The Paper - June 2010 by Kingsett

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■ inside / june ■ 7: MAIL BAG Water Resources Commissioner John P. McCulloch

■ 9: CRIME MAP A locator guide to specific categories of crime in the local area

■ SNAPSHOTS ■ 19: Guy Gordon ■ 28: Dr. Randy Shaw ■ 41: Douglas Bloom

■ 23: ELECTION 2010 candidates file for ballot; contested judicial races

■ 36: COUNTY Phone charge for 911 hiked; foreclosure prevention program

■ 37: STATE School employee retirement reform; school election dates; boon for trust fund

■ 40: EDUCATION Pine Lake school settlement; superintendent pact

■ 42: TRANSPORTATION Telegraph Road work causing traffic backups

■ 43: BUSINESS NOTES American Red Cross; Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel; Best Buy; Birmingham Barbers; Siddharth International Foods; Kumon Learning Center; DSM Engineering Plastics; O'Keefe and Associates

■ 44: EATING OUT A directory of places where you can dine out; Main Course and Quick Bites from the restaurant scene with Eleanor Heald; Focus on Wine with Eleanor and Ray Heald

■ 25

■ 59: MUNICIPAL Bloomfield Hills election results; new Birmingham budget; Bloomfield Hills budget; economic development liquor licenses; garage sale trial period; Tallulah changes; land for transit center

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK

The 2010 election cycle has the potential to once again alter the electoral landscape of Oakland County. Multiple factors could influence this year's elections and reverse the inroads Democrats made in 2008 on the coattails of Barack Obama's historic ride to the White House.

■ 65: THE COMMUNITY HOUSE The President and CEO of The Community House, Shelley Roberts, on the annual Green Breeze event.

■ 66: SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The latest from the charity and non-profit circuit

■ 74: FINAL WORD Economic development liquor licenses; school election dates

■ OUR COVER

■ 10: FROSTY TREATS FOR SUMMER

■ 30: A LAMENTABLE ■ 45: GOURMET YET TALENT EXODUS DOWN HOME

There's plenty of places around town to indulge in the opiate of summer that makes us all scream - cold, smooth and sweet ice cream.

More and more young adults are fleeing Michigan, taking their education and skills away from an area that needs some revitalization.

The Peabody family saw great potential in a barn-like former gristmill and turned it into a nowfamiliar Birmingham eatery and legacy. THE PAPER

Riders at the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, an area landmark since the early part of the 20th century. Cover art by Chris Grammer, from photos by Amy K. Lockard.

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â&#x2013; mail bag Protecting waterways From Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John P. McCulloch: Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard deserves high praise for expanding "Operation Medicine Cabinet." It's an outstanding program designed to keep prescription drugs out of our drinking water system. It provides an avenue for residents to properly dispose of their expired or unused medicines at various law enforcement locations throughout Oakland County. As the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, I know how important it is to maintain the integrity of our drinking water and to make certain it is clean, safe and pure. I oversee several water treatment plants to ensure just that. Taking a few relatively small steps can make a big difference in protecting the environment. Unused prescription or over-the-counter medicines must be disposed of properly to avoid harming wildlife, pets and people. Previously, I've explained the necessary steps to properly dispose of unused medicines. Instead of pouring them down the sink or flushing them down the toilet, I recommended first dissolving pills and capsules and sealing them in a plastic bag along with kitty litter, saw-

dust or coffee grounds before putting them in the trash. Those measures make the medicines less attractive to pets and children. While that's still a good practice, Operation Medicine Cabinet makes the disposal process even easier. Simply take unused medicines to one of several Oakland locations where they will be disposed of in an environmentally-sensitive manner. Sheriff Bouchard has added two additional substations to the growing list of locations where prescription and over-the-counter drugs may

be dropped off. They are in Highland and Lyon townships. Other Oakland County law enforcement agencies participating in the program include Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Holly, Keego Harbor, Madison Heights, Southfield, Troy and West Bloomfield. I urge residents to check with their local police or public safety department and ask them to participate in Operation Medicine Cabinet if they are not yet on board. For additional information, please visit the website at www.operationmedicinecabinetmi.com. â&#x2013;

Talk to Birmingham-Bloomfield Your opinions are important so let us know what you think. Mail Bag provides our readers with a forum to express their thoughts on important issues. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Letters for Mail Bag should be submitted by mid-month to appear in the next issue and must include the writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, address and phone number for verification. Only the writer's name and community will be printed. Letters can be sent via e-mail to news@thescngroup.com, submitted through the website for The Paper (oaklandpaper.com) or by mail to P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387. â&#x2013;

PAPER PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: James W. Fancy BUSINESS MANAGER: Dennis Boggs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Carol Barr

EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tim Dmoch Lisa Brody Staff Writers: Brooke Meier, Leslie Owsley, Kirk Pinho, Michael Shelton Research/Listings Assistant: Cynthia Stawick Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard ADVERTISING MANAGER: Jules Haapala Account Representatives Jill Cesarz, Dan Neumaier, Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Assistants: Nicole Batchik, Jessica Holstein TELEPHONE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Account Representatives Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS/SYSTEMS MANAGER: Chris Grammer Graphics Assistants: Denise Jungjohan, Karen Polatka, Marcia Reimer CIRCULATION: Dan Griffin ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SUPERVISOR: Carolyn Petherbridge Staff: Mable McCullough

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387-0014 OFFICE ADDRESS: 7196 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48327-4113 TELEPHONE: 248.360.6397 â&#x20AC;˘ 248.360.7355 OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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JUNE 2010

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● Sexual Assault ● Assault ■ Robbery ■ Home Invasion ■ Breaking/Entering ■ Larceny ■ Burglary ▲ Vehicle Theft ▲ Vandalism ● Murder ★ Arson ✖ Drug Offenses ✪ Larceny From Vehicle

The latest crime locations by select categories from mid April through mid May, from information provided by the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township police departments.

By Leslie Shepard-Owsley

h, the blissful days of summer, strolling through town on a humid and hazy afternoon and stopping off for an ice cream treat when the packages become cumbersome and the

age of butterfat and egg yolk gives frozen custard a thick, creamy texture and a smoother, softer consistency than ice cream. Sorbet is a frozen dessert devoid of milk and made from fruit purée. It often includes flavorings. It’s then whipped to lighten its texture. Every community has its own legendary ice cream shops. In the Birmingham and Bloomfield communities, there are many vendors to choose from ranging in price, variety, and specialty. So beat the heat and indulge.

kids are spent. Ice cream is an opiate of summer, a nostalgic confection that is reminiscent of simpler days. When it comes to ice cream, everyone’s a kid — peering into the spectrum of flavors enclosed in glass, vacillating between raspberry sorbet and chocolate almond, and opting for both; then watching wide eyed with anticipation as scoops are rolled into perfect orbs perched on a crispy sugar cone. Whether one is milling around the Dairy Mat during the Dream Cruise or waiting in 12-deep lines at Kilwins, nothing sates the appetite more than the comfort food of ice cream. The Birmingham and Bloomfield communities are brimming with opportunity for the ice cream connoisseur. Whether it’s an artisanal parlor, old-fashioned soda fountain shop, or a soft serve stand, ice cream is the quintessential summer escape, a welcomed respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Like the name suggests, ice cream is a frozen product made from cream. Milk is often added to the mixture in tandem with other flavorings and sweeteners. Up to 60 percent of the volume of the container is air. This is introduced in the whipping process and gives ice cream a light and fluffy texture. Ice creams are further divided into categories based on the amount of butterfat each contains. Premium ice cream has between 11 and 15 percent butterfat, whereas regular ice cream is less dense and contains 10 to 11 percent butterfat. Premium ice cream is richer and not for the calorie conscious. Usually these premium ice creams come in small containers and have “gourmet” style flavorings. Soft serve ice cream is a style of regular ice cream except that it is served at a higher temperature. Similar to ice cream, frozen custard is a cold dessert made with eggs in addition to cream and sugar. It typically contains 10 percent milkfat and 1.4 percent egg yolk. The high percent-

The Coldstone Creamery on Old Woodward Avenue in downtown Birmingham was headed for ruin until new owner Dave Singh stepped in and brought it back to life. Singh has owned the store since 2008. According to Store Manager Gina Prater, staff received at least two complaints a day under the former management; but now that Singh has taken over, sales numbers have doubled and continue to climb. “Dave brings new ideas to the table,” Prater said. “He’s the main reason why our sales are so high. He’s the best teacher and boss. He teaches staff the value of a dollar, the importance of customer service and going above and beyond.” Before Singh reopened the business, he remodeled and cleaned up the store that was in a state of decline. “Before Dave took over there was a lot of damage to equipment and it needed a major clean up,” Prater said. Now the store is one of the busiest Coldstone franchises in the nation, according to Prater. “We do a phenomenal business, especially in the summer with so much foot traffic,” she said. “Our service is impeccable. Most of our staff are teens, who traditionally have a high turn over, but Dave cares about every single employee and since we opened two years ago I still have the same crew leads and assistant managers on staff. That tells you a lot about the owner.” Prater said the top-selling Coldstone ice cream flavor nationwide is Cake Batter. Oreo

Creme Filling ice cream is a close second, but is only available until June 30. All Coldstone ice cream and ingredients are homemade. The ice cream is made on site on a giant stone cooled to 16 degrees. The ice cream is labeled extra super premium due to the high concentration of butterfat. “The higher the butterfat the better the quality,” Prater said. “Ours is 16 percent butter fat, the highest you can buy.” A selection of over 50 ingredients, such as fresh nuts, candy, and fruits are kept on hand. The ingredients are chopped and swirled into the ice cream as it sits on the frigid granite stone. “This way they watch their ice cream being made right before their eyes,” Prater said. Unique to this store are the Coldstone wedding cakes that Prater designs and creates. “I’ve been a cake designer since I was 16,” she said. “These cakes are humongous and four people typically have to carry them out. They are four to five tiers with a 16- to 18inch diameter and each layer has ice cream in it.” In addition to over 45 flavors of ice cream and the traditional ice cream novelties, the store offers sugar-free ice cream called “Sinless Sweet Cream” made with Splenda; sorbets for lactose intolerant customers; ice cream cupcakes, and frozen coffee drinks. Prater said with the number of ice cream stores in the area communities, her Coldstone store is always one step ahead of the competition. “We completely blow everyone out of the water,” she said. “Our quality and service is so great. It’s all about the experience and you get the ultimate experience when you come here.” To top off the ice cream experience at the Birmingham Coldstone, you can exchange a tip for a song. “Every time we get a tip we have a tradition that we make up words to the newest tune and sing a song to the customer,” Prater said. “Everyone leaves the store with a smile.” Store hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. ❯

Gina Prater, manager of the Coldstone Creamery store in Birmingham, credits owner Dave Singh with revitalizing the business by emphasizing customer service.

Kilwins owner Linda Luhtanen, who also owns a Kilwins store in Plymouth, says the business’ upperscale products are a good fit with the community.

Owner Paul Scott characterizes his Stroh’s ice cream parlor in Birmingham as a neighborhood establishment where the staff knows many of the customers by name.

Coldstone Creamery (Birmingham)

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THE PAPER

JUNE 2010

Kilwins The recently purchased confectionery shop at 162 N. Old Woodward Avenue is a temptation hard for window shoppers to resist. Proprietor Linda Luhtanen, who also owns the sister store in Plymouth, remodeled the downtown Birmingham shop prior to its grand opening in February. “We opened a store a year ago in Plymouth and it did so well that we opted to open one in Birmingham,” Luhtanen said. “Our upper-scale products make us a good fit with the Birmingham community.” Kilwins offers hand-made chocolates, premium caramel corn, ice cream and an assortment of sweets. According to Manager Robert Pillittera, there are several signature items that people gravitate towards, like the toasted coconut ice cream. “It’s our top seller and you can’t find it anywhere else,” he said, adding that the chocolate-covered Oreos, truffles, and a trademarked delicacy called Tuttles also are real crowd pleasers. Tuttles are an assortment of nuts dipped in caramel and chocolate. Choices include cashew, macadamia, or pecan. All the ice cream at Kilwins is premium quality and made in Holland, Mich. Apart from the ice cream, Kilwins offers homemade specialty items such as caramel krispies; peanut brittle in cashew, pecan, and peanut traditions; and their famous fudge. “People definitely come in for the fudge,” Pillittera said. “The fudge is made here and people know our name from Mackinac Island and Traverse City. The amount of fudge sold is second only to our Toasted Coconut ice cream.” “Kilwins is a Michigan-made company,” Luhtanen said. “We’re noted for our ice cream and fudge. The fudge is made in the front window so everyone can watch the process.” Kilwins is a franchise with 70 stores throughout Michigan, Florida, and the East Coast. There is one store in Colorado. It’s genesis began in the 1940s as a bakery in Petoskey, Mich., where the bulk of the company’s candy is still made today — except for the dipped krispies, pretzels, Oreos, graham crackers, and Ritz cracker creations.

Oberweis products are as close to organic as you can get without the label, according to manager Lena Heyn. The store gets its milk from small, family-owned farms.

In addition to the specialties, Kilwins provides a vast selection of sugar-free treats that won’t disappoint. It also offers daily specials for the frugal consumer, like the “buy-one-get-one-free” bargain. Moreover, it offers a menu of hot and cold beverages, including hot chocolate, lattes in various flavors, milk shakes, and Kilwins Koolers, a concoction of sorbetto lemon or raspberry blended with Sprite. “Our smoothie drinks are fresh frozen and squeezed fruit drinks,” Pillittera said. Prices vary. A single homemade waffle cone runs $4.75, while the same with drizzled caramel costs $5.50; but, Pillittera said the prices are actually lower in Birmingham and Plymouth than in Petoskey and other stores in the region. While there is a steady stream of traffic in the store throughout the year, summer undoubtedly is the height of the ice cream season. “It’s insane pedestrian traffic with lines out the door, especially on the weekends in the summer, but we give great service and are good at moving people through,” Pillittera said. Hours during the summer are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

which has only 8 calories per serving; and Wow Cow, a sugar-free treat that Scott calls “udderly delicious.” “If we didn’t have yogurt we wouldn’t be selling ice cream,” Scott said. “The parents love the low-carb items and the kids gravitate toward the ice cream and the Colombo yogurt.” Unique to Stroh’s ice creamery is a peanutfree freezer for those with peanut allergies. In addition, they feature nostalgic candies such as Mary Janes, Candy Buttons, and Nickel Wafers. The store is bright and cheery, akin to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor complete with thick-rimmed sundae glasses. Stroh’s summer hours are from noon to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Oberweis

The neighborhood-friendly Stroh’s ice cream parlor at Maple and Lahser in Birmingham has been in existence for over 45 years. Owners Paul Scott and Tino Orozco bought the store in 1971 and made it their practice to acquaint themselves with their regular customers. “It’s a neighborhood ice cream parlor,” Scott said. “We know a lot of the families, especially the children and grandchildren, by first name.” Backed by the Stroh’s reputation for highquality ice cream, the confectionery features 50 different flavors at any given time. The top sellers include: Moose Tracks, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Blue Moon, Play Dough, and Birthday Cake. In addition to ice cream, Stroh’s offers three variations of frozen yogurt: Colombo; Only 8,

Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store, located at 32808 Woodward Avenue, borders the city of Birmingham. The quaint shop, with its crimson and white sign and awnings, is inviting to both Royal Oak and Birmingham patrons. The store opened March 1 and has already realized great success. “We’re doing very well,” said store manager Lena Heyn. “We get a lot of families from the surrounding neighborhoods. We offer a family setting, so of course we get a lot of children.” Oberweis’ niche is the milk it uses in all its products. They use real milk, produced without artificial growth hormones and free of antibiotics. Every farmer who produces and supplies milk exclusively for Oberweis must sign a “farmer’s pledge” that meets these standards. Oberweis contracts with small, family-owned farms with milking herds of about 150 cows vs. the typical thousands found at factory farms. “Our products are as close to organic as you can get without the label,” Heyn said. “The only difference is that the farmers are not required to give the cows organic feed.” Oberweis has stores across the Midwest, from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana to Missouri. The local store, as well as the two others in Oakland County, are corporate-owned. Each store offers 26 different classics at ❯

Manager Linda Mannone said the continued success of Sanders is based on nostalgia. The hot fudge cream puff is the store’s top-selling ice cream item.

