’s made with brioche, cut almost like a brick, then flash-fried, coated in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with orange milk jam, like an icing, and (set atop) a smear of Nutella on the plate. Garnished with hazelnuts.” For something more carnivorous, Central offers Nueske’s Pork Belly Hash, Chorizo Tacos, and their signature burger. The bar remains open an extra hour, offering mimosas, bloody Mary’s, in addition to the full cocktail menu.

Market, bistro partnership Chef-owner David Gilbert, of the upscale French restaurant Marais, has partnered with Michigan-based Westborn Market to open a modest bistro in the market’s forthcoming Plymouth location. Keeping his presence strong at Marais, Gilbert will remain in his position as executive chef at the Grosse Pointe restaurant, 17051 Kercheval Avenue, and hire two chefs to run the unnamed Plymouth bistro. Westborn Market, owned and operated by the Anusbigian family for over 40 years, currently has locations in Berkley, Livonia, and Dearborn. The Plymouth location is expected to open in June, said a representative of the Berkley store.

Pop Up Intel: The Menagerie, 31 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac: Indian Cuisine with Preeti Sidhu, home chef and caterer, June 4. Graham Schave, owner, Your Gourmet, Personal Chef & Private Catering, June 11. Michigan In Season, with Kyle Williams, weekly brunch chef at The Menagerie, June 18. menageriekitchen.com

Front/Back is reported each month by Katie Deska. KatieDeska@DowntownPublications.com. We welcome news items or tips, on or off the record, about what's happening in the front or back of the house at metro area restaurants.

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.

Ironwood Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 6 or more. Liquor.

290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.385.0506.

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.

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

248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.3122.

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.

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.

52

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.

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, Monday-Saturday. 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.

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.

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.

DOWNTOWN

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.

Detroit Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.1355.

Antietam: French. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207.

313.782.4378.

Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2040 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

06.16

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.2622.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600.

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122.

Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837.

Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Maccabees at Midtown: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202.

313.831.9311.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616.

Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221.

313.863.1917.

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226.

313.309.2499.

Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.2100.

Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207.

313.831.5940.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900.

Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

downtownpublications.com

Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366.

Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.438.5055.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214.

313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216.

313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.964.4010.

Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.782.4313.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American.

Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

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STATE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLEANING UP TOXIC SITES 53

FACES Peter Vanderkaay edal-earning Olympian Peter Vanderkaay put in countless laps at the pool as a freestyle swimmer for Rochester Adams High School, and left a legacy in his waves.

“I hope I have inspired people to reach their highest potential in a sport, or whatever passion they have. I hope that they understand they can go far if they’re willing to work hard and enjoy what they’re doing.”

One of four boys, Vanderkaay, 32, is in good company as a swimmer. All of his brothers swam for the University of Michigan, as did he. “I was seven years old when I first started. At that point it was just about having fun. Once I got into high school, that’s where serious training started.”

As a member of the U.S. Olympic team, and a competitor in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 games held in Athens, Beijing, and London, respectively, he brought home two gold medals and a bronze.

“I never would have thought I’d have that opportunity. You work hard and put a little time in every day, and it’s amazing what can happen over a period of a few years,” he said, mentioning that “meeting people from all over the world” was a great experience. “I think that’s the biggest highlight, some of those relationships, and continuing those beyond the sport. Swimming is a small community. It’s kind of a bond that stays with you, even when you’re done.”

After much deliberation and thought, Vanderkaay stepped away from competitive swimming after the London games, and in 2012, moved from Florida back to his hometown of Rochester Hills. Today, he stays involved with the sport through Detroit Swims, an eight-week learn-to-swim program offered to kids in the city.

“They go from being generally terrified of water, to having water and swimming safety skills,” he said. “We’re getting people to be proficient enough that if they fall in the water, or want to go to the beach, they can. The good thing about swimming – it’s like riding a bike, once you learn, you never forget.”

Getting out of the water and into an office, Vanderkaay began working for a Detroit consulting group before getting a position as an agent with Signature Associates, leasing and selling commercial buildings in the M-59 corridor, including the historic Western Knitting Mills in downtown Rochester.

“We’re working to get that fully leased. It’s a cool building for sure, and it’s a popular landmark, for one, because the restaurant, (Rochester Mills Beer Co.), is there.”

While on the job, Vanderkaay doesn’t go out of his way to identify himself as the decorated Olympian he is, but, “Every once in a while, I get people who recognize me or the name, and it’s kind of fun to share with people,” he said.

Although from time to time, Vanderkaay misses the sport, he’s clear on one thing. “I don’t miss the challenge that was training. I miss being in really good shape, but I think it was the right time for me to move on. I was 28, and felt like I had given the sport everything I had in the pool. I was ready for a new challenge.”

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Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

BUSINESS MATTERS LeConte Apparel returns Suzanne and Michael Browne celebrated the 30th anniversary of LeConte Fine Men’s Apparel with a return to downtown Rochester, at 316 Main Street. “We have wonderful polo shirts, long sleeve sport shirts, shorts, socks, cologne; everything from underwear to custom suits,” said Suzanne Browne. “We moved our store (out of Rochester) after five years because of growth – we needed a larger location, so we ended up at University Square for 25 years (in Rochester Hills), and then the lease was up, and we felt it was time to come home. What’s really great is that our regular clientele were thrilled we were coming downtown,” filling the vacancy left by Pendleton Woolen Mills. The couple is pleased to have succeeded in the business of men’s wear for three decades, especially after witnessing the closure of 12 other men’s stores in the area, said Browne. “When we opened 30 years ago, we wanted to carry brands that no one else carried. So we really just try to be different. The biggest deal is our customer service. We have a lot of gentlemen who come in and have a couple fingers of scotch while shopping, and we have mimosas on Sunday mornings, with donuts.