The Coldstone Creamery in Bloomfield Hills is one of three in Oakland County owned by Terry Sedmak, who has started catering events on a larger scale.

Stroh’s

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JUNE 2010

any given time. Some of the store’s top sellers include milk shakes, brownie sundaes, and turtle candy sundaes. “Corporate offers more but it depends on what the customer wants and the time of year,” Heyn said. Seasonal items are also offered, such as peach ice cream during the summer, and egg nog and peppermint during the Christmas holidays. Apart from ice cream, Oberweis sells milks, cheeses, eggs, and a smorgasbord of breakfast items in its refrigerated section, along with specialty ice cream cakes and pies. This summer Oberweis is launching four new smoothies with flavors based on an island theme and using fresh frozen fruit. A full service coffee bar features lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos hot and cold beverages. “Some of our lattes are made with ice cream so they have a little different twist to them, like the vanilla bean and turtle, which are our most popular,” Heyn said. This location is the only store that sports a leisurely sitting area akin to Starbucks or Caribou Coffee. “We want people to relax for the evening in a family-oriented atmosphere,” Heyn said. “We offer games like Jenga, Chess and Candyland for families to play and enjoy.” Unlike other ice cream stores, Oberweis offers a unique home delivery service for a myriad of food items. The extensive menu features meats, coffees, breakfast foods, snacks, and numerous dairy products. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Sanders A Michigan tradition since 1875, Sanders had no trouble laying roots in Birmingham three and a half years ago, when it opened a store at 745 E Maple. “We’re off the beaten track because we’re not right in town but we do an excellent business with cakes because the Sanders name is so well-known,” said manager Linda Mannone.

Custard is the main attraction at Birmingham’s Custard Cup, where patrons often line up down the block to satisfy their taste buds, according to manager Tammy Snooks.

The staple dessert, the hot fudge cream puff, is its ice cream top seller. It’s believed the concoction appeared on Sanders menus in the second decade of the 20th century. The hot fudge sundae is the runner up. Sanders also sells candy, fudge toppings, and baked goods. Popular items include bumpy cakes and colonial buttercream cakes. “Our continued success is based on nostalgia,” Mannone said. “Everyone who comes in here has a story about Sanders.” Unlike some other Sanders storefronts, this locale doesn’t serve light lunch fare. The Morley Candy Makers and Sanders Brands provide premium chocolates and confections. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Coldstone Creamery (Bloom. Hills): Nestled between Just Add Water Florist and Fuddruckers restaurant, the Bloomfield Hills Coldstone Creamery at Square Lake and Woodward entices crowds by its “anyway you like it” philosophy. Owner Terry Sedmak purchased the franchise in 2003 and held its grand opening that August. The gourmet ice cream parlor with its vibrant walls and friendly staff used to attract a diverse demographic, catering to those in the nearby communities, as well as the General Motors facility on north Woodward Avenue; but the recent recession has taken a toll on business. “We had a good business up until the economic downturn, but with the GM plant closing and other businesses leaving the area, such as Blockbuster next door, there’s been an impact,” Sedmak said. Despite a slight lull in everyday business, Coldstone’s name is a natural draw for many patrons. Sedmak said they make the ice cream products fresh daily on site, along with cakes and waffle cone varieties. “Some ice cream concepts have these products shipped, but we don’t,” Sedmak said. “We

The Dairy Mat’s Woodward Avenue locale in Birmingham attracts a lot of both foot traffic and drive-by customers, according to owner Carol Okragleski.

are a gourmet ice cream parlor, and what makes us special besides the products themselves is that we prepare them the way the customer likes them.” The process of serving any ice cream treat at Coldstone’s begins with taking plain ice cream and placing it on a stone at 16 degrees, and mixing in whatever toppings or ingredients the customer prefers to add. Coldstone offers 46 flavors in tandem with two different flavors of yogurt and six different sorbets. The top-selling ice cream is undoubtedly Cake Batter, according to Sedmak, although they use a lot of the Sweet Cream flavor as a base for milkshakes and ice cream cakes. “We offer 10 signature cakes available at all times, or the customer can customize a cake to his/her preference,” Sedmak said. The store also offers regular specials through a text messaging program and newspapers. To offset the loss of sales, Sedmak has been innovative and started catering events on a larger scale. “We’ve done corporate events, birthdays, graduation parties, bar or bat mitzvahs, you name it,” he said. Sedmak owns two Coldstone Creamery’s in Oakland County besides the Bloomfield Hills store; one in Commerce Township on Haggerty Road, and the other at the Fountain Walk in Novi. “My other stores have realized an uptick in business but the one in Bloomfield Hills is slightly down,” Sedmak said. “I attribute it to the economy more than anything else. but I think things have bottomed out and I’m sure things are on the upswing.” Store winter summer hours are noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and noon to 11 p.m. during the weekends.

Custard Cup Another family tradition for over 30 years, the Custard Cup located at 32922 Woodward Avenue is a quaint, out-of-the-way nook serving its specialty premium custard. Terry Jackson, the original owner, holds to the philosophy of why change a sure thing, ❯

Paul Walter, who has owned Birmingham’s Dairy Deluxe for 24 years, says his business is all about quality, service, and making memories for his clientele.

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so he hasn’t. But don’t let the tiny storefront fool you. Loyal patrons line up half way down the street during the summer to get their taste buds satisfied. “We serve the highest grade of ice cream — custard,” said manager Tammy Snooks. “It’s rich and creamy and offered in either chocolate, vanilla or twist.” Two speciality items include cake bowl sundaes and the Colosso waffle cone, hand-dipped in caramel or chocolate, sprinkled with nuts, and filled with custard. Gourmet frozen yogurt along with other traditional ice cream confections are also served. The Custard Cup may be a diamond in the rough establishment, but its quirky tradition of creating an artsy tip jar every summer molded from Styrofoam is another draw for patrons. Yet, it’s the custard that’s the main attraction. People come out in droves and will withstand the wait to get their fix. “We have them lined up around the corner and down the block on most days, even cloudy ones and especially on Friday and Saturday nights,” Snooks said. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

ship of Carol Okragleski and Kathy Reissdorf. It’s the hot spot during the Dream Cruise and a bustling hub on summer evenings. “We get a lot of pedestrian traffic because we’re known as a neighborhood spot, but Woodward brings in drive-by customers, too,” Okragleski said. “Our busiest time, however, is during the Dream Cruise.” Dairy Mat features ice cream and non-fat yogurt varieties. It’s unique ice cream flavors are orange and orange/vanilla. “They’re not sherbets and we’re very well known for these,” Okragleski said. They custom blend 26 flavors for an array of ice cream varieties such as black raspberry or lemon. Moreover, they offer flurries, and a vast assortment of shakes, malts, and sundaes. Fruit shakes, another homemade specialty item, are concocted using real fruit as opposed to syrups. “So far this year we’re in pretty good shape,” Okragleski said. “Our business is dictated by the weather, but so far this year the spring has been cooperating.” Store hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Dairy Mat

Situated on Maple Road north of 14 Mile, Dairy Deluxe has been a fixture in Birmingham for over 55 years, and is fondly known as the mom-andpop shop with efficient and friendly service.

The Dairy Mat, situated at 35032 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, has been reigning in residents for over 13 years under the owner-

Dairy Deluxe

Owner Paul Walter bought the humble storefront 24 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. “I didn’t tell anyone how long I had owned it until I hit my 19th year,” Walter said. “It’s a different kind of business because we aren’t just promoting ice cream, we promote memories.” The store is respectfully comparable to a Dairy Queen and is open between the beginning of February and the third week of November. Specialities include turtle pies and sundaes, doggie cups with cherry bones on top, and tart frozen frosty yogurts. Moreover, it features boysenberry ice cream and rotates flavors based on customer preferences. “We are always conscious of taste, service and quality,” Walter said. Dairy Deluxe hires 18 teens per season that Walter touts as the primary reasons the store gives such efficient service. “We specialize in service,” he said. “My staff is made of the best kids and people don’t need to be worried about the lines because they move quickly.” Though competition is steep in the area, Walter appears unruffled by it. “We’re all about quality and service and making memories. The only thing we need to worry about is our self and everything is OK. We’re always happy when people come back.” Dairy Deluxe’s hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. ■ The Paper photos/Amy K. Lockard

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uy Gordon, morning news anchor for WDIV-TV (Channel 4), had no intention of becoming a broadcast journalist as a Central Michigan University (CMU) student. But, with over two decades of experience as a news anchor under his belt, it is clear that he found his niche. “My plan was actually to go into broadcast management. I managed the radio station at CMU and did a little work as a game show host in Mt. Pleasant,” he said. A natural on camera, Gordon soon became a staple in homes across southeastern Michigan. He settled into a morning news anchor position with WDIV in 2004 after many years as an evening news anchor on a different station. While Gordon concedes that journalism has greatly changed since he began in the field, he said that broadcast journalists offer truth to their audience. “Now more than ever, with all the alternative forms of news, we act as the inoculation against what is a lot of noise out there,” he said. “I don’t know if people know why they need us, but they need us. We’re still the source that doesn’t have a point of view and isn’t supposed to, unless it’s on the editorial page,a where it belongs.” As a public figure, Gordon said that bad days are checked at the door when entering the news station.

“You get your game face on, you’re in a different mode and you get the job done,” he said. “When you’re on the air, you are mentally in a different place.” Through the years, Gordon has reported on a large spectrum of news events, but the hardest story for him to tell is still that of a victimized child. “It still really bugs me; those stories are emotionally difficult.” With three children of his own, Gordon gives back to the community through the Guy Gordon Classic for Kids, an annual golf event at the Links of Novi. The charity benefits Oakland Family Services, a non-profit social services agency. When he’s not meeting the demands of his career, Gordon spends much of his free time with his wife, Gale, in the serene environment of their Bloomfield Hills home. “I like how quiet and pastoral it is,” he said. “It’s like a little piece of the country.” While Gordon’s career may not have followed the direction he'd originally intended, his warmth and sincerity have won a place in hearts and homes across southeast Michigan every morning. — Katey Meisner — The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard

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■ election Candidates file for various local elected offices By Lisa Brody Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township voters will decide numerous contested races for local elected positions during the Aug. 3 primary and Nov. 2 general elections. Tuesday, May 11 was the filing deadline for candidates seeking office in the pending U.S. House of Representatives; state House and Senate; Oakland County Board of Commissioners; and a pair of township races. Any race in which more candidates than positions available are seeking party nomination will be subject to the Aug. 3 primary election. Candidates selected by voters in that polling will qualify for the Nov. 2 general election contests. Birmingham and Bloomfield voters will fill the 9th Congressional District seat this year. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, a Democrat, is running unopposed this year for his party’s nomination. U.S. representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $174,000 a year. Four Republicans have filed to run in the Aug. 3 GOP primary race for the opportunity to challenge Peters in November. They are Rocky Raczkowski, a former state representative; Paul Welday, a former executive director of the Oakland County Republican Party and president and CEO of Renaissance Strategies, a Michigan-based public relations and public affairs consulting firm; Anna Janek; and former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Richard D. Kuhn. Birmingham and Bloomfield voters also will fill the 13th State Senate District seat this year, a post currently held by Sen. John Pappageorge, a Republican. State senators serve fouryear terms, and may serve no more than two terms. They are currently paid $79,650 a year, plus $1,000 a month for office expenses. Pappageorge, a former state representative, is seeking a second term in the Senate. He is being challenged in the primary election by fellow Republicans Roi Chinn and David R. Kniffen. The winner will face Democrat Aaron Bailey in November. Incumbent state Rep. Chuck Moss, a Republican, has no challenger in the GOP primary election contest for the 40th State House District seat. State representatives are limited to serving no more than three two-year terms. Moss is seeking a third and final term in the House this year. Democrat Julie Candler, who is unopposed in the primary election, will square off www.oaklandpaper.com

against Moss in November. State representatives are currently paid $79,650 a year, plus $1,000 a month for office expenses. Several Oakland County commissioner seats will be filled by voters this year. County commissioners serve two-year terms. Commissioners are currently paid $33,742. They will earn 5 percent less, or $32,055, beginning in 2011. In the 13th District, which represents the northeast corner of Bloomfield Township, Republican incumbent Robert Gosselin is being challenged by Democrat John E. Levin in November. Neither has a primary election opponent. Incumbent Republican Shelley Goodman Taub is running for another term as the county’s 16th District commissioner, representing a portion of Bloomfield Township. She is a former state representative who was a county commissioner before serving in Lansing. She returned to the county Board of Commissioners after winning the 16th District seat in the 2008 general election. Democrat Kathy Hagopian, a retailer (but not of the Hagopian carpet merchants), of West Bloomfield is running for the position, as is Democrat J. Andrew O’Connor. In the 17th District, representing a portion of Bloomfield Township, incumbent Democrat Marcia Gershenson will face off against Republican Anne Marie Blake in the November general election. Neither faces opposition in their respective primary elections. Incumbent Republican David Potts is running for his third term as the county’s 20th District commissioner, representing Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and a portion of Bloomfield Township. Potts will compete against E. Lynne Risdon and David L. Wisz in the GOP primary election. The winner of the Republican primary contest will take on Democrat Daniel J.K. Murray in November. Murray is a recent graduate of Andover High School. Republican Brian Kepes is unopposed in running to retain his seat on the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees. Kepes was appointed to the township board in March 2009, after former trustee Greg Jamian resigned in order to fill a seat on the Oakland County Board of Road Commissioners. With no opponents, Kepes will serve the remainder of Jamian’s unexpired term, until November 2012. Township trustees serve four-year terms and are paid $150 per meeting. Lyle Dahlberg and Grant Gerhart are unopposed in running to serve the remainder of two unexpired terms on the Bloomfield Township Library Board. Bloomfield Township