We try to make it fun.”

Repurposing supplier Robert Bloomingdale, of Bloomingdale Construction, launched Rochester Salvage & Supply, which specializes in large-scale deconstruction, repurposing and recycling. “I’m also a builder, and we have demolished a fair amount of homes and never felt quite right about sending the material to a landfill. So we decided to start a deconstruction business, and then reclaim, repurpose, recycle,” said Bloomingdale. “The supply side is that we’re taking some vintage lumber, anything that might be of interest and offering it for sale. It costs twice as much to deconstruct homes than to demolish, and so we have to sell materials to make up the difference in cost.” Materials from the deconstructed homes will be available for purchase at 246 South Street in Rochester, by downtownpublications.com

appointment. “Our goal is not to lose money,” he said. In his new venture, Bloomingdale partnered with two Rochester businesses.

“A lot of material we get, especially metals, we take to Rochester Recycling, and we’re also offering a pick-up service to people in Rochester neighborhoods, things they can’t deliver. Dillman & Upton, being a lumber company, when they get calls for vintage materials, they will source that material through us.”

Antiques & home goods Stocked with a combination of new and reclaimed goods, East Street Home recently opened in downtown Rochester at 300 East Street. Owners Merry and Bob Stephenson curated a shop style that Bob described as “farm industrial, or rustic industrial,” where antiques, home goods, and other wares are artfully displayed.

“I just got a beautiful mail sorter from the late 1800s or early 1900s,” he said. “I was thinking I could put barn wood across it, and make a back-entry bench.

We have some other interesting things – a tobacco cart I got from a warehouse in South Carolina; a beautiful, old vintage laundry car; a school masters’ desk from 1850 from Canada.” Customers can also find Detroit-made goods, such as Leadhead Glass terrariums made from locallysourced, reclaimed materials, and a unique line of soy-wax candles, scented with essential oils, made

by Merry, who earned her design degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. For those who believe they own a piece that belongs at East Street Home, Bob said, “I usually tell people you can shoot me a picture of something, and I’ll let you know if we’re interested. If we’re not, no hard feelings either way.”

Fitness moves Rochester-area fitness retailer, Gearbox Rx, will close the downtown Rochester location in favor of moving to a larger space in Rochester Hills, at the end of June or beginning of July.

Gearbox has maintained a warehouse, located at 1827 Northfield Road in Rochester

Hills, since last year, and they are now taking on an adjacent building, which will house its retail and an equipment showroom. Allen Parent partnered with Maven Gear to establish Gearbox Rx, and the company opened at 416 S. Main Street in 2014, with a focus on fitness apparel, shoes, and nutritional items. As a result of the business’ growth in the realm of workout equipment, a larger space was necessary. Parent said Gearbox Rx caters to “functional fitness people,” who may be building a home gym or a commercial gym. “We brought in stuff that was online, to a brick and mortar, so people could feel, try and touch stuff, then decided to try making our GBRX equipment brand,” said Parent.

“The meat and potatoes is the programming of things that have been around a long time – kettle bells, bar bells – those have been around a long time, and CrossFit mixed in with powerlifting, gymnastics and cardio.”

Although the Rochester store did get walk in traffic, Parent said, “We have regular customers who drove an hour and a half to get here. We have people from Ohio, Grand Rapids, Port Huron, all over the place to get here. You can only buy the stuff online, you can’t buy it at Dick’s (Sporting Goods) or Dunham’s (Sports). It’s a different level of equipment, and you can walk out of here with it. Imagine shipping 300 pounds worth of bumper plates.”

Pet-friendly lodging “The Royal Park Hotel now welcomes dogs,” said Sue Keels, director of sales and marketing for the boutique hotel, located at 600 E. University Drive in Rochester.

“We offer dog walks, take them around downtown, around Paint Creek on the trail, and offer dog grooming.” There are a few designated rooms that are petfriendly, and the pet fee runs under $100, determined by the dog’s size and customer’s length of stay. The welcoming policy towards fourlegged friends was implemented since the hotel’s newest general manager, Michael Platt, took over for Jay Haratis last year, after Haratis moved out of the state.

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“Michael Platt’s a dog lover, and he said ‘Why aren’t we pet friendly?’ We said, ‘Great question, we would love to adopt that.’ It adds a new element, an opportunity for business travel to feel more at home, an opportunity to travel with your pet. What a great alternative to putting them in a kennel,” said Keels. After losing a dog he frequently traveled with, Platt adopted a rescue dog, who’s become the hotel pet. Royal Park Hotel is owned by Frank Rewold, and is part of World Hotels, a collection of over 300 hotels worldwide “that brand together to create a luxury, unique experience for business and social traveling,” according to Keels.

Greek energy company Greece-based energy monitoring company, Meazon, is utilizing the Oakland University Incubator (OU INC) in Rochester Hills to launch their first U.S. office for Meazon USA, founded by Stelios Koutroubinas and John Gionas.