Clerk Jan Roncelli said both Dahlberg and Gerhart were appointed to the library board following the resignation of two library board members. Lacking opponents this year, Dahlberg and Gerhart will serve on the library board until November 2012. Library board members serve four-year terms and receive no pay for their service. ■

Voters to decide contested races for area judicial posts A number of judicial candidates are running for bench seats at the probate, district, and circuit court levels in Oakland County, with two contested races to be decided during the Nov. 2 general election. The filing deadline for judicial candidates was 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. Oakland County Circuit Court incumbents Rae Lee Chabot, Cheryl A. Matthews, Colleen A. O’Brien, Daniel Patrick O’Brien, and Joan E. Young are unopposed in seeking re-election this year. Circuit court judges serve six-year terms and currently are paid $140,000 a year. The circuit court handles general civil disputes over

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$25,000, criminal felony cases, and appeals from lower courts. There are two seats to fill this year in the Oakland County Probate Court, which adjudicates adoptions, commitment, juvenile cases, wills, and probate cases. For the incumbent seat, which is a six-year term earning $140,000 a year, Elizabeth Pezzetti is running unopposed this year. Five candidates are competing for a six-year non-incumbent Probate Court bench seat, which also pays $140,000 a year. The candidates are J. Martin Brennan; Dana Margaret Hathaway; Barbara B. Murphy; Kathleen Ryan; and Jamie Marie Verdi. They will compete in the Aug. 3 primary election, when voters will cast ballots to whittle down the field to two candidates competing in the Nov. 2 general election. In the 48th District Court, incumbent Judge Marc Barron is being challenged by Gina Brand for a sixyear stint on the bench. The position pays $140,000 a year. That contest will be decided in the Nov. 2 election. District courts handle general civil cases up to $25,000, landlord/tenant cases, misdemeanor cases carrying sentences below one year in jail, and felony arraignments. ■

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he 2010 election cycle has the potential to once again alter the electoral landscape of Oakland County, according to several observers. Multiple factors could influence this year's elections and reverse the inroads Democrats made in 2008 on the coattails of Barack Obama's historic ride to the White House as the first African-American president of the United States, and the Democratic wave that flooded the country in reaction to the breakdown of the nation's financial institutions, the mortgage industry collapse, the bursting of the real estate bubble, and high unemployment. Some of those familiar with Oakland County's political scene say a backlash against Democratic candidates could very well trickle down from the top of the general election ballot to the races for county positions. On Nov. 2, 2010, voters will have the opportunity to decide numerous races for elected positions representing the Birmingham and Bloomfield communities, after first casting ballots in the Aug. 3 primary election to pick Republican or Democratic Party nominees for the general election contests. There's a long-standing political trend that the party holding the White House usually loses Congressional seats in mid-term elections, such as the 2010 general election. According to Oakland University Associate Professor of Political Science David Dulio, that's more than speculative talk. He said that trend has been evident in all but three mid-term elections since 1934. "In those years where the president has lost seats (in Congress), some have been drastic losses," Dulio said. "In 1994, (President Bill) Clinton lost 52 seats in the House, and eight seats in the Senate. FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) lost 71 seats in the House in 1938, and six Senate seats. Ike (Dwight Eisenhower) lost 48 House seats and 13 Senate seats in 1958. Looking back, these were popular presidents. There is a great precedent for losing large amounts of seats (in mid-term elections)." Dulio said he not only believes there will be a backlash against Democrats this year, but the change in the landscape of the national political scene will trickle all the way down to the local level in 2010. "This will not be a good year for Democrats," he said. "But I don't think

the House (Democrats) will lose lots of seats. I don't see a blood bath. But it's impossible to know at this time if the House will have 10 or 35 seats turn over." "On the national and state fronts, the last two elections were referendums on (George W.) Bush, and they became Democratic years," said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard Jr. (RHighland), who previously served in both the state House and Senate. "This year is a combination referendum on Obama and (Michigan Gov. Jennifer) Granholm, which favors Republicans." According to Bullard, many voters in a presidential election, especially those who have never voted before, tend to vote a straight-party ticket. In 2008, that led to higher Democratic vote tallies in national and state legislative races, as well as Democratic candidates taking over the Oakland County prosecutor and treasurer positions. "Some of these voters only cared about (President) Obama and the national electoral government, and didn't even know about county, state or local races," he said. In Michigan, eight years of an unpopular Democratic governor further portends a potential backlash against Democrats in 2010. "Many Democrats see the writing on the wall, and are choosing not to run this year," Dulio said. "In another year, many others would choose to run. It's a strategic move by many Democrats to sit this election out for a better political climate for their party. A lot of Republicans who may not have run before have decided to run for the same reason. After Granholm, they figure they're going to run this time." "The playing field is now leveled up again. Republicans are in much better shape than two years ago, but we have to earn that by taking the message to the people, and by following up on what we promised them," said David Law, chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party and a former state representative. "That's the only way we can win the trust back of the voters." "Everything looks right now like it will be a backlash (against Democrats)," said state Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township). "It doesn't mean (voters) like Republicans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they're just mad at Democrats." â?Ż

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Bill Ballenger, editor of the "Inside Michigan Politics" newsletter, concurs. "There is a general dissatisfaction here in Michigan against Granholm, and a legislative backlash is setting in," he said. "Democrats have been dropping out (of the gubernatorial race). They've never found their footing since presumed front runner, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, dropped out on Jan. 5. "The Democrats all seemed caught unaware," he added. "(Speaker of the House Andy) Dillon (DRedford), long thought to be a candidate, is, as is (Lansing Mayor) Virg Bernero. The five Republicans running could hack themselves to death in the primary, or the person who wins the primary might not be a person people like. Voting for governor is not a generic ballot test — it's a person test." "It will be a fascinating primary. There will be some tough choices for voters to make," Law said. "Voters will be looking for someone who will be able to guide the state, and bring the state back, to make it again a world-class state where companies want to come and create jobs. That's priority No. 1." "I contend that no election can be taken for granted, and at every turn, each vote has to be earned, not expected," said Mike McGuinness, chairman of the Oakland County Democratic Party. "Candidates will fully have to earn the voters' support. This election cycle is going to be unpredictable. We have to remember, that although President Obama's numbers have dipped, his poll numbers are the same as on election day, so his voters are still with him — if they come out and vote again." he current unknown in the 2010 election cycle is the possible impact of the Tea Party movement on Republicans and Democrats. "Something has caused thousands to get up off of their couches, out of their offices, and make a national and local statement," said Oakland University's Dulio. He added that Tea Party movement supporters have a dramatic leaning toward the right, though there are some conservative Democrats concerned about debt and taxes who are part of the movement. "It's the people rising up — they're fed up," Moss said of the Tea Party movement. "This is Jacksonian America rising up against Republicans and Democrats and saying, 'Enough, and we vote.' They're disaffected with the whole darn shooting match." Dan Farough, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills), said, "It (the Tea Party movement) just shows how hungry people are for candidates that are an independent voice for their communities. Candidates need to transcend the powerful 'Republican' and 'Democrat' labels." "They're powerful," Moss said of Tea Party activists. "It's easy to say they're a bunch of nuts. Not so. They're Americans, they're going to vote — and we better listen." "They're motivating Republicans who, for several years, have been frustrated with how the state and the country have been going. It's motivating people to elect officials in line with their thinking and their policies," said Law. Dulio said the chips are stacked against the Tea Party movement evolving into a viable third party, but supporters will influence other candidates and races. He said the Republicans are trying to co-opt the issues the Tea Party supporters care about, and are trying to make them their own, but that may make some Tea Party supporters angrier. "They are very issue-oriented and will support those candidates that support their issues," said

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political consultant Steve Mitchell, chairman of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc., with offices in West Bloomfield Township and Lansing. Dulio said the Tea Party movement reflects the No. 1 issue on everyone's radar screen this election year — jobs. "If you look at the polling — local, state, national — nothing else even comes close," he said. "People are angry about health care, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to jobs." istorically, Oakland County has been a Republican stronghold preserved by traditional, conservative, white, Anglo-Saxon values. In the last generation, as the county has become more diverse and heterogeneous, beginning in the southeast area of the county and spreading north and west, the county has become more and more Democratic. "A lot of the suburbs now look like a Benetton ad," said county Democratic Party Chairman McGuinness. "Oakland County is very diversified, well-educated, and open-minded. Today, the Republican Party isn't receptive to some of those views. You see why the Democratic Party's role in people's lives has changed." "There has been a wholesale migration of African-Americans from Detroit to Oakland County, and they took their Democratic politics with them, which is why the county is skewing more Democratic — it's not a change in politics," said Moss. "Historically, African-Americans are Democrats, and that won't change, especially with Obama in office." "As African-Americans moved from Detroit to Southfield and to Farmington Hills, and now to all of Oakland County, that is part of the demographic change of partisan voters throughout Oakland County," Mitchell said. "There are groups who tend to vote Democratic — AfricanAmericans; Jews, who are a heavy presence in Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills; college professors; and the media. Yet, if you look at Oakland County, (County Executive) L. Brooks Patterson and (Sheriff) Mike Bouchard have a strong popularity throughout the county, with a lot of ticket-splitting." With the 2010 elections, however, Mitchell said the traditional thinking will be altered because of Granholm's nearly-universal unpopularity. "This will be a top-of-ticket down effect," he said. "The gubernatorial race will affect all of the other races (down the ballot). Granholm's unpopularity will affect all of the races, down to the county level." n the governor's race, Mitchell said the Republicans have four strong candidates. Two — Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Rick Snyder — have a lot of money. It's believed Snyder is spending his own, and Cox has already raised $1.5 million, according to Mitchell. He said Bouchard and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra haven't raised nearly as much money. Candidate Tom George doesn't appear to be much of a factor, at least not at this point. "Hoekstra doesn't have much money, and has a problem," Mitchell said. However, according to polls conducted by Rasmussen in late April, Hoekstra was leading Cox by a wide margin for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, despite the campaign war chest disparity. Rasmussen had Hoekstra ahead, 28 percent to 13 percent for Cox; Snyder had 14 percent of the support, reflecting voter response to his early advertising. Bouchard had 9 percent. In an effort to attack Hoekstra during the week of May 10, Cox began airing attack ads

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throughout the state, other than metro Detroit. Pundits claimed he was spending too much money too soon, and that it showed vulnerability. "The Democrats have problems with their candidates," said political consultant Mitchell. "Dillon is much more conservative than mainstream Democrats. Bernero is a hard-working Democratic union candidate, who's pro-choice. He just can't raise much money." Additionally, he said, those out of power in Michigan are angry about jobs and the economy. "Because of that, it's easier for the Republicans' to rally together and raise money," Mitchell said. Despite an apparent growing dissatisfaction with incumbents — both Republicans and Democrats — some political observers believe anti-incumbent attitudes often fall by the wayside when voters reach the polls. "We've been hearing for 25 years, 'We don't want professional politicians, we need an outsider,'" said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bullard. "That did happen 16 years ago, with Pete Hoekstra riding around western Michigan on a bike, beating the incumbent. Yet, 9 out of 10 people vote for people that were in another office. If you're on a City Council, and you do OK, then you trust them as a county commissioner, then as a House representative, and as a state senator, etc. When it comes to actually voting for somebody, people stick with people who they believe did OK in another office." While some may be inclined to see the predicted backlash against Democrats resulting in a wholesale sweep, and a total GOP endorsement, Mitchell disagrees. "Oakland County is a very smart electorate," he said. "They go where they perceive they are going to get the best representation." "People are frustrated with their leaders that don't appear to be working together," said county Republican Party chairman Law. "There still appears to be partisan gridlock. That could be a negative factor for incumbents in the state, just like around the country. We could see a few lose office, but I don't envision a massive overthrow." All state and local candidates, other than judicial candidates, had until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11 to file candidate paperwork to run for office this year. Judicial candidates had to file by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27 for bench seats. here is one Congressional race impacting the Birmingham and Bloomfield community voters this year: The 9th Congressional District contest, where Peters is the incumbent. U.S. representatives serve for two-year terms and are currently paid $174,000 a year. Peters is a freshman Democrat who knocked off former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg in 2008 after the incumbent had served 16 years in Washington, winning the vote 52 percent to 43 percent. Many political pundits believe that while Peters was a strong candidate, he was carried into office by the tide which swept Obama into the White House. The 9th District represents a large section of Oakland County, including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Franklin, Farmington and Farmington Hills, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Lake Angelus. Peters is running for a second term. Prior to becoming a U.S. representative, he was a state senator, state lottery commissioner, and a college professor. ❯

■ snapshot

dr. randy shaw

rthodontist and Bloomfield Hills resident Dr. Randy Shaw sees a couple hundred patients each week at his Livonia office, but at the end of the week, he heads to Waterford Hills Road Racing Course to unwind. “About 15 years ago, I went to driving school for racing, and five years ago I actually started racing,” he said. “It’s the sense of competition, the ability to drive fast and the stress removal that really drew me in.” Shaw races his Miata in a series called Spec Miata. Competitors with equivalent racecars are able to drive in the event. “It’s one of the many different classes that are set up at a racing event,” he said. “I have a couple people who help me prepare the car, so I get to completely focus on the driving.” Preparation is extensive and imperative in avoiding mishaps, Shaw said. “I need to be 100 percent focused on not making any mistakes because competitors will capitalize on the slightest error.” Shaw said he takes precautions to ensure safety while racing, but there’s always the potential for impact with a wall or a competitor. “We have a very strong roll cage within the car and a special racing seat,” he said. “We wear fireproof suits and have fire extinguishers inside the car.” Despite the preventive measures, Shaw said his biggest detractor from

his hobby is his wife, acknowledging it's not her passion. “I used to golf more than I raced,” he said. “Now that I’m racing more, my wife definitely encourages my golf game. She'll go strongly on the record opposing my racing.” With two teenage daughters at home who haven't taken an interest in his hobby, he counts on his racing family for support. He’s traveled to different tracks all over the state and in Ohio, winning some of the competitions he’s entered. As a husband, a father, orthodontist, businessman, and racecar driver, Shaw said he loves the different facets of his life. “I like having a balance between them all,” he said. “Every piece brings something to my life.” While Shaw was raised in Farmington Hills, he and his wife are raising their own two girls in Bloomfield Hills. “Bloomfield Hills has good schools and wonderful neighborhoods." As for racing, he hopes to continue to compete for many years to come. He relishes his time at Waterford Hills and encourages everyone in the community to come out for the races. — Katey Meisner —The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard

"Gary Peters is not focusing on campaigning right now," said Farough, his campaign manager. "His focus is on reforming Washington and Wall Street to make them more accountable to the people and jump starting the economy through a focus on small businesses." Four Republicans have filed to run in the Aug. 3 GOP primary for the opportunity to challenge Peters in November. They are Rocky Raczkowski, a former state representative; Paul Welday, a former executive director of the Oakland County Republican Party and president and CEO of Renaissance Strategies, a Michigan-based public relations and public affairs consulting firm; Anna Janek; and former circuit court Judge Richard D. Kuhn. "I think it will be close," said former Oakland County Treasurer Pat Dohany of the November general election contest for the 9th Congressional District seat. "Peters will have to work. He has become such a strong congressman in such a short period of time, they (Republicans) will have a high hurdle unseating him." eters has been ranked by the National Journal as the most moderate member of Congress representing Michigan from either party, according to Peters Spokesperson Cullen Schwarz. "Inside Michigan Politics" editor Ballenger disagrees with that characterization. "He could be beaten by a Republican, and being a first-term representative makes him more vulnerable," he said. "He was elected because he was voted in on the Democratic wave with Obama. But the Republicans don't have a strong candidate. It's a marginal seat right now, in a not-good Democratic year. (Peters) tried to recast himself as a centrist, but he's fairly liberal — more so than his district." Law agrees. "The primary will help the (Republican) candidates because it will create name awareness," he said. "It will have helped get Republican, conservative issues before the voters and what we will do differently, and then our candidate will be prepared to show Rep. Peters' voting record, and how it doesn't represent the district." he Birmingham-Bloomfield area has long been a bastion of Republican support, as it has been a haven of white affluence. As the area becomes populated by affluent suburbandwelling immigrants, such as Indians, Asians, and Chaldeans, as well as upwardly-mobile Jews and African-Americans who tend to vote Democratic, Republican candidates have to prove themselves in the area as much as Democrats. There is no longer a free pass in Birmingham or Bloomfield. "There is still a strong Republican base, but those who would call themselves independents have grown," county GOP chair Law said. "We're going to have to do a much better time connecting with those independent voters this election than two years ago." "We are redoubling our efforts with candidates we can demonstrate will govern well," said the Democrats' McGuinness. The state Senate race involving the local area involves the 13th District, representing Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township, currently represented by Republican Sen. John Pappageorge. State senators serve four-year terms, and may serve no more than two terms. They are currently paid $79,650 a year, plus $1,000 a month for office expenses. Pappageorge, a former state representative, is running for his second term. He will find himself in a primary race against fellow Republicans Roi Chinn and David R. Kniffen. The winner will face Democrat Aaron Bailey in November.

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"My whole life, I've been involved in public service," Pappageorge said. "I don't know my opponents, but when we met briefly, I said, 'I don't do negative.' Campaigns get nasty — but I'm not going to feed that alligator." He said his central theme is helping people. "We measure our lives by how much control we have over our lives; we've been losing control over them with health care, taxes, welfare, and crime. People want control. I want to help them with the dignity of finding a job, making decisions about their own families and their lives as much as possible." "Pappageorge is vulnerable," said county Democratic Party chair McGuinness. "He's had a leadership role in the state Senate. If people are frustrated with partisan gridlock, he's a culprit." "I know first-hand that Pappageorge has worked hard. He's done well, and he's warranted a second term," Law said. There is one state House district representing all of Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, and Bloomfield Hills — the 40th District, where Republican incumbent Moss is currently running for a third, and final term. It's widely believed he will sail back into office. Opposing him is Democrat Julie Candler. "Julie Candler is a very nice lady; she was my opponent last time (in 2008), and she used to be my neighbor," Moss said. State representatives serve two-year terms, and are limited to serving three terms for a maximum of six years in the state House. Members of the state House are currently paid $79,650 a year, plus $1,000 a month for office expenses. "I filed in mid-January for the seat," he said. "I said I wouldn't jump ship, and I don't want to betray my word." Moss notes that while his fund-raising efforts are going pretty well, he notices that money is much tighter this campaign cycle than others he has gone through. He said it makes him doubly grateful for anyone willing to invest in him. "If we listen, and don't mess up, and try to do what we say we will do, they might be willing to re-up our contracts," Moss said of Republican House incumbents. everal Oakland County commissioner seats will be filled by voters this year. County commissioners serve two-year terms and are currently paid $33,742. Commissioners will earn 5 percent less, or $32,055, beginning in 2011. It's still too early to predict the 2010 Oakland County commissioner races, according to Board Chairman Bullard. Currently, the commission, which totals 25 seats, has a one-seat Republican majority. In the 13th District, which covers the northeast corner of Bloomfield Township, incumbent Republican Robert Gosselin is being challenged by Democrat John E. Levin. "I served with Gosselin in the House, and I know the conservative values he stands for," Law said. Republican Incumbent Shelley Goodman Taub of the 16th District (Bloomfield Township), is "hard working," according to Bullard. She is a former state representative who was a county commissioner before serving in Lansing, and resumed her work for the county in 2008. Democrat Kathy Hagopian, a retailer (but not of the Hagopian carpet merchants), of West Bloomfield is running for the position, as is J. Andrew O'Connor. "I'm running again because there's more to be done — more roads to be paved, more budgets to be balanced, more people to be put to work,"

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Taub said. "I am a public servant. I enjoy what I do, and I'm good at it." he notes that while some aspects of the county are getting back to work, "it's still going to be difficult for the next few years. County government is going to need experience in government and in business, both of which I have." "I've been encouraged by many local residents to use my experience to help create jobs in Oakland County by running this year," Hagopian said. "As a small business owner, I believe I can bring needed experience and a fresh perspective on how we can create jobs and help grow our local economy." "I know both candidates," Law said. "I'd be surprised if Taub is not re-elected. She's done a good job." McGuinness said he feels Taub is vulnerable to being ousted by a Democrat, because not only is she in a Democrat-leaning district, but he says that some of the issues she takes up on the county board are not relevant for county commissioners, but for the state Legislature. "She's not addressing issues of substance that can improve the quality of life for county residents that commissioners can address. There's a disconnect," he said. In the 17th District, representing a portion of Bloomfield Township, incumbent Democrat Marcia Gershenson is facing a challenge from Republican Anne Marie Blake. Gershenson, running for her fourth term, said she isn't familiar with her opponent. "I always focus on my work," she said. "I run hard no matter who my opponent is." ershenson said she is running again because "we have started so many exciting programs, like micro-lending in the county, and the Healthy Oakland Partnership, which promotes urban farming and local produce. I've got my hands in a lot of exciting initiatives, and I want to see them through." "Gershenson is extremely hard-working, and she's a good lady, but she's basically in a Republican district," county board chairman Bullard said. "Will it being a Republican year bring out a decent opponent and give her a run for her money?" Incumbent Republican David Potts is running for his third term as the county's 20th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township) commission. Potts will have two opponents in the August GOP primary election — E. Lynne Risdon and David L. Wisz. Opposing the winner of the Republican primary will be Democrat Daniel J.K. Murray. Murray is a recent graduate of Andover High School. Potts, an attorney, said he has been in politics his entire adult life, running and managing political campaigns, being an advance man for former Gov. George Romney's presidential campaign in 1968, and was a press secretary for a Michigan congressional representative in Washington. "I participate in government because, as a practicing attorney, I provide for my family," he said. "I can offer my education and experience to my community. I'm a good representative to the community I represent." Potts said he is a fiscal conservative, especially with other people's money. "I call it stewardship," he said. "We're not out of this yet. We've got real issues coming at us in 2011 and 2012. It's important that we keep the county's rating (AAA)," he said. "It's important to maintain essential services. There's a lot of duplication and cross-polination in government, and we need to root it out." ■

Exodus of young, skilled talent poses concern for state needing revitalization By Brooke Meier and Lisa Brody

drienne Brown, 24, formerly of Bloomfield Township, is a project manager for an architecture firm in New York City, and can’t imagine ever returning to the Detroit area. “There are no young people I know there anymore, and the architecture and construction industry in the area is dead,” said the 2004 Cranbrook Kingwood High School and 2008 Wellesley College graduate. Brown, who will be attending the Yale School of Architecture in July, said she envisions ending up in New York or Washington D.C. She said she loves New York because there’s always something to do. “I like the cultural institutions — the museums, galleries, Lincoln Center, the parks,” she said. “On any given day, there are so many incredible things going on.” There have always been some college graduates and twenty-somethings who have sought fame, fortune, and fun in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Some planted roots in those cities, while others returned home, having satisfied their wanderlust. The former is now common enough to prompt concerns about a so-called “brain drain.” For the last decade, the state of Michigan has experienced an exodus of young talent made worse by high unemployment and a recession that some people compare to the Great Depression. Industries have been wiped out, leaving college graduates to wait tables, become baristas, and work as nannies while they wait for opportunity to knock. Instead of waiting, more and more young adults are fleeing the state, setting down roots, and taking their talents and skills away from an area that needs revitalization. Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, with their large base of highly-educated residents, have discovered they aren’t immune from the effects the “brain drain” is having on the region. Michigan Future, Inc., a non-partisan, non-profit organization that studies Michigan’s economy and how to attract, retain, and prepare talent, has released a report entitled “Young Talent in the Great Lakes: How Michigan is Faring,” stating college-educated adults of all ages are increasingly concentrating in the largest metropolitan areas of the country. Michigan holds true to that trend, according to the report. “Michigan’s young professionals are heavily concentrated in the largest counties in our state’s biggest metropolitan areas,” the report states. “In fact, the state’s four largest counties — Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Kent — are home to two ❯

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FOOTBALL LEGEND JOE MONTANA’S WINE ESTATE

HISTORIC 24 ACRES IN THE HEART OF HUNT COUNTRY

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thirds of Michigan’s young professional households.” According to Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future, Inc., a large, vibrant metropolitan area is key to attracting and retaining young talent. “Ultimately, the most prosperous places are the places where talent is concentrated,” he said. “I don’t like the term ‘brain drain’ — it’s more a loss of concentrated talent.” Glazer said the most popular regions in the country tend to be big metropolitan areas, or mid-size metropolitan areas with major research universities. “Metro Detroit, because it’s a big metro, has a chance to be one of those places,” Glazer said. “It’s just at the moment we aren’t. The central characteristic of those prosperous regions are that they retain a high proportion of their adults that have four-year degrees. In most of these big metros, it’s 30 to 45 percent retention — metro Detroit is at 27 percent.” Michigan Future’s report states: “All of our research has left us with a simple bottom line: Unless Michigan, compared to the country, gets younger and better educated, we will continue to get poorer. The gaps portrayed in the maps between high prosperity Great Lakes metropolitan areas and those of Michigan is the pre-eminent hurdle to building a high prosperity Michigan. For many Michiganians,

vibrant central cities are part of the past, no longer relevant, or just something you visit in unique places like Manhattan, Toronto or Chicago. Think again! They are an important ingredient to future economic success. The pattern across the country is clear: High prosperity metropolitan areas have central cities with a high concentration of knowledgeable workers — particularly the Millennials before they have children.” According to a recent survey of college graduates conducted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan State University, and Michigan Future, Inc., of 5,360 graduates of Michigan public universities between October 2007 and March 2008, 59 percent stated they were planning on leaving Michigan after graduation. That’s compared to 79 percent of non-Michigan residents attending college in the state who said they would leave. The survey states 17.73 percent of respondents move to Illinois, 10.67 percent relocate to California, and 8.21 percent move to New York. Others also relocate to Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington D.C. The top three reasons surveyed graduates said they left or are leaving Michigan are they couldn’t find a job or employer; cultural and social activities; and urban area. Arthur Horowitz, publisher of the Detroit

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Jewish News, said he is so concerned about the plight of lost young talent in the Jewish community that he and others have created the Southeastern Michigan Jewish Alliance, or SEMJA. “One of the primary needs for our community is to attract and retain our younger population, especially those in their 20s and 30,” Horowitz said. “What we encounter is a built-in negativity for what this region has to offer for economic opportunity, social opportunity, and overall quality of life. What we see here is that there are actually opportunities here, often better than in other areas of the country.” “The key to being prosperous is attracting concentrated talent,” Glazer said. “Because young talent is the most mobile, and that’s where this whole brain drain notion comes into play. If you aren’t attracting young talent, you have almost no chance of, over time, reversing or moving up (the ladder) in terms of concentrated talent. Without this concentrated talent you tend to have low income — that’s Metro Detroit’s problem, and Oakland County is a part of that.” Glazer said he thinks a lot of people in Oakland County believe that if the metro region falters they will still be OK. That thought, he said, is simply not true. “Within all metro areas there are certain communities where talent lives, like the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, but in terms of ❯

JUNE 2010

prosperity, even though you have areas of high education and talent, it doesn’t matter. What matters is the talent pool in the region, not the talent pool in particular cities or suburbs. A central city, like Detroit, matters because young talent is increasingly locating in central cities. There is a national change in demographics between cities and suburbs. The young, college-educated people are now moving into the cities and out of the suburbs — they call it reverse white flight — so Birmingham and Bloomfield are always going to be higher income than the rest of the region, but the question is how much higher. As long as the rest of metro Detroit is low-income, areas like Birmingham and Bloomfield will be lower income when compared to their counterparts in metro Chicago and metro Minneapolis.” According to a report by the University of Michigan’s Millennium Project, Michigan ranked 50th in the nation in personal income growth in 2008; 50th in unemployment rate; 50th in employment growth; 50th in the index of economic momentum; 50th in the change of its support for higher education over the past six years; and 46th in the return of federal tax dollars. In addition, Detroit has become the nation’s poorest city. Ken Darga, a state demographer, defines the “brain drain” as the movement of highly-educated people out of a particular geographic area. “One of the things often confusing to people, and that leaves a large number of areas and cities to believe they have a brain drain, is that young people with college degrees tend to be highly mobile,” he said. “The number of educated young people with college degrees leaving is high everywhere, but it’s often offset with a number of educated people moving in. The drain happens when you aren’t replacing those leaving with other educated people coming in.” Darga said southeast Michigan doesn’t have a chronic brain drain. “I would expect that there has been a brain drain, especially since Michigan was in a onestate recession during much of the past decade,” he said. “In the case of the Jewish community, over the past 20 years, the size of the community in the Detroit metro area shows we have lost about a third in size,” Horowitz said. “A recent demographic study showed that, far and away, the largest decrease is among people in their 20s and 30s. They’re not coming back. They are the future of the community. They are the people who send their kids to schools, join synagogues, and buy homes with their families. Without them, the vitality of the community will continue to decline.” Hy Safran graduated from Birmingham Groves in 2002, and left to study at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, from where he graduated in 2006. He moved back to the Detroit area in 2008, after working on President Barack Obama’s campaign, to work with U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (DBirmingham, Bloomfield) as a senior advisor. www.oaklandpaper.com