“They have established a Michigan LLC and are an accelerator client with us,” said Amy Butler, executive director of OU INC. Meazon’s products are designed to enable people to use energy more efficiently by monitoring use through cloud technology via computers and smart devices. “We’ll help them look at business strategy, potential customers, help them get funding,” and provide additional services,” said Butler.

“We have two kinds of clients, clients that rent space, or accelerator clients who have access to the services within the building, but don’t have a dedicated space here right now because they’re just getting launched.” OU INC, located in the Shotwell Pavillion at 429 Golf View Lane, is a collaboration between the City of Rochester Hills, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and private sector partners, specifically within the energy, medical, and information technology industries.

Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Katie Deska.

Send items for consideration to KatieDeska@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

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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.

Catholic Charities Spring Gala

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1. Msgr. Chuck Kosanke and Michael & Carolyn Moore of Bloomfield, Lory McGlinnen of Grosse Pointe. 2. Jennifer & Christopher Cobb of Rochester Hills. 3. Gale & Gina Forbes of Bloomfield.

4. Ari (left) & Caroline Groeneveld and Trish & Dave Mervenne of Bloomfield. 5. Dennis (left) & Christine Fornal of Shelby Twp., Nadine & Bill Mott of Rochester Hills.

ALS Association Legacy of Hope

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3 1. Dr. Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Florine Mark of Farmington Hills. 2. Susie Vestevich (left) of Birmingham, Kevin Lasser of Rochester Hills, Harold & Martha Burrell of East Grand Rapids. 3. Kay (left) & Joe McGlynn of Bloomfield, Kevin McGlynn of Ferndale and Dr. Dan Newman of Ann Arbor.

4. Bonnie Clelland (left), Judy Morse and Dale & Pat Proulx of Rochester Hills.

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ALS Association Legacy of Hope The first ALS Legacy of Hope three years ago honored Al Taubman and Dr. Eva Feldman, who directs the Taubman Institute in Ann Arbor. At that event, Taubman, who has since departed this earth, told guests that “…ALS is my number one target.” Feldman still labors in the clinic and research lab and she warmly introduced Florine Mark, one of this year’s honorees. Mark’s late husband Bill Ross, who had ALS, was Feldman’s patient. “They had a love affair and I knew it…One day Eva will find an answer,” declared Mark. She got a standing ovation from the 250-plus guests ($150 and up). Dr. Partha Nandi emceed the dinner program. In it ALS chapter executive director Paula Morning also saluted Peggy Fenwick, Doris Allen and the patient/caregiver team of Debra Douglass and her son Tyler. “I have ALS. It does not have me, “ Debra resolutely declared. In addition to a splendid dinner, the evening also included a silent auction ($20,000) and a brief live auction conducted by board members Harold Burrell and Craig VanSplunter.

The $12,500 they raised brought the event total to $100,000 for ALS Michigan Chapter to provide hope through its research and patient support programs.

Bloomfield Hills Schools CeleBHation “In Bloomfield Hills schools I learned to love to learn,” declared Dr. Abdul ElSayed. The BHS alum and, since last summer, the executive director of the Detroit Health Department, was the keynote speaker at the BHS Foundation’s second annual fundraising gala. After 9/11 when he was being harassed because of his name, his football coach advised him “…to use your name as motivation, not as an excuse.” The speaker at his University of Michigan commencement, he went on to be a Rhodes Scholar and got his MD at Columbia. He also noted the great discrepancy in opportunities between Bloomfield Hills and Detroit, and got a standing ovation when he concluded, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The soiree attracted 173 ($125, $250 tickets) to Forest Lake Country Club. They bid $10,750 in the silent auction and $12,125 in the live auction conducted by Gary Mach. They also enjoyed selections from “West Side Story” performed by BHHS theatre students. The enjoyable evening raised more than $65,000 for the foundation’s enrichment programs.

Bloomfield Hills Schools CeleBHation

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Catholic Charities Spring Gala Most of the 350 tickets holders ($150) attended the Mercy in Action theme fundraiser for the Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan at the Royal Park Sally Gerak Hotel. During the cocktail hour, guests socialized and perused the silent auctions and wine pull ($13,425). Msgr. Chuck Kosanke cochaired the event with Linda Luchi and chairs the board of CCSEM. (It was formed in 2013 by merging six county archdiocesan social service agencies.) After Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron said the grace before dinner, he told guests that he was reassigning Msgr. Kosanke from his duties as pastor at St. Regis in Bloomfield Township to two historic Detroit parishes – St. Anne’s and Most Holy Trinity.

Following a superb dinner, dedicated soup kitchen volunteer Frank Cruz received the Mercy in Action Award and Msgr. Robert Monticello received the Distinguished Service Award. Christopher Aslanian then generated $11,300 in the brief live auction and pledges totaling $23,950 for the All Saints Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen in Southwest Detroit. This brought the event net to around $75,000 for helping the 20,000 people of all ages served by the agency.

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1. Charlie Hollerith (left) and John Roberts of Bloomfield, Mary Ellen Miller of Troy. 2. Dr. Rob & Dr. Cynthia Glass of Bloomfield. 3. Jackie El-Sayed (left) of Bloomfield, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of Detroit, Ken Macon of W. Bloomfield. 4. Cathie Badalamenti (left) of Birmingham, Jan Frank of Bloomfield. 5. Rob (left) & Diane Durecka of Bloomfield, Michelle & Scott Sugg and Chris & Megan Johnston of W. Bloomfield.

6. Ingrid Day (left) and Cynthia & Paul von Oeyen of Bloomfield.

7. Toni Kloss (left) of Troy, Judy & Doug McDonald of Bloomfield, James Badalamenti of Birmingham, Julie & Rocky Gust of Bloomfield. 8. Shelley Taub (left) and Paul & Sue Nine of Bloomfield.

Kenya Relief Benefit Physicians Luisa Di Lorenzo and Joe Skoney hosted a cocktail event that drew more than 60 good-hearted folks to the Village Club to hear Steve James, a nowretired nurse anesthetist, tell the heart wrenching story about his founding of Kenya Relief. The hosts, like some others on the event committee, have served on mission teams that do surgeries at the KR medical center near Migori, Kenya.

According to James, DiLorenzo and Skoney have also adopted seven of the children who live at the KR orphanage, which is in dire need of a dining hall. And that was the focus of “the pitch.” A video drove home that need and the power of compassion prompted donations totaling $25,000, “…and still coming in,” according to

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committee member/KidsEmpowered founder Kimber Bishop-Yanke. Others on the committee included Drs. Tim and Jill Page, Dr. William Goldstein, Tara Barr, Kate Cahill Durak, Shelley Foley Trainor, Laura Lilley, Liz Studley and George Piliourias.

Karmanos Institute Annual Dinner During its 34 year history, the Karmanos Cancer Institute Annual Dinner has been held in unique venues ranging from private estates to auto factories. But it will be hard to top the 2016 version that attracted more than 600 ($750, $525 tickets) to a huge sound stage at the Michigan Motion Pictures Studios in Pontiac. It was co-chaired by Paula and GM’s Steve Kiefer. Steve credited his wife for the food and decor.

The latter paired GM vehicles with scenery from Transformers and other movies for dramatic effect. He also saluted past chairs in the crowd – Mark and Kim Reuss and Dan and Pernilla Amman – and named GM CEO Mary and Tony Barra as chairs of the 2017 annual dinner. New board chair Dick Gabrys noted that his predecessors “…have set a high bar,” but vowed to continue the quest “…for a future free of cancer.” KCI President/CEO Gerold Bepler presented past board chair Chuck Becker with a gift of gratitude for “…leading us through revolutionary change.” It will also be hard to top the beneficence of GM and other major sponsors as well as the generous bidding during the live auction conducted by Texan Spanky Assiter, a cancer survivor. He got $150,000 for a Shinola City Clock and another $150,000 for a private, Forte Belanger dinner party for 10 with Steve Keifer at the GM Heritage Center. This brought the auction total to $644,500, including $170,000 for a Grand Sport Corvette. The total raised for Karmanos cancer research by the 34th annual dinner was an astounding $2.4 million-plus.

Humane Society Bow Wow Brunch Terri Lutz and Debbie Markham co-chaired the 27th annual Michigan Humane Society fundraiser which attracted more than 625 to the MGM Grand. Before brunch, guests socialized, checked out the four-legged adoptables who came with MHS volunteers and bid more than $43,000 in the silent auction. WDIV’s Andrew Humphrey emceed the program that included executive director Matthew Pepper’s declaration that “…we find homes for every treatable animal” and board chair Paul Huxley’s boast that the capital campaign to fund the new 35,000 square foot Detroit Animal Care Dresner Campus exceeded its goal. “We are good stewards of your donations,” he concluded as all raised their champagne glasses in a toast to the new facility. A spirited live auction followed and raised $74,200. Pledging added another $22,000-plus. Also, 10 animal lovers agreed to be in the doghouse until others donated money for their “release”.

Linda Axe was the top solicitor at $27,000 with attorney John Schaefer and Tender owners Cheryl and Karen Daskas close behind. Other good guy doghouse occupants include Richard F. Roth, Kelli Burris, Lori Lammon, Mike Morse, Sarah Prues Hecke, Mojo in the Morning and Wendy Batiste-Johnson. So far, the event and the Doghouse contributions have raised a record-setting $450,000-plus.

Gleaner’s Women’s Power Breakfast More than 640 influential women ($120, $85 tickets) convened early the morning of April 21 in Eastern Market’s Shed 3 for the 23rd annual Women’s Power Breakfast chaired

by Faye Nelson, Andra Rush and Nancy Schlichting. Their misson – to help fund one million meals for hungry children across southeast Michigan during the month of April – was significantly advanced when Mary Beth Morabito offered guests the chance to match her donation of $15,000. Rush then extended a match donation of $20,000 and Schlichting downtownpublications.com

Kenya Relief Benefit

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1. Dr. Joe Skoney & Dr. Luisa DiLorenzo, Steve James of Culllman, AL. 2. George Piliourias of Rochester, Drs. Jill & Tim Page of Birmingham and Liz Studley of Canton.

3. Richard Astrein (left) of Huntington Woods, Kate Durak of Bloomfield. 4. Jane Osgood (left), Kim Fortin and Ellen Chase of Bloomfield. 5. Msgr. Tony Tocco (left) and Eddie & Lisa Mancini of Bloomfield.