“I turned down a job in the White House to come back and help revive the local economy with Gary Peters,” Safran said. “Growing up here, you develop certain affinities, like the Tigers. My family has had strong ties with the Jewish and business communities for more than 100 years. I wanted to come back and continue the legacy.” With a busy and active career, Safran said he finds that a social life is what you make of it. “Oakland County is a pretty cool place to hang out for someone in their 20s,” he said. “It’s not a hassle to get downtown or to Ann Arbor. I’m a huge Tigers fan, and I go (to games) as often as I can, and in the fall, there’s (University of) Michigan football. There’s a lot in downtown Birmingham and Royal Oak. There’s a potential for a strong community, and I’m proud to be part of its rebirth.” According to Safran, southeastern Michigan is the high-tech and engineering capital of the country — which is what younger people excel in. “More of those jobs are coming here,” he said. “Young people need to come back here, and help revive the local economy. As a proud Detroiter, I want to retain and attract people of my own generation.” Neither the Birmingham nor the Bloomfield Hills school districts keep detailed records on their alumni. Betsy Erickson, director of communications and community relations for Bloomfield Hills Schools, said the district has Facebook pages where alumni can keep in touch. In addition, graduates have an option of signing up for email listserves, but there isn’t an accurate way to determine what percentage of graduates between the ages of 24 and 30 stay in the state. Carolyn Price, of the Academy of the Sacred Heart Alumnae/Alumni office, said the school keeps track of alumni, but doesn’t keep track of the number that have left the state or stayed following college graduation; although, anecdotally, she said she’s definitely noticed a “brain drain.” “I’m sure the economy has played a factor in the number of alumni that have relocated,” she said. Neither Cranbrook nor Detroit Country Day representatives returned calls for comment prior to press. Glazer said there are steps Michigan can take now to help reverse the effects of the “brain drain” and bring back concentrated talent to Detroit and its suburbs. The key to any positive growth, he said, is cooperation and collaboration between the city of Detroit and suburbs like those in Oakland County. “The suburbs have got to understand that having a vibrant Detroit matters,” he said. “If you look at places like Chicago and Minneapolis, you’ll see young professionals without kids locate to the city, and as they grow older and start families they move to the suburbs. All those kids from Birmingham and Bloomfield that move to Chicago after college THE PAPER

tend to stay there and raise their kids just outside the city. That’s why Detroit matters.” Ilyse Magy, who grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood High School in 2004 and Washington University in St. Louis in 2008, currently lives in San Francisco, working at the DeYoung Museum and as a freelance artist and urban gardener. “I try to think about what I would be doing in Detroit,” she said. “What’s so wonderful about San Francisco is that there’s so many projects evolving all of the time, and so many bright and creative people to hook up with. People are grateful to be here. Transportation is so key to young people in a city. San Francisco is a bikeable city. I think Detroit’s lack of public transportation is one reason why so many young people move away. It’s one key challenge to getting a vibrant, creative community, when everyone is spread apart ... Then you can have an intimate relationship with the city, which is lacking in Detroit. People in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco — you hear them talk about their cities like lovers.” Despite her new-found infatuation with San Francisco, Magy admits a part of her yearns to return to Detroit one day, where her family still lives. “If I move back, I feel like I would like to move to downtown (Detroit),” she said. “It’s the most amazing blank canvas we’ve ever had. It seems like an opportunity to transform what it means to be in a city, and to be part of a city. “I think we’ll see people trickling back,” she said. “We need people with different expertise, including activism and community organizing. There really is potential here.” Glazer said it could take 10 years for Detroit to start to see any kind of positive growth. “If we do the right things — and the right things are hard — and create a vibrant core in the city, it would probably take 10 years for us to start to see a turnaround, and that’s only if we do the right things,” he said. “This won’t happen overnight. If we continue on the same path as we have, we will continue to be poor compared to the rest of the country. What we need to do is reverse the trend. We can no longer have an economy based on high-paid factory workers.” Despite a grim past few years, Glazer said there are glimmers of hope and steps in the right direction. “There are a number of different things going on right now that could take things in the right direction,” he said. “We have the Intern in Michigan program, Wayne State University is trying to attract talent with their medical center, and there’s the talk of the transit system along Woodward. Those are the most positive signs I’ve seen. The larger challenge will be getting the city and suburbs to work together. They’ve got to understand that the strongest metros have strong central cities and strong suburbs — it isn’t either/or, it’s together, and we just aren’t there yet.” ■ 35

■ county Commissioners vote to hike phone charge for 911 By Lisa Brody The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has voted to increase the monthly telephone surcharge users pay by 5 cents per line, to help support 911 service. The lone dissenting vote was cast by Commissioner Robert Gosselin (RBloomfield Township), who said he doesn’t think telephone users should have to pay for the service. The resolution authorizes telephone companies providing both landline and wireless service in Oakland County to collect a surcharge of 23 cents per line each month for emergency services, for the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. The current surcharge is 18 cents per line. The surcharge is a user fee that helps pay for 911 emergency service within the county. Every phone line — both cellular and landlines — is included in the monthly collection. “There has been a long, very complicated history with this,” said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard

Jr. (R-Highland). “Years ago, people wanted to have an enhanced 911 system. The question was, how do you pay for it? State laws have changed regarding what can be charged. Originally, it was a surcharge only for landlines. Then a state law was passed to cover both landlines and cell phones.” Current Michigan law states that each spring, the county Board of Commissioners must review costs and rates, and adopt a telephone operating surcharge for the next 911 funding period, which is July 1 through June 30. Oakland County Deputy Executive Robert Daddow said the collection began about eight years ago when the county was initially constructing a wireless communications system for emergency services. Development of Oakland County’s system is almost complete. The monthly surcharge helps support call-taking equipment and operations. “It has been identified that (23 cents) is what it will cost to cover the costs of the radio system,” Daddow said. “In the old system, we had eight towers. Now, in the new system we have 36 towers to operate and maintain. There are currently 5,000 emergency system users.” ■

Meisner’s office part of foreclosure prevention effort By Lisa Brody Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner has launched the Oakland County Foreclosure Prevention Initiative, a partnership project between the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office, United Way, Lighthouse of Oakland County, Wayne County, and other public and non-profit organizations. The idea behind the Foreclosure Prevention Initiative is to provide assistance to homeowners, including financial counseling services, intervention with lenders, and assistance in negotiating possible settlements. The service is private, and free-ofcharge. No public funds are being used to support the program, according to Meisner. Citizens in danger of foreclosure can dial 211, the United Way’s information services phone number, or contact www.fightmortgageforeclosure/oaklandcounty.com at any time, and they will be contacted by a mortgage counselor within 24 hours. “There’s an embarrassment factor. People don’t want to show up someplace and get help because they don’t want to see their neighbor —

and they don’t want to be seen,” Meisner said. The initiative offers one-stop foreclosure and foreclosure prevention resources, do-it-yourself features, user-friendly online intake for convenience and efficiency, and continuous e-mail contact with the program. “It takes into account the barriers people have had with other programs,” Meisner said. The county Treasurer’s Office, and the partnership organizations, can bring lenders to the table for mortgage modification. The initiative provides a standardized intake process with organized workout packages for the counselors, and automatically communicates with homeowners on behalf of the counselor. Property owners in need will have a counselor perform a foreclosure status assessment and then assist in preparing an emergency budget and financial status assessment to determine if the family can afford to remain in the home. Then the lender will be contacted, a negotiated settlement will be commenced, and a settlement agreement will be reached with the lender. Meisner warned county property owners to not pay for programs offering foreclosure prevention services. “Don’t get scammed,” he said. “We’re offering this for free.” ■

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This gorgeous lakefront home is situated on a beautifully landscaped lot including paver porch and walkways, stone stairway, boulder seawall, and sandy beach. The delightfully remodeled home features over 3,000 sq. ft. of living space with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, hardwood flooring, 2 fireplaces, granite kitchen, master suite with glass rail deck providing stunning lake views and nicely finished walkout with kitchenette. Offered at $579,900. Call 248-366-7200 for a private viewing www.oaklandpaper.com

■ state Record auction brings NRTF to its $500 million cap By Brooke Meier An early May oil and gas lease auction involving state-owned parcels netted a record $178 million in bonus payments for the state — a large boon for Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF). The trust fund is a restricted fund established in 1976 to provide funding for the acquisition and development of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation. The funding is derived from royalties from the sale and lease of stateowned mineral rights. In 1985, Michigan voters chose to make the NRTF part of Michigan’s Constitution, ensuring the program’s future. The $178 million netted on Tuesday, May 4 is the largest amount ever earned in a state oil and gas lease auction, far exceeding the previous auction record of $23.6 million set in 1981. “To put the historic significance of this auction in perspective, since 1929, the state has collected a total of $190 million in bonus payments,” said Lynne Boyd, chief of the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s (DNRE) Forest Management Division. “In one day, we collected nearly as much as we have collected in 81 years.” The Forest Management Division administers the DNRE’s oil and gas program. Auctions are held a few times a year and the DNRE only auctions the rights to use approved parcels on state land. The department doesn’t lease any environmentally- or ecologically-sensitive parcels. Mary Dettloff, chief of the DNRE’s Office of Media and Communication, said last week’s record auction was driven by recent news of a successful natural gas test well in Missaukee County tapping into a formation known as the Utica Shale. Boyd said this mostly undeveloped formation exists throughout northern lower Michigan. During the May 4 auction, the average price paid per acre for lease was $1,507, compared to the recent average of $26 per acre. The highest bid was $5,500 per acre for a lease in Charlevoix County, according to Dettloff. A total of 118,117 acres in 22 counties across the state were leased through the May 4 auction. Dettloff said the record-breaking auction could mean the beginning of a gas and oil exploration boom in the state. DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries agreed. www.oaklandpaper.com

School election changes Even-year polling dates may be required By Lisa Brody

he state Senate has approved a bill requiring school districts to hold their regular elections for school board seats during evennumbered year November general elections or August primary elections. Senate Bill (SB) 751, introduced by state Sen. Cameron S. Brown (R-Fawn River) to save school districts money, was adopted by the Senate last week in a 32-6 vote. Under current Michigan law, an election must be held in February, May, August, or November. In 2003, changes to the Michigan Election Law permitted school districts to adopt a resolution to hold regular school board elections at the May regular election date in odd years, or in May both even and odd years; or at the November regular election date in both even and odd years. The law also permits a school district that holds its regular election in May to change its election date to coincide with the November election date, although many districts

“The future of oil and gas exploration in Michigan looks very bright,” Humphries said. “The wise use and management of our natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, will help lead Michigan’s economic recovery, create jobs and provide diversity for our state’s economy. The spin-off impact of the proposed exploration of the formation could provide a significant economic lift to many communities.” Now the challenge facing the DNRE is distributing the lease revenues based on what the Constitution allows. Dettloff explained that the $178 million from last week’s auction will endow the NRTF up to its cap, which is $500 million, and any excess must go into a state park endowment fund. While the influx of funds is good, Dettloff said parks across the state are still in need of more funding — they no longer receive any state general fund appropriations. “What happened at that auction was like the DNRE winning $178 million in the lottery, but we have $350 million in ‘bills’ that we have to pay,” she said. “This money is really going to help, but we have so many repair and maintenance proj-

across the state still hold their elections in May. With most school districts reeling from state funding cuts, holding school board elections in even-numbered year August or November elections would save districts money by placing school board races on regular primary or general election ballots. The bill would also allow a school district to hold its regular election on the odd-year general election date if one or more cities in the district that contained a majority of the district’s electors already conducts an odd-year general election. If the school board adopts the measure before March 30, 2011, the bill would permit a school district to continue to hold its regular election on the oddyear general election date. After March 30, 2011, a school district couldn’t change the date of its regular school board election. The bill has been forwarded to the state House Ethics and Elections Committee for consideration. ■ ects at parks throughout the state that it’s important to keep things in perspective.” Under current provisions of the state’s Constitution, NRTF monies can only be spent on land acquisition for recreational uses or protection of land because of its environmental importance or its scenic beauty; the development of public recreation facilities; and the administration of the trust fund, which may include payments in lieu of taxes on stateowned land purchased through the trust fund. Not more than a third of trust fund revenues received during each fiscal year can be spent during the subsequent fiscal year. ■

Legislature adopts retirement reforms for state teachers By Lisa Brody In an effort to help Michigan school districts resolve teacher staffing and budget issues before the beginning of their 2010-11 fiscal year on July 1, the state House of Representatives and Senate voted Friday, May 14 to adopt tie-barred bills enacting amendments to the

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public school employee retirement system. Senate Bill (SB) 1227 and House Bill (HB) 4073 allow older, more expensive, tenured teachers to retire early, freeing administrators to hire younger, less expensive teachers for the fall. It’s expected that the legislation will save school districts $680 million, according to state estimates. The bills would would enact numerous amendments to the Michigan Public Schools Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS), including increased employee contributions; capped years of service in a defined benefit plan and transfers to a new defined contribution plan after 30 years of service; a new hybrid pension plan for employees hired after Oct. 1, 2010; and phased retirement options for members retiring after Oct. 1, 2010. Charter school employees would not be be required to join MPSERS. Educators with a combined age and years of service totaling 80, as of Aug. 31, 2010, will be eligible to retire with their full benefits if they retire between June 15 and Oct. 1, 2010. The bill would provide a 1.7 percent multiplier to a person’s pension if they retire between June 15 and July 1; and a 1.6 percent multiplier if they retire between July 1 and Oct. 1. Those that don’t retire, but were hired before Jan. 1, 1990, will have to pay 3.9 percent of their salary toward their retirement benefits. If they were hired between Jan. 1, 1990 and July 1, 2008, they will pay $510 annually, plus 4.3 percent of their salary above $15,000; and those teachers hired after July 1, 2008 will pay $510 a year plus 6.4 percent of their salary above $15,000. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2010 would be placed in a new “hybrid” pension plan, which would be a blending of defined benefits and defined contribution components. These new employees won’t be able to receive pension payments until they turn 60, and would be required to have worked at least 10 years as a public school employee to be part of the plan. Purchase of service credits, formerly a popular option to get closer to pensions at an earlier age, would be prohibited, and the employee would have to contribute $510 annually, plus 7.3 percent of salary above $15,000. In the Senate, the vote to approve the bills was 21 to 14, with all Republican senators, including Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield) voting in support of the legislation. In the state House, the vote was 56 to 45, with Rep. Chuck Moss (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) voting in favor of the bills. ■ 37

Upper Long Lake Lakefront

Bloomfield Hills All-Sports Lakefront

City of Bloomfield Hills

Orchard Lake Newer Construction

Executive custom contemporary. Almost 27,000 sq. ft. of recreational living including pool and sports court. Sophisticated owners suite wing. $4,999,000

Grandeur exists in this almost 17,000 sq. ft. estate home. Over 2 acres of privacy. Guest house. Exquisite rec room walkout with media center. Five car garage. $4,499,000

Adjacent to Cranbrook Educational Community. Newer construction. Bedroom suites, gracious floor plan. Seven fireplaces, 4 car garage. Finished lower level. $1,995,000

With almost 9,000 sq. ft. of living on all 4 floors. Six plus bedrooms. Finished walkout with second kitchen. Sunset views. Bloomfield Hills schools. $1,987,000

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Orchard Lake Lakefront

Newer Construction in Birmingham

Newer construction. European style kitchen opens to family room, Butler’s pantry that leads to dining room. Five bedrooms. Library. Exquisite! $1,390,000

Large executive home with hardwood floors throughout. Kitchen opens to family room. Formal library. Finished walkout lower level rec $1,329,000 room with bar and pool.