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Karmanos Institute Annual Dinner

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1. Event chairs GM’s Steve & Paula Kiefer of Northville. 2. Tony (left) & Mary Barra of Northville, Dick & Eleanor Gabrys of Bloomfield. 3. Patti & Jim Prowse of Bloomfield. 4. Kappy (left) & congressman Dave Trott of Birmingham, Dr. Irwin & Roberta Madorsky of Bloomfield. 5 KCI CEO Gerold Bepler (left) of Bloomfield, Michelle & Chuck Becker of Grosse Pointe.

6. Jessie Beld-Elliott (left) and Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield, Jennifer Lord of W. Bloomfield. 7. George & Jill Volik of Rochester. 8. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro (Bumblebee) T4 version from Transformers movies with George & Jill Volik of Rochester. 9. Karmanos doctors Ulka Valshampayan (left) of Troy, Fayth Yoshinora & Tony Shields of Bloomfield, Natasha Robinette of Grosse Isle. 10. Jennifer (standing) & Joe Damman of Lake Orion, Stephanie & Jim Zainea of Rochester Hills.

Humane Society Bow Wow Brunch

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1. Richard (left) & Susie Roth of Bloomfield, Terri & Bob Lutz of Ann Arbor. 2. Ray & Rita Dallavecchia of Bloomfield.

3. Laurie Sall (left), Cheryl and Karen Daskas of Birmingham, Melissa Gesnie of Detroit. 4. Bill Seklar of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK added another $1,000. When the dust settled, Morabito’s gift inspired $75,500 to support the Backpack Program at FIVE area schools. Thus far the Gleaners Women’s Power events and Million Meal Match campaign have raised more than $300,000.

An Evening of Art + Science

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An Evening of Art + Science In a large poster depicting Al Taubman the late philanthropist seemed to be smiling his approval on the third annual Evening of Art + Science. It brought 250 people ($350 ticket) to MOCAD to raise money for the Emerging Scholars Program at the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman medical Research Institute. Institute Director Dr. Eva Feldman and Taubman’s daughter Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman welcomed arrivals and waiters offered vapor-emitting cocktails served in actual laboratory beakers. On display were one-of-a-kind paintings, sculpture and jewelry inspired by the cutting-edge science of physician-researchers at the university. The work captured the genius of both art and science. Serious socializing and supping on the stroll (Forte Belanger cuisine) offered some competition for bidding on the art. But at evening’s end, all 19 works sold and raised “tens of thousands of dollars” for new research grants.

The fourth annual event has been set for April 20, 2017 at MOCAD.

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1. Dr. Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Bobby Taubman of Bloomfield. 2. Event co-chairs Kathy Goldberg (left) of Bloomfield and Edith Briskin of Birmingham. 3. David & Alison Demuth of Bloomfield, Alison and Richard Taubman of Beverly Hills. 4. Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman (left) of Palm Beach, FL, Sheri Mark & Abe Slaim of Bloomfield.

5. Peter & Danialle Karmanos of Orchard Lake. 6. Amy Willens (left) of Rochester Hills, Art Roffey & Gail Danto of Bloomfield. 7. Jeffrey (left) & Marsha Miro of Bloomfield, Elyse & David Foltyn of Birmingham. 8. Paige Frisch (left) of Bloomfield, Lauren Rakolta & Michael Fitzgerald of Birmingham. 9. Kathy & Tom Goldberg of Bloomfield. 10. Marc Schwartz (left) of Birmingham, Stephany & Jim Austin of Bloomfield.

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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea

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3 1. Deborah Virgiles (left) of Southfield and Teresa Saputo of Rochester. 2. Patty Kostecki (left) and Sydney McKnee of Rochester, Jen Litomisky of Pleasant Ridge. 3. Alyson Henes (left) of Royal Oak, Kay Bagnasco of Bloomfield, Krystin Saputo of Rochester. 4. Jordan Kostecki (eft) and Autumn Gabbard of Rochester. 5. Madison Walker and Latrece Allen of W. Bloomfield, Tifanny Keyes of Rochester. 6. Mary Thomas (left) of Grosse Pointe, Jessica Saputo of Rochester.

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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea The seventh annual Spring Tea chaired by McDonald owners Teresa Saputo and Deborah Virgiles to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit attracted more than 150 of all ages ($60, $25 tickets) to the Royal Park Hotel Saturday, April 23.

Before settling in for tea, guests checked out a silent auction, a raffle, balloon clown and sketch artist. A new video starring kids drove home the House mission of enabling families to be close to their sick children.

Saputo also noted that the foundation is just $500,000 short of its goal for the new Detroit house. Prizes to the oldest and youngest grandmothers in attendance went to Kay Bagnasco, 94, and Latrece Allen, 42. The enjoyable affair raised nearly $18,000, a record amount for the event. Mary Okray is chairing the next Ronald McDonald House fundraiser, the Motown Garden Party, 6 – 8 pm, Thursday June 16 at the house. For tickets ($60) call 313-745-5909.

Editorial note: Deborah Virgiles, a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, died suddenly at her Southfield home four days after the Spring Tea reported above. Her philanthropy and hands-on service at the house will be dearly missed.

Junior League Signature Event The Junior League of Birmingham put a casino spin on its fourth annual Signature Event chaired by Jamilah Wright. It drew 100 members and friends to Bloomfield Open Hunt for black jack, roulette and craps. When people weren’t gaming they could do a wine pull, bid in a silent auction and get “shot” in a photo booth. At evening’s end, guests exchanged casino chips for prize tickets. Prizes were drawn at random and included wine, spa and dining gift cards. The evening’s proceeds will support the League’s volunteer training programs that currently focus on pressing issues like childhood health, foster care reform and human trafficking.

Academy of the Sacred Heart Gala A Magical Masquerade, the second half of a two-part, 06.16

auction-focused fundraiser, attracted more than 200 school loyalists ($175 ticket) to Detroit’s Masonic Temple.

Many donned masks as per the party theme. All relished a splendid dinner and spirited live auction conducted by Texan Scott Swenson. An auction high point was the Boston Red Sox VIP experience donated by Academy parents Dave and Karie Ross Dombrowski. It sold twice for $5,500 each. The evening’s 52-card raffle, featuring numerous local restaurants, sold out and was won by current parent Kathleen Jardin. Counting the Fund-the-Mission pledging, the 2016 benefit netted an estimated $300,000 for the school which began in Detroit 165 years ago.

Manresa’s Leadership Banquet When Hugh Buchanan accepted the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House Lifetime Achievement Award, he quipped, “Which is ending – the lifetime or the achievement?”

Buchanan, the former associate director, received a standing ovation from the 200 guests ($150, $300 tickets) gathered at Oakland Hills Country Club, when he concluded his reflections by noting that “…God’s grace is everywhere but not everywhere the same…(Manresa is) where we are healed and empowered.” Development director Rita Tinetti then introduced keynote speaker Fr. Greg Boyle, whose days since 1988 spent among the gangs of Los Angeles could not be more different than life in idyllic Bloomfield Hills, where Manresa opened 90 years ago. O’Boyle’s humor-laced and heartbreaking description of the struggling youth who now work with their former enemies at his Homeboy Industries was compelling. ”There’s truth in their mangled language,” he noted, citing God as “exhausted’ rather than “exalted”. His stories of hope and compassion earned a rousing, standing ovation.

Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting When you see suave nonagenarian Ted Lindsay greeting supporters of his autism-fighting foundation at Troy’s tony Tre Monti Ristorante, it’s hard to believe that he is Terrible Ted Lindsay, the hooligan hockey legend.

Most of his 200 guests ($125 ticket) started the evening with the glass of sparking J.P. Chenet French rose wine offered upon arrival. Like all the wines, it was donated by Eagle Eye Brands. The list included Wilson & Wilson cabernet sauvignon, whose vintner grew up in Bloomfield Hills. A silent auction display and pouring stations manned by celebrities were downtownpublications.com

Junior League Signature Event

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1. Jamilah Wright (center) of Southfield, Elise Echols (left) of Birmingham and Amanda Thomas of Beverly Hills. 2. Courtney Nichol (left) of Birmingham, Anne Nechal of Sylvan Lake, Devon Cook of Bloomfield, Elizabeth Smith of Farmington Hills. 3. Jessica & Jonathan Carlson of Birmingham. 4. Natalie Deledda (left) of Bloomfield, Shiela Jones of St. Clair Shores, Caitlin Rayburn of Royal Oak. 5. Bob McNeil of Birmingham, Laura Tomlinson of Beverly Hills. 6. Rebecca Merriman (left) of Beverly Hills, Kate Montgomery of Birmingham.

Academy of the Sacred Heart Gala

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1. Ed & Kendall Doman and Michelle Jonna of Bloomfield. 2. Tommy (left) & Susie Betrus and Virginia Antakli of Bloomfield. 3. Kathy & Dan Carroll of Bloomfield, Susan Chae of Waterford. 4. Molly Lynch and Head of School Sister Bridget Bearss of Bloomfield. 5. Kaitlyn Krizanic of Birmingham with friend. 6. Mary & Gary Straffon of Bloomfield. 7. Karen & Jeff Carroll of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK magnets throughout the large dining room. Pourers included Frank Beckmann, Paul W. Smith, Joe Kocur, Mickey Redmond, Eddie Mio, Trevor Thompson and Dayna Clark.

The mild temperatures made the terrace an appealing destination for savoring the splendid buffet fare like braised tenderloin tips. In addition to autism research, the foundation has also pledged $1 million to Beaumont Hospital’s Ted Lindsay HOPE (Hands on Parent Education) Center, for which fundraising continues at the foundation’s signature event – the Celebrity Golf Outing Sept. 12 at Wabeek Country Club.

Manresa’s Leadership Banquet

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5 1. Dr. Bill & Patty Ward of Bloomfield.

2. Karen (left) & Mike Brown of Troy and Tony & Suzanne Rea of Bloomfield. 3. Derrick & Diane Grembi of Rochester. 4. Patti (left) & Bob Koval of Troy, honoree Hugh & Mary Ellen Buchanan of Rochester Hills.

5. Gail (left) & Frank Migluazzo of Bloomfield and Frank & Janet Morelli of Rochester. 6. Chris (left) & Anna Rea of Birmingham, Michael Rea of Bloomfield. 7. Jennifer Chapman (left) of Warren, Bill & Marie Molnar of Bloomfield.

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Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting

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1. Ted Lindsay (left) of Rochester, Steve & Terri Eick of Birmingham. 2. Lew LaPaugh (left) of Rochester Hills, Michael Dore of Bloomfield. 3. Lynn Lindsay LaPaugh (left) and Jean-Jacques Fertal of Rochester Hills, Cheryl Lash of Harrison Twp. 4. Dr. Jack & Genevieve Finley of Bloomfield. 5. Joanne Lindsay (left) with Karen Beckmann and Lucy Renzi of Rochester. 6. Frank Beckmann of Rochester. 7. Lenore Gimpert of Birmingham, Dr. Michael Sherbin of Bloomfield.