Soft contemporary on over one acre of manicured grounds. This walkout setting is ideal for today’s living or a perfect spot to build your dream house. $1,200,000

With quality appointments and sophisticated details. Exceptional master suite. Finished lower level. Fit and finish decor. $1,190,000

Custom Newer Construction in Bloomfield Hills

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Private Gated Estate Community

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Walking distance to Andover High School. Over 9,000 sq. ft. of living with walkout. Seven bedrooms. Four car garage. Upper Long Lake out lot access. $999,000

With 5 bedroom and baths. Finished lower level with theater, craft and recreation room. Three car garage. Bloomfield schools. $995,000

New on market. Custom built with almost 6,000 sq. ft. of living. Finished lower level with full kitchen. Four car garage. Designed for entertaining. $995,000

One of Oakland County’s most scenic, in-town locations. Water and sewer at road. West Bloomfield schools. New lower price. $979,000

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All-Sports Upper Straits Lakefront

Lower Long Lake Lakefront

One of the Hills of Oakland’s Finest

South shore lakefront. Updated ranch with finished walkout lower level leads to patios and fire pit. Casual lakefront living and sandy bottom. $895,000

With fully finished walkout lower level. Situated in the City of Orchard Lake. Private dead end street location with southern views. $890,000

With views of Kirk in the Hills. Tucked away on 1.1 acres of rolling grounds. Soft contemporary with open floor plan. Bloomfield Hills schools. $849,900

Updated granite kitchen leads to two story family room. Formal dining room, living room and library. Lower level with exercise room, fifth bedroom, bar, billiard. $849,000

Bloomfield Township Mid-Century Modern

All-Sports Lake Waterfront Newer Construction

Pine Lake Lakefront

Birmingham Designer Home

With updated granite kitchen. Floor to ceiling windows create spectacular views. Master wing with new marble bath, fireplace, and access to grounds. $789,000

Peninsula setting. Sunrise and sunset views. Two story great room with stone fireplace opens to kitchen. Large master suite with $599,000 oversized walk-in closet.

Condo with boat docking and boat house facilities. Three levels of casual living. All floors open to exterior. Incredible views of pond, $575,000 nature trail and waterfront.

From this designer perfect residence. Kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Second floor laundry. Finished lower level with full bath and bedroom. $529,000

KATHYBROOCKHOMES..COM

Bloomfield Hills Masterpiece

Orchard Lake Lakefront

City of Bloomfield Hills

Pine Lake Lakefront

Look no further for that newer construction, custom designed, classic home. Dual owners suites. 4 car garage. Finished lower level with rec, media, bar and exercise rooms. $1,698,700

Lou DesRosier ranch style contemporary with walkout lower level. A visual masterpiece. Water views from every room. An entertainers dream. $1,690,000

Country estate with golf course views. Two separate entrance in-law/nanny suites. Private street. Five car garage. Indoor pool. Entertainer’s dream. $1,499,000

In the Interlaken community. Almost 3/4 acre site with 100 ft. of lakefront. Expansive views of lake. Adjacent to Pine Lake Country Club. Bloomfield Hills schools. $1,397,000

Newer Construction in Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Hills Soft Contemporary Waterfront

Walk to Downtown Northville

Quarton Lake Landmark Home

On over 2 acres with private pond. Large kitchen opens to family room with service staircase to second floor. Large bedrooms with baths. Finished lower level. $1,179,000

Tranquil water views from every room. Large kitchen with family room and atrium sitting area. Finished walkout lower level with bar and guest suite. $1,149,000

Perched above 25 acre nature preserve on private street. Like new with Old World Craftsmanship and contemporary conveniences. Finished walkout lower level $1,099,000

New on the market situated on an almost double lot. Classic design with contemporary conveniences. Kitchen opens to family room. Three car garage. $1,095,000

Quarton Lake Colonial

Newer Bloomfield Hills Construction

With almost 5,000 sq. ft. of casual living and open floor plan. Oversized lot with gardens and recreation space. Luxurious master suite. $919,000

Two story great room opens to kitchen. First floor master suite and office wing. All bedrooms with baths. Exercise room. Finished lower level $899,000 with bath and kitchen.

Classic Bloomfield Hills Estate Home

Orchard Lake Lakefront

On almost 2 acres. Completely remodeled in 2005. Elegant yet incorporating today’s contemporary conveniences. Five plus car $799,000 garage.

Never on market. Condo alternative living. Partial furnished. Completely updated. Finished lower level. Four car garage. One plus acre. $795,000

Like New Bloomfield Hills Colonial

Serene Setting in West Bloomfield

Everything remodeled. New Euro granite kitchen opens for 2 story family room. State-ofthe-art materials. Finished lower level. 3 car garage. Won’t last! $519,000

Backing to nature preserve. Kitchen opens to 2 story family room. Open flow and airy spaces. Formal library. Finished lower level. 3 car garage. $489,000

K A T H Y B R O O C K BALLARD 248.318.4504

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MAX BROOCK REALTORS 275 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009

■ education District, Callow heirs enter pact on Pine Lake school By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Hills School District has entered into a settlement agreement with the heirs of the Mae Callow estate that will free the district to use the former Pine Lake Elementary School property within the confines of the Michigan School Code. The agreement comes following an ambiguous Michigan Court of Appeals decision released in March, potentially ending a legal battle over the school district’s closure of the elementary school to local students. The building is being leased to the Waterford School District for the 2009-10 school year for $250,000, so students from Waterford Kingsley-Montgomery School can attend classes at Pine Lake Elementary while KingsleyMontgomery undergoes renovations. In September, amid court battles over the district’s closing of the Pine Lake school to local students, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the KingsleyMontgomery students to stay at Pine Lake Elementary. Kindergarten through third-grade students from the west side of the

Bloomfield Hills district are now attending Lone Pine Elementary. Students in the fourth- and fifthgrade are attending school at West Hills Middle School. The Pine Lake Elementary School property was originally donated to the school district in 1955 by Mae Callow, with a stipulation that the land be used only as a school for Bloomfield students. With a charitable trust in place for the property, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren ruled that the leasing of the property to the Waterford School District and transfer of Bloomfield Hills students to other schools was a breach of the charitable trust. While the school district argued that the property was originally sold by Callow to the district for $18,000, it was decided that the property was given to the district for $1, according to Terrence Hall, an attorney for the parents of Bloomfield Hills students who challenged the district’s plan to close Pine Lake Elementary School. Following the lower court decision, an appeal was filed and an emergency stay was granted to keep Kingsley-Montgomery students at Pine Lake Elementary. In March, the Court of Appeals issued a decision that will keep the building functioning as a school, but widened the scope with which the

Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education can determine which students attend the school. The new agreement clears up any ambiguity in the Court of Appeals decision, according to Betsy Erickson, director of communications and community relations for the Bloomfield Hills School District. Under the agreement, the three Callow grandsons will receive $40,000 from the district now, and 5 percent of the sale price of the 11.72acre property if and when it’s sold by the district — all contingent upon no further court action by the plaintiffs and the Michigan Attorney General. “The unclear portion of the appeals court decision was its interpretation of the Callow deed as granting a ‘determinable and qualified fee,’” Erickson said. “That language suggested a reverter right to the heirs, which the district now owns by way of this agreement.” The agreement also stipulates that any future development of the Pine Lake Elementary School property would require the land to be named “Callow Farms,” and the Callow bell tower to be located in an area consistent with the district’s agreement with the Callow grandsons. “Bloomfield Hills Schools will maintain full discretion on what, if any, portions of the property to sell, to whom, and when,” Erickson said. “The district also retains full and exclusive rights on the disposition of the building located there.” Erickson added that the district has no plans to sell the property in the foreseeable future, but wanted flexibility so as not to tie the hands of future Boards of Education. ■

Bloomfield board OK's three-year pact with Glass By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education has unanimously approved a three-year agreement with Robert Glass, who was offered the district's superintendent job in mid-April following an extensive interview process. Glass will replace Steven Gaynor when he retires in June. Gaynor served as the Bloomfield Hills superintendent for the last eight years. Glass' employment will begin on July 1, 2010, according to Betsy Erickson, director of communications and community relations for the school district. According to the agreement, Glass will receive an initial salary of $180,000 a year, with a retirement annuity contribution of $12,000 and health care coverage equivalent to the administrative staff plan. The contract will be in effect for three years, with compensation tied to satisfactory annual performance evaluations by the school board, Erickson said. 40

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"We are delighted to welcome our new superintendent and look forward to his leadership as we continue to execute our 10-year strategic plan," said Board of Education President Martin Brook. Glass will be leaving his position as superintendent of Dexter Schools, where has has served for the last two years. Glass was one of two final candidates for the job, along with Michael Simeck. Glass and Simeck were among four candidates presented to the school board in March by School Exec Connect, a search firm hired by the district, based upon a profile the firm developed. The profile, which was based on input provided by community focus groups and an online survey, called for the new superintendent to be a collaborative consensus builder with excellent communication and listening skills who can build community trust; to possess decisiveness and resiliency; to provide visionary educational leadership, strategic thinking, fiscal management skills, and unquestionable integrity. Glass was selected for the position following a meeting with community members, where both Glass and Simeck answered questions from the public as part of their second interview. The community event took place over the span of two days, with each candidate getting an opportunity to impress the Bloomfield Hills Schools community. Prior to his position in Dexter, Glass was executive director of instruction for the Birmingham Public Schools and principal at the Quarton School in Birmingham. He has been an elementary principal in Suttons Bay, Mich. and Vestaburg Community Schools in Vestaburg, Mich., as well as an elementary teacher in Hale, Mich. According to Erickson, Glass was the director of operations on a fellowship in India to manage orphanages, vocational schools and health services for children, the elderly and impoverished. Glass began his teaching career as principal and teacher at Calvary Christian School and director of the Royal Oak Child Care Center in Royal Oak, following five years in Birmingham managing the district's production studio. Glass is currently completing a doctorate program in educational leadership at Oakland University. He received the 2008 AASA Worth McClure Educational Administration Scholarship, awarded nationally to six outstanding graduate students in school administration. He has master's degrees in educational administration from Central Michigan University, and in teaching from Wayne State University, in addition to a bachelor's degree in telecommunication from Michigan State University. Glass is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com

■ snapshot

douglas bloom

ge is just a number to 71-year-old Douglas Bloom, who proudly dedicates 1,800-square-feet of his custom Birmingham home - the entire lower level - to his model train collection. "It's comprised of nine separated, operating trains, and I'm not finished," he said. "I'm not sure when I'll ever be finished — maybe never." Bloom was 8- or 9-years-old when he acquired a love for locomotives. With friends who had model trains, he quickly wanted to begin his own collection, but his parents didn’t believe he was quite mature enough to appreciate it. "I woke up on my 13th birthday and said, 'I want a train,'" he said. "I got my first train at Ned's Auto Supply in Detroit, and (the collection) grew and grew and grew." It wasn't until Bloom went off to pursue a degree in business administration at the University of Michigan that he decided to temporarily put his hobby on hold. "When I went off to college, my mother said she wanted her basement back, and I gave my trains to an orphanage," he said. "I went away for the summer and they were packed away and gone.” But Bloom's interest in trains couldn't be suppressed for long. What

began as a childhood hobby turned into a lifelong passion. What some may think of as a mid-life turning point, returning to collecting and building model trains, keeps him young. Now, with his vast collection, Bloom employs contractor Tom Ferber (above right), who once owned a model hobby train store in Royal Oak, to assist him with the building and upkeep of his trains. "He works on my train, my wife's dollhouse, and does general handyman work around the house," Bloom said. Bloom, who has been married for almost 32 years, isn't overly protective of his collection. "When family comes to the house, they want to see the trains," he said. "Some of the buildings, barges and forts have the kid's names on them. My grandchildren are exceptionally good about it. It's a hobby to be enjoyed, not a museum." As a Birmingham resident for 40 years, Bloom said he's very involved in the Jewish community. And while he enjoys going to the city for dinner from time to time, he's quite content to spend most days at home working on his trains, just as he did when he was 13-years-old. — Katey Meisner — The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard

■ transportation

Two al Addition ed Add Shows & 17! June 10

The reconstruction of Telegraph Road through Southfield, Bingham Farms, Franklin and Bloomfield Township is expected to continue through November, and perhaps into December. (The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Telegraph Road project causing traffic backups By Leslie Shepard-Owsley The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in the hot seat now that efforts have begun to repair Telegraph Road from south of the Oakland County border to Orchard Lake Road. Motorists are experiencing milelong backups along the roadway, which is a main traffic conduit in the region. The problem is that the multi-phase project won’t be ending any time soon. It’s anticipated to wrap up sometime in November or December. MDOT is investing approximately $52 million in Oakland County to make extensive repairs to 16 miles of pavement along US-24 (Telegraph Road). The project limits are between 8 Mile Road and Orchard Lake Road, stretching through Southfield, Bingham Farms, Franklin and Bloomfield Township. The improvements are separated into three projects, with work beginning in late March and ending in December. “The question I’m asked the most is why do so much at one time?” said MDOT Spokesperson Rob Morosi. “It’s a heavy business corridor. But if we did one project in three consecutive years there would be much more impact on business owners. This way we get it all done 42

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and over with in one year.” The first resurfacing project impacts the stretch of Telegraph Road between 8 Mile and I-696, and began in late March. Both northbound and southbound lanes will be enhanced during the project. The second project will take the longest to complete. It involves reconstructing northbound and southbound lanes between I-696 and Long Lake Road. “We’ll be breaking them down from southbound Long Lake to Maple and then do northbound 12 to Maple so we’re not working right across from one another,” Morosi said. “We did a shift and built temporary pavement near the median to retain two lanes. We’re improving drainage while rebuilding the road.” The last phase of the project will reconstruct the stretch between Square Lake and Orchard Lake roads. “The two lanes going north are open and a single lane is closed on the southbound side for utility and storm sewer work,” Morosi said. “We’re not seeing as many delays as on the Long Lake section.” Both of the latter phases began on April 12. They are slated to be completed by December, but that’s a worst-case scenario. “The second project will take that long but the other segments could finish up in November,” Morosi said. “Right now they are making storm sewer upgrades and making assessments by mid-May, but we’ll be hitting it in hard in both directions simultaneously thereafter.” ■ www.oaklandpaper.com