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Project 1’s Whose Your Bartender Laura Beckeman, Kirsten Mumma, Stacey Kives and Terri Macksoud chaired the seventh annual Whose Your Bartender happening that attracted more than 500 people ($20-ticket) to The Bird and The Bread on April 26. The scene was, shall we say, very spirited as supporters of the bartenders’ pet nonprofits were vigorously promoting their causes while the 26 bartenders worked their assigned shifts and collected tips. At party’s end, the top tipsters were: 1st place - Kelley and Ryan LaFontaine for UCANsurvive; 2nd place - Chef Bobby Nahra for Father Solanus Legacy Fund; 3rd place - Kelley Kennedy and Jen Michaud for AIM at Melanoma; 4th place - Mark Breimeister and Kristina Millman-Rinaldi for Detroit Dog Rescue. Other bartenders and their non-profits were: Kelly Lodish and Gabe Zawaideh (Angels Place); Chris Barnett and Bryan Barnett (Blessings for Backpacks); Treger & Rob Strasberg (Humble Design); Lauren Eaton and Tracy Mohaidheen (Sky Foundation); Shelley Bleau and Katie O’Connor (Road Warriors); Leslie Read and Barb Michelini (Camp Casey); Jack Brusewitz (Grace Centers of Hope); Hong Dinh (Cooke Elementary); Monica Bisignano Zamler (Castro/Lowenstein Lab at U of M); Jen Fishman and Joy Weber (JDRF); Linda Luchi and Tom Maniaci (S.O.U.L.). The evening raised more than $44,000; $15,000 of that will go to the bartenders’ charities.

WONder Women Awards The Women Officials Network Foundation provides mentoring and training for all women interested in serving in the public policy realm. Its annual WONder Woman Awards Banquet attracted 200 ($75, $100, 06.16

$125 tickets) to the San Marino Club to honor five women who have improved the quality of life in Michigan through their civic, philanthropic and professional accomplishments.

Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli and Oakland Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts both had large fan clubs in attendance. Their introductions – Roncelli by her son Brian Gormey and Potts by her sister-in-law Barbara Yolles Ludwig – were peppered with humor, affection and personal revelations. Leon & Lulu owner Liz Curtin, whose shop hosts fund-raisers for countless nonprofits, was introduced by her daughter Keara Scannell who called her “…my inspiration.” WDIV’s Paula Tutman was introduced by her News Director Kim Voet who praised Tutman’s “…passion for the underprivileged.”

The most-in-the-spotlight awardee was Dr. Mona Hanna-Attish, whose relentless pursuit of the facts exposed the Flint water lead crisis. She vowed to “…keep doing my job,” which now includes mitigating the lead impact on “…every single Flint kid.” All honorees got standing ovations. They were joined for the traditional rose ceremony by past WONder Women in attendance.

Preservation Bloomfield Celebration Judy Kelliher, Carol Shaya and Sue Nine chaired the inaugural Preservationists of the Year event that drew 60 ($100 ticket) Preservation Bloomfield loyalists to dinner at the Iroquois Club. All knew they were there to salute John and, in memoriam, Nancy Marshall as well as CPA Al Magnus, for eight years of pro bono accounting services, and Jerry McManus, a history-loving electrician who has done countless hours of pro bono electrical work at The Barton House. In addition to Friends of PB president Cynthia von Oeyen’s presentations of Outstanding Service Awards to Magnus and McManus, highlights of the event included retired Lutheran minister / the Marshalls’ long-time pastor Rev. John Siefkin’s blessing and PB President Michael Dul’s presentation to the Marshalls, whose hands-on caretaking of the Craig Log Cabin and the historic Barton House since it was moved to the Bowers School Farm campus in 2008, has been incalculable. Proceeds from the inaugural event are earmarked for an endowment fund.

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

Project 1’s Whose Your Bartender

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1. Laura Beckemann (left) of Birmingham, Yvan Russell of Rochester Hills, Kirsten Mumma of Lake Orion. 2. Terri Macksoud (left) of Birmingham, Erica Matina of Washington. 3. Lauren Eaton (left) and Tracey Mohaidheed of Bloomfield. 4. PJ Ruokis (left) of Grosse Isle, Nikki Taylor of Bloomfield, Jerry Hall and Missy Rancilio of Birmingham. 5. Katie Noonan Mangin (left) of Birmingham, Pam Reason of Troy, Monica Bisignano Zamler of Beverly Hills. 6. Kelly Lodish and Gabe Zawaideh of Bloomfield. 7. Jessica Haddad (left) of Livonia, Cailey Sanchez of Rochester.

WONder Women Awards

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1. Mary Kerwin (left) of Troy, Jan Roncelli and Joan Young of Bloomfield. 2. Layne Sakwa (left) of Bloomfield, Wendy Potts of Birmingham, Danielle Walton of Rochester Hills. 3. Cynthia von Oeyen (left) of Bloomfield, Nina Attisha and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Deb Macon of W. Bloomfield.