■ business notes The American Red Cross has moved to 4190 Telegraph Road, Suite 1200, from 1605 S. Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township. “We wanted a more convenient location,” said Bridget Tuohey, communications manager for American Red Cross Blood Services. “The old address was in an awkward spot; it was hard to see and didn’t have a lot of parking. The new location is more visible, easier to get to and has a lot of parking.” Tuohey said they wanted to remain in the same vicinity, but were looking for ways to make donating blood more convenient. “As we move toward the summer, it becomes more difficult to collect,” she said. “But, every donation can save up to three lives and the whole process, including a health history, takes less than one hour.” To make an appointment for blood donation, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross, or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org to set up an appointment. ■ Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel (CBWM), at 298 S. Old Woodward in Birmingham, has announced Tina Eick as the new chief financial officer (CFO). “I’ve lived in the Bloomfield/Birmingham area for 15 years, and I was well aware of their reputation as a dynamic company,” Eick said. “I wasn’t really looking (for a new position), but it was the right opportunity.” Coming from Peter A. Basile Sons Inc. in Livonia, where she was employed for 14 years, Eick said she is excited to roll up her sleeves and delve in as CFO. “Right now, I’m overseeing the a c c o u n t i n g department and making sure the conversion is Tina Eick smooth,” she said. “Going forward, I’m looking for ways to be more cost-efficient and to avoid duplication of work or efforts.” Eick said the outlook for CBWM is positive and the company is always looking for ways to be more competitive and successful. “Tina brings with her a strong background, including more than 20 years experience as an accountant and controller,” said Kelly Sweeney, CBWM’s CEO. “Her expertise will be invaluable to CBWM and will help us execute our growth strategy going forward.” Eick lives in Birmingham with her husband and two daughters, who attend Quarton Elementary School in Birmingham. “My husband grew up in Birmingham and we are pretty involved in the community.” Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel was founded in 1950 and has more than 400 real estate agents in southeastern Michigan. ■ Best Buy has recently moved to 2169 S. Telegraph in Bloomfield Township, from 2220 Mall Drive East in Waterford. “Bloomfield is a great community, it’s got a great business section and we felt we could bring value to the community,” said General Manager www.oaklandpaper.com

Matthew Bartnik. After 17 years at the Waterford location, Bartnik said Best Buy has built outstanding relationships in the area. He said he hopes to bring loyal customers from Waterford and build new relationships at the Bloomfield Hills location. “We are a major electronic company; but in reality, we specialize in taking care of our customers,” he said. “Whether you come in for a CD or something more, you will get great service and build strong relationships with the sales associates.” While Bartnik said Best Buy is bringing sales associates from the Waterford location, they have also hired many new associates from the Bloomfield area. “I think that it’s important that everyone knows that

we’re very excited to be a part of this community,” he said. “We’re not just this big retail box in the community; we really like to get involved and give back. We don’t just open the doors and have people come in to shop; we want to be a part of things.” ■ Siddharth International Foods has recently opened at 1595 Opdyke Road in Bloomfield Township and is bringing foods from around the globe to nearby residents. “We’re starting with foods from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Middle Eastern countries, and are going to be introducing more Chinese spices and Middle Eastern products in the future,” said Prakash Kundal, father of owner Deepak Kundal. “We have some prepared foods, frozen foods, ready-to-eat bagged items, condiments, tea, juices and cookies.” The new grocery store is a first for the Kundals. “There was a need for this type of store in the area,” he said. “There are a lot of people in the area who like this kind of food.” Kundal said that the new family-owned business is already getting great feedback. “People are coming in and spreading the news to family and friends,” he said. Kundal, originally from India, came to the U.S. in 1991, and said he’s excited to bring diverse grocery items to Bloomfield Township. Shoppers of all different ethnic backgrounds enjoy the international foods at Siddharth, according to Kundal. “Everyone is eager to come to our store.” ■ A new Kumon Learning Center has recently opened at 43183 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, and a grand opening is planned for June 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. “There will be refreshments, activities and parents will be able to schedule their children for free placement testing,” said Rasheda Williams, regional public relations representative. “The program is open to students from preschool to high school; we’ve even had some college students

in the program.” Founded in 1958 in Japan, the center is located in the Kingswood shopping plaza and offers students the opportunity to develop strong study skills in reading and math. “There are Kumon Centers in 46 countries worldwide, but we continue to grow in that area. In fact, Oakland County is where we have the highest concentration of Kumon Centers.” With a Master of Science degree in engineering and two children of his own, Bloomfield Hills instructor Ron Penn said he’s looking to bring his experience as a Kumon veteran to the new center. “We unlock every child’s potential,” he said. Penn and his wife, Sue, also run Kumon Centers out of Shelby Township and Macomb Township. ■ Birmingham Barbers, located at 725 S. Adams Roard, is celebrating its 45th year as a part of the Adams Square landscape in Birmingham. “My mom started bringing me to the barber shop at age 4,” said owner Larry Farhat. “When I was a kid, I used to sweep the floors around here.” Farhat’s father, Jim, owned the barbershop before him, but he didn’t always know he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I was a registered X-ray technician and then I decided to go to barber school,” he said.

“I didn’t tell my dad until I was halfway done.” Father and son worked together for about 15 years before Jim retired and Larry took the reins. “We’ve been here so long now, we’re a fixture,” he said. “Between the other businesses in Adams Square, we’re like a family.” Not much has changed since the barbershop opened 45 years ago, according to Farhat. “It’s about consistency.” Birmingham Barbers offers hair services to men, women and children. According to Farhat, business has stayed steady throughout the years. “Getting your hair cut is like getting groceries; it’s basic and you need it all the time,” he said. “Our hope is that the business continues for a long, long time.” Birmingham Barbers has a staff of six licensed barbers. ■ DSM Engineering Plastics has quietly moved their headquarters from Southfield to 735 Forest Ave. in Birmingham. “Given our corporate drive in supporting a greener planet, the move of our North American headquarters into the sustainable green building at 735 Forest Ave. was paramount in our decision,” said Koen

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Devits, president. A key reason for the move from Southfield is the Silver LEED certification the building is going through. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of quality engineering thermoplastics, Koen said DSM is driven to create a better life through fresh ideas, innovative products and sustainable solutions. “Our innovations include a bio-based, high-performance engineering plastic, EcoPaXX™, that is 100 percent carbon neutral from cradle to gate, reducing hazardous material, enhancing recyclability of our products, and creating eco-efficiency through extended life cycle reuse of existing products. We not only say, ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle,’ we live it out as a corporate mission.” Though Koen said most people have likely never heard of DSM Engineering Plastics, they are part of most American’s daily lives. Creating sustainable solutions by engineering green materials, DSM replaces metal with lighter, fuel-efficient reduced emissions, halogen-free materials, and they drive innovation in electronics, automotive and packaging. Through new investments and acquisitions, Koen said the business is expanding and rapidly growing in North and South America. “We focus on continued growth and expansion into various multi-industry segments.” ■ O’Keefe and Associates, a transactional financial consulting and turnaround management firm at 2 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills, has announced that director Meagan Hardcastle has been awarded the professional designation of Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP). A member of the O’Keefe & Associates team since 2006, Hardcastle provides transactional finance and turnaround management counsel to middle market companies in Michigan and throughout the nation. “The CTP designation is the industry’s most recognized certification of experienced and skilled turnaround professionals,” said Michael Feder, CTP. “It’s a mark of distinction for professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to the corporate renewal industry and to a high standard of excellence and integrity.” The CTP designation provides an objective measure and recognition of expertise related to workouts, restructurings and corporate renewal. Applicants must meet specific standards of education, experience, and professional conduct. Hardcastle earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business with concentrations in finance and strategic management. She is also a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Wayne State University’s Business School with a Bachelor of Science degree in corporate finance and investment finance. Business items from the BirminghamBoomfield community are reported by Katey Meisner. E-mails to kateymeisner@thescngroup.com must be received three weeks pior to publication. 43

■ eating out The Eating Out directory for The Paper is just that, a guide to dining establishments where patrons can go to eat. Many, if not most, of these eateries also allow for takeout orders. If an establishment serves beer(B), wine(W) or liquor (L), the listing indicates such. Likewise, if breakfast (B), lunch (L) or dinner (D) is served, we indicate by code and then the days it is offered. 220: A one-of-a-kind Birmingham restaurant specializing in steaks and fresh seafood with an Italian flair, complemented by a fine selection of distinguished American, Italian and global wines. Located in the historic Edison Building in the heart of downtown Birmingham. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.2150. Akshay Indian Cuisine: Featuring Indo Chinese, South Indian, Northern Indian and Tandoori (Clay Oven) dishes. Spicy flavors compliment the relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Reasonable pricing makes Akshay Indian Cuisine a local favorite. L & D, Tuesday Sunday. 1615 S. Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.858.2315. Andiamo: Andiamo’s offers Northern Italian decor amid a chic dining spot. A favorite among many area celebrities. Featuring traditional Italian dishes in an elegant dining room or live music in the lounge. An extensive wine list and selection of desserts. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. Beau Jacks: Known for its superior whitefish and popular salads, Beau Jacks offers certified black angus beef as well as vegetarian and heartconscious items. The menu features chili, onion loaf, baked spinach and artichoke dip, croissants and wraps. B, W, L. L, Monday-Saturday; D, daily. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630. Beyond Juice: Offering Meal-in-a-Cup creations, sandwiches and a variety of desserts. Greek, seasoned chicken, tuna and garden salads also available, along with homemade Belgian waffles and jumbo muffins. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Saturday. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078. Big Boy: Big Boy features its classic diner burgers, breakfast specials and popular dessert menu. With its famous Big Boy sandwich and soup and salad bar, its a hometown diner for the whole family. B, L & D, daily. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.642.0717. Big Rock Chophouse: Big Rock Chophouse’s 4-star, award-winning menu offers flavorful recipes centered around enormous, hand-cut aged steaks, lamb chops and fresh seafood. Featuring an on-site brew house, the restaurant also boasts an extensive wine cellar, complete with more than 400 fine wine and champagne selections. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 245 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774. Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Featuring Japanese and American fusion-style fare, the cafe specializes in sushi, beef teriyaki, bibimbap and some kobe beef. The atmosphere is a relaxing, familystyle environment. L & D, daily. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. Birmingham Tower Deli: Gourmet delicatessen located in downtown Birmingham features Boars Head meats and cheeses, soups, salads, burgers and pizza. Catering available. B, L & D, Monday-Friday. 280 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Ste. 105, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9730.

Bloomfield Deli: With a large selection of sandwiches and wraps, Bloomfield Deli also offers several different varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled chicken wraps and breakfast sandwiches. Also offering fresh salads and a salad bar with 20 different vegetables and fruits. B & L, Monday-Friday. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. Boston Market: Features sirloin, beef brisket, turkey, meatloaf and rotisserie chicken. Boston Market offers soup, steamed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and casseroles to pair with a main dish. L & D, daily. 42983 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.334.5559. Brandy’s Steakhouse: A cozy ambiance, private dining room and traditional dishes can be expected at Brandy’s. Offering salads, seafood, pastas and Brandy’s signature steaks. B,W,L. L, Monday-Saturday; D, daily. 1727 South Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.338.4300. Breakaway Deli: Breakaway Deli features a variety of house sandwiches as well as a meatfree zone for vegetarians. B & L, MondaySaturday; D, Monday-Friday. 71 West Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.642.2900. Brooklyn Pizza: Brooklyn Pizza features New York-style pizza by the slice, homemade cookies and ice cream. L & D, daily. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. Cafe Via: A high-end downtown eatery featuring an elegant setting as well as a patio courtyard. Grilled salmon, roasted chicken, crabcakes and lambchops are some favorites at Cafe Via. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8800. Cameron’s Steakhouse: Featuring dry aged and prime steak with an impressive wine list. Cameron’s is a classic steakhouse. B, W, L. D, daily. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700. Chen Chow Brasserie: The decor and menu selection at Chen Chow Brasserie create a most elegant dining experience. Main courses include Pan Seared Tofu, Tamarind Glazed Salmon, Miso Sea Bass, Steamed Halibut, Dashi & Udon and more. Extensive wine list. B, W, L. D, daily. 260 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.2469. China Village: A warm environment featuring China Village’s famous sesame and General Tso’s Chicken. L & D daily. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221. Cityscape Deli: Cityscape offers homemade soups and a wide variety of custom carved sandwiches, pasta salads, bean and couscous and Hungarian beef goulash. Homemade healthy sides compliment fresh deli sandwiches. B, L & D, Monday-Saturday. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Cosi: With a signature flatbread, sandwiches, melts, soups, salads and a kids menu, Cosi offers options for all diners. B, W. B, L & D daily. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200. Crust: An upscale restaurant, with an open kitchen and dining room decor with natural wood elements. Full menu includes Neapolitan, thin crust pizzas, salads, sandwiches and small plates. B, W, L. L and D, daily. 6622 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.855.5855. Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: A menu featuring eight different deli sandwiches and an

extensive breakfast menu. B & L, daily. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923 Dick O’Dow’s: Offering Irish classics and home cooking, including stuffed chicken, wild Irish salmon and, of course, shepherd’s pie. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Featuring a huge assortment of bagels, sandwiches and specialty coffees. B & L, daily. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Lebanese dishes from stuffed grape leaves to taboulee and humus. B, W, L. L & D, Monday Saturday. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Pita sandwiches, soups, burgers, hot dogs and melts available. An extensive breakfast menu includes egg specials, breakfast roll-ups, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches and sides. B &L, daily. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Forest Grill: Forest Grill’s seasonal menu showcases house-made charcuterie, raw bar, clay oven-baked pizzas and traditional bistro dishes. Influenced by French, Italian and contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on simplicity and flavor. Extensive wine list, including a number of regional wines from boutique vinters and Michigan vineyards. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, Monday-Saturday. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400. Forte Restaurant: With beautiful decor and lavish cuisine, Forte offers a complete dining experience, including an extensive wine list. Renowned chefs present a complete breakfast menu as well. B, W, L. B, L & D, daily. 201 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7300. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: An American steakhouse with a contemporary flair featuring aged prime beef, market fresh seafood and an award-winning wine list. B, W, L & D, daily. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Fuddrucker’s: With simple recipes and madefrom-scratch buns, Fuddrucker’s offers burgers, chicken, fish, salad, and a kids menu. B, W. L & D, daily. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Featuring sandwiches, salads and Coney Island classics. Breakfast is available anytime. B, L & D, daily. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Hogan’s Restaurant: Casual atmosphere and homemade fare, Hogan’s offers steak, seafood, burgers, a vegetarian and children’s menu. A tavern-type environment is also available to patrons. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.1800. Hunter House Hamburgers: Featuring high quality, gourmet hamburgers. Recently voted Number One Burger in Michigan by Food Network Magazine and “20 Burgers You Must Eat Right Now” in June 2009 Gourmet Magazine. B, Monday-Saturday; L & D daily. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121. IHOP: From creatively flavored pancakes to steaks, sandwiches and salads, IHOP is best known for its breakfast fare. B, L & D, daily.