4. Sue Nine (left) of Bloomfield, Mary Liz Curtin of Royal Oak.

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ENDNOTE

Managing the future of successful cities irmingham and Rochester, the two downtown cities we actively cover and write about each month, at first glance appear to be very different. Rochester, a comfortable and homey bastion of small town life, is thriving, as is Birmingham, which presents a more urbane city environment, mixing national and regional retailers and restaurants with upscale local merchants and bistros. Yet each is succeeding, whether in difficult economic climates or more prosperous times, because those leading these cities have engaged in municipal planning for the future – in essence, managing the local communities.

The sustained growth and vibrance of Rochester and Birmingham shows the importance of electing and appointing visionaries to boards, councils and commissions, and to the necessity of spending on principal shopping districts, downtown development authorities, and for prescient leaders who can aid them in the development and refinement of their cities.

It is also a testament to the uniqueness of communities, and to straying from the “cookie-cutter” approach of much municipal planning.

Over twenty years ago, city leaders in Birmingham realized that rather than stagnating and becoming another “infill” city, they would take the lead and develop a master plan to help envision the growth and direction of where and how they wanted the city grow. After numerous civic meetings, they hired noted architect and urban planner Andres Duany from Miami, one of the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism.

New Urbanism advocates for the restructuring of public policy and development practices to support neighborhoods that are diverse in use and population; communities that are designed for pedestrians, as well as transit and cars; physically defined and accessible public spaces and community institutions; and urban places framed by architecture and landscape that celebrate local history, climate, ecology and building practice.

Duany, along with other firms, created a 20year plan called the 2016 Master Plan, which prescribed creating a more walkable downtown, a city center with a redesigned Shain Park, set the stage for the city's bistro liquor license ordinance in 2007, activating alleys and passageways, and other ingredients which were a recipe for vitality.

Walkability would become the keyword for the recreation of Birmingham.

The 2016 plan, which has been largely

B

implemented, has been successful. Today, Birmingham is home to more than 600 businesses, drawing more than 5 million visitors each year, not including those that work in the downtown area. There is more than 3.5 million square feet of retail and office space, with a retail occupancy rate of about 98 percent. The Birmingham Shopping District and its leasing consultant have worked to create unique mixes of retail and to keep vacancies low.

Rochester is currently at work on a visioning process, and its Principal Shopping District (PSD) was created in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives, with year around events, underwritten by funds from assessments, contributions from the city's Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which is focused on addressing capital improvements, and from sponsorships and fees.

Each city has had the foresight to adapt to changing trends, and to realize that downtowns, no differently than neighborhoods or malls, are living, breathing entities that must refashion themselves periodically to survive. Not only urban planners, but civic leaders, have Royal Oak to use as a startling lesson of what not to do – once a quirky, interesting downtown with unique boutiques, antique shops, idiosyncratic hang outs and restaurants, is now a train stop away from complete irrelevance. While there are a few destination restaurants, Royal Oak is paying the price for permitting a surfeit of nightlife establishments and bars, which begat the treadmill of more nightlife, and the quickening exodus of retail. Those that didn't head north to Birmingham or Rochester have fled south to burgeoning midtown and downtown Detroit – along with affluent twenty-somethings and their dollars.

Birmingham commissioners and board members are beginning to recognize that their city could become another Royal Oak, and have begun to wisely say enough to bistro applications in the central business district that could jeopardize the fragile balance the downtown has with retailers.

They also created certain ordinances to restrict nightclubs and bars, after dangerous situations arose with the former South and Hamilton Room nightclubs. Rochester will be wise to keep a similar balance in its downtown between retail and food and beverage establishments.

But with success come other challenges.

In Rochester, we commend city leaders for the recent proactive moves to build two new parking structures, which were

approved in 2014. Recognizing that surface parking had outgrown its capacity for accommodating businesses and shoppers, city leaders bit the bullet, providing another 555 spots, at a cost of $12 million.

In contrast, Birmingham has allowed the community to reach a crisis stage regarding parking, with 90 percent of its office space not only full, but filled with a creative class of employees in advertising, PR, social media, along with law firms. The change in the nature of the businesses occupying the office space, and the trend nation-wide of communal work areas where less space is devoted to each employee, has meant an increase of workers in the same square footage, heavily taxing the city's five municipal parking structures.

As Robin Boyle, an urban planner with Wayne State University, and a member of Birmingham's planning board tells it: "One challenge is that office and commercial businesses want to secure monthly passes for employees and they aren't able to get them. And retailers are concerned with so much on-street parking that customers can't find parking adjacent to the shops. There's still some reluctance from shoppers going to the decks, and they hunt for parking and it increases congestion on the streets."

The city of Birmingham has been talking about long-term parking expansion for over two years, with a plan to build two extra floors on the Pierce Street structure seemingly ready to go last summer. Now, with infrastructure being rebuilt street by street, and parking non-existent, that plan has been abandoned with no word to the public as to why, as the parking committees and city commission laboriously examine a long-term plan to rebuild the N. Old Woodward structure, along with retail and housing. Possibly a great plan for down the road – but where do the hundreds of cars which park at the N. Old Woodward structure each day park while that is rebuilt?

And that still does not negate the issue of what to do with both employee and visitor cars each and every day.

We are concerned that Birmingham is dragging its feet with meeting after meeting while this parking problem could seriously jeopardize everything the city has wisely and diligently created over the last 20 years.

So, yes, both communities have done a good job on the municipal planning front, but assuring a city's future requires community leaders to see the potential problems further down the road and react in a timely manner to avoid the crisis – the very basic definition of management.

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