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2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.333.7522. Kerby’s Koney Island: Kerby’s offers a special chili recipe, lean meats and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties. B, L, & D, daily. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills. 248.333.1166. Kirk’s Open Pit Bar B Que: Serving barbecue ribs that are slow cooked and covered in a smoky sauce, Kirk’s also offers barbeque and broasted chicken, seafood, homemade macaroni and cheese, peach and apple cobbler, and sweet potato pies. B, L & D, Tuesday- Sunday. 33766 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7010. Leo’s Coney Island: Greek specialties, burgers and coneys are offered along with omelettes, breakfast specials, soups and salads. B, L & D, daily. 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301 (248.646.8568) and at 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.8568. Little Daddy’s Parthenon: Featuring Greek fare, like hand-carved gyros, Little Daddy’s Parthenon offers oven roasted turkey, gourmet sandwiches and house-made food. B, L & D, daily. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.647.3400. Max & Erma’s: Features a family-friendly environment with a variety of burgers, an assortment of salads and a signature tortilla soup, plus steaks, ribs and fajitas. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.1188. Mirage Cafe: Mediterranean fare with healthy options and menu items made fresh daily. Among customer favorites are the chicken lemon rice and lentil soup, chicken shawarma and chicken cream chop. The cafe also offers Caribou Coffee, smoothies and an assortment of desserts. L & D, daily. 297 E. Maple Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.731.7768. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Accepting daily delivery of a wide variety of fresh fish flown in from all coasts, the atmosphere is that of an upscale seafood restaurant. Also features a lively bar area. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. Mountain King: Chinese restaurant serving fried rice, sesame chicken, General Tso’s chicken and standard Chinese favorites. L & D, daily. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913. New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Featuring a Thai atmosphere and variety of Thai specialties such as duck, noodles, seafood and curries. Also offering soups, salads, fried rice and appetizers. B, Monday Thursday; L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181. Northern Lakes Seafood Co: Serving a signature lobster reuben for lunch and a Chilean sea bass for dinner. The seasonal menu includes a soft shell crab, lobster bisque and Columbia river king salmon. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.0370 Olga’s Kitchen: Olga’s offers fresh and unique flavored appetizers, sandwiches, soups and salads. Grilled to-order Olga bread available. L & D daily. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500 and at 138 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2760.

JUNE 2010

■ main course Gourmet meets down home at Peabody’s By Eleanor Heald

earching for words to describe Peabody’s in Birmingham is easy. For one, it’s an historic landmark that is best explained by its barn-like structure. Decades ago, it was a gristmill that in 1946 became Peabody’s Market, selling local fruit. By 1975, Birmingham was by no stretch of the imagination rural. The Peabody family saw greater potential in a restaurant and turned the barn structure into the now-familiar eatery. A 1980 fire did not deter the Peabodys, who re-opened their restaurant within six months. Currently, three Peabody sisters, Susan, Nancy, and Barbara, own the restaurant and share management. Peabody’s is more than a Birmingham legacy. The owners are passionate and Executive Chef Cary White, a 20-year veteran, has kept under the radar, not seeking plaudits, but dishing up what some may call traditional American fare. I call it food Americans like to eat – comfort food, real food that transcends ethnicity and over-delivers in its moderate price range with dinner prices: appetizers $8-12; soups, $3-4; main course salads, $8-12; and main courses, $11-21.

Peabody’s owner Barbara Jerome (from left), Executive Chef Cary White, and owners Nancy Peabody and Susan Peabody. (The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard)

the rustic and relaxed, open and spacious atmosphere. He’s a contemporary American fare zealot. “There’s nothing worse than making food that no one wants to eat,” he comments. “Good, old American cooking is not done in many homes anymore. People long for it, though. And we offer that on the Peabody’s menu.”

TRADITION WITH INNOVATION

A Peabody’s frequent diner told me that she can still see the late founder Jim Peabody watching over his eatery from atop the second floor stairway. “We all feel his spirit,” his daughter Nancy says. “It’s reflected in the traditional décor with 60-foot beams from Ohio farms, installed after the fire, and maintaining a comfortable ambiance and instant warmth.” Chef White’s menu fits well into

Although tradition is an important element in Peabody’s success, Susan stresses, “Diners are eating more fish than ever.” This, and the fact that it’s so good, makes Fresh Lake Perch the number one favorite. Chef White cites close seconds as short ribs , meatloaf and lamb shanks. Yet, nearly every meat lover I asked suggested Peabody’s Oven Roasted Prime Rib au Jus served with horseradish sauce, house salad and baked potato. It can be ordered as Regular Cut at $21.95, or Western Cut $24.95.

Peabody’s: With rustic beams and subtle lighting, Peabody’s offers unique sandwiches and salads, along with fresh seafood, house prime rib, signature steaks and pastas. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern fare featuring chicken shawarma, sweet salad, fattoush, Greek salad, lambchops, seafood and taboulee. Pita Cafe is known for its fantastic garlic spread. L & D, daily. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999.

Pancake House: Best known for breakfast fare, the Original Pancake House has a varied menu. B, L & D, daily. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775.

Pizza Papalis & Rio Wraps: Full menu includes rio wraps, pizzas, salads, soups, pasta and desserts; known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza. L & D, daily. 4036 Telegraph Road, Ste.106, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7722.

A SPIRIT REMAINS

Panera Bread: A variety of soups, sandwiches and desserts., plus an on-site bakery. B, L & D, daily. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48309. 248.203.7966 and at 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877. Phoenicia: A special dining experience, Phoenicia offers all the traditional dishes of Lebanon. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 248.644.3122.

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Qdoba: A one-of-a-kind Mexican grill restaurant, Qdoba features tacos, salads, nachos, quesadillas and more. L & D, daily. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Quattro Cucina Italiana: Quarttro features appetizers, salads, pizza, burgers, grilled Atlantic salmon, flat-ironed steak and pastas. The relaxed family atmosphere includes a children’s munu, desserts and an ample wine selection. B,W,L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.6060.

Main course-size salads have grown in popularity as diners have become more health conscious. Among those most frequently chosen are Apricot Salmon Salad, $11.95, with broiled Atlantic salmon, dried apricots, dried cherries, tomatoes, candied pecans, blue cheese, crispy wontons on gourmet greens and an apricot-champagne vinaigrette. Also popular is the Grand Traverse Salad, $8.95. Components are mixed greens, berries, red onions, walnuts, sundried cherries, crumbled blue cheese and raspberry vinaigrette accompanied by lemon bread. Offered only as a special, Duck a l’Orange or with Traverse City cherry sauce has garnered a growing group of aficionados. So much so that Peabody’s has a “duck list.” Nancy says that each diner on the list receives a personal phone call when duck will be a special of the day. “It’s amazing,” she remarks, “every diner on the list shows up.”

GOURMET COMFORT To me, the menu treat is Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, $14.95. Ultra creamy cheddar jack cheese sauce smothers succulent diced North Atlantic lobster, grilled asparagus, roasted bell peppers and al dente cavatappi pasta (a short, fairly thick sshaped pasta tube that resembles a small corkscrew). This is both gourmet and comfort home cooking in one dish. Other palate treats include: Roquefort Crusted Flat Iron Steak, $15.95; Apple-Jack char-grilled Baby Back Ribs, half slab, $15.25 and full, $20.95. Peabody’s goes roadhouse style with Frog Legs, fries and coleslaw, $14.95. For over 30 years, 80-year-old Anna Mart has made Peabody’s desserts. Her pies are famous, yet for ultimate yum, try one of her Quiznos: A signature toasting style creates crisp edges, melted cheese, sizzling meat and warm bread. Choose from over 20 oven-toasted subs, five flatbread chopped salads, 10 sammies, five torpedoes & bullets and soups. Offering a full children’s menu and new, on-site catering. L & D daily. 185 N Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.7827. Rio Wraps: Features burritos, salads and deli wraps. L & D, daily. 42805 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.540.7722 . Salvatore Scallopini: Salvatore Scallopini offers fresh prepared daily Italian dishes, appetizers and a variety of desserts. B, W. L & D, daily. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sandella’s Flatbread Cafe: A casual cafe offering health-conscious options. Grilled paninis, sandwiches, grilled flatbreads, chopped salads and quesadillas are featured. L & D daily. 172 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

THE PAPER

warm crisps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The wine list fits on a single halfsheet with many by-the-glass pours, all under $10, and by the bottle, mainly in the $30 range.

ENTERTAINMENT Live jazz at the back of the bar on Friday and Saturday evenings features revolving groups, including such popular performers as clarinetist Dave Bennett and his quartet, playing Benny Goodman re-incarnated sounds once monthly. Groups are listed on the restaurant website peabodysrestaurant.com. (Peabody’s, 34965 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248. 644.5222. Monday to Thursday 11am-11pm. Friday & Saturday 11am-1am; closed Sunday. Dinner check average without alcoholic beverage, $18. Reservations for five or more.) QUICK BITES Quattro (201 Hamilton, Birmingham, 248.593.6060) relaunched May 4 as a Pizzeria & Wine Bar with a casual, moderately-priced menu featuring Neapolitan pizzas (try Margherita and Four Cheese), soups, salads, and an array of pastas (try Cavatelli and Strozzapretti). Weekly promotions offer additional values: Sunday and Monday (40 percent off bottled wine), Tuesday ($2 domestic beer), Wednesday ($5 wines by the glass), Thursday (specialty cocktails), Friday and Saturday (premium wines by the glass features). Blackboard Specials are seasonal and chef inspired. ■ Eleanor Heald is a nationally-published writer who also writes the wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for The Paper. Suggestions for this feature and specifically for the Quick Bites section can be e-mailed to quickbites@oaklandpaper.com

Steve’s Deli: Classic and popular deli featuring a wide variety of soups, sandwiches and deserts. B, L & D, daily. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.932.0800. Streetside Seafood: Streetside has developed a reputation for fresh fish, oysters and other seafood on a seasonal menu B,W,L. L, MondayFriday; D, daily. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Sushi Hana: Sushi Hana’s menu includes tempura, teriyakis, yakitori, fried egg, seafood, vegetables and more. Offers traditional Japanese fare as well as some Korean dishes. L, MondayFriday; D, Monday-Saturday. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. Sy Thai Cafe: A casual dining atmosphere, Sy Thai serves orange duck, noodle dishes, stirfried mussels with onions and all the usual Thai classics. L & D, daily. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: Featuring wine

■ focus on wine World Cup’s finest wines takes the stage By Eleanor & Ray Heald If you thought that South Africa was a newcomer to the wine scene, read on. The first vintage was 350 years ago. With all of the publicity surrounding the June 11 to July 11, 2010 World Cup, the South African wine industry has powered up and gone into overdrive. An

extra million or so visitors to South Africa translates into a significant number of noses sniffing South African wines, satisfying palates, and enjoying the experience. How much do you know about these wines? South Africa produces about 82 million cases of wine annually and is the planet’s ninth largest wine exporter, shipping 1.2 million of those cases to the U.S., with many retailing under $20 per bottle.

Most Popular Varietals Only a few years ago, New Zealand sauvignon blanc was the darling white in the U.S. Now, however, many U.S. consumers find these New Zealand wines too aggressive, and have discovered that sauvignon blanc from South Africa offers the right balance of fruit in a more restrained wine. Sauvignon blanc plantings in South Africa have soared 30 percent over the last 10 years, particularly in regions most affected by the cooling maritime influences of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Viognier is another white garnering a lot of attention. Both of these white wines have shifted attention away from chenin blanc, a variety that remains the most planted grape in South Africa, but down 21 percent in the last five years.

Blending chenin blanc with chardonnay or white Rhone varieties is a popular option, but less impressive than some 100 percent chardonnays from Neil Ellis, as an example, or a white Rhone varietal blend from Goats do Roam. Although Wines of South Africa (WOSA) statistics indicate that cabernet sauvignon is the dominant red variety, making up 13 percent of total plantings, Rhone varieties are gaining traction, up about 15 percent in the current decade. Paarl and Stellenbosch, which form the center of South Africa’s winelands, is becoming best know for Syrah. Further inland, Swartland is achieving cult status due to brands such as Spice Route, which touts Swartland grapes. A national proclivity for blending various varietals is a distinguishing element of South African wines. “Cape Blends” incorporate Pinotage (a pinot noir-cinsaut cross) into the mix, but thankfully (quite honestly!), these are falling from favor. When you’re in the top 10, you’re considered a major player. That puts South Africa right up there. As more attention is paid this year to the first African nation to host soccer’s World Cup, more will also be paid to its wines. Do try some from our list of favorites below.

South African Favorites —Goats do Roam 2009 White, $10, a Rhone-style blend of viognier, grenache blanc and roussanne. —Boekenhoutskloof 2007 Semillon, $29, floral, citrus and lively. Pronounce: boo-kin-hoots-kloof. —Southern Right 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, $19, bright fruit personality with complex finish. —Neil Ellis 2009 Stellenbosch Chardonnay $20, lemon-lime aromas with green apple and vanilla touches. Very elegant finish. —Neil Ellis 2008 Elgin Chardonnay, $27, originates from one of the Cape’s coolest growing regions and showcases not only citrus characters, but also a mineral touch. —Goats do Roam 2009 Rosé, $10, a blend of shiraz, mourvedre, gamay noir and grenache noir, brims with strawberry and red fruit nuances. —Goats do Roam 2008 Red, $10, a

blend of five Rhone varieties is a southern Rhone delicious taste-alike. —Neil Ellis 2007 Shiraz, $20, has bright, pure fruit. —Boekenhoutskloof 2007 Syrah, $47, has intense depth with dominant black fruits and a spicy edge. —Boekenhoutskloof 2008 The Chocolate Block, $39, is big and brawny, with a dark fruit profile from a five-varietal blend that has a syrah dominance.

Wine Picks If you’ve followed our wine writing for a number of years, you recognize that we are big fans of Williams Selyem wines. Few offerings are available locally, so this is one of the brands to have shipped to your residence. A new product for WS is the Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, Russian River Valley $35. Rank it among the top California no-oak chards for its bright, fresh aroma profile and bold, ripe apple and fresh pineapple flavors. Among the latest 2008 pinot noir releases are several exceptional Williams Selyem wines: Central Coast $34, Sonoma County $34, Russian River Valley $46, Sonoma Coast $46, and Westside Road Neighbors Russian River Valley $67. Because production is so limited, WS wines are sold through allocations on a first-come, first-served basis. Here’s how it works: twice yearly, mailing list members receive a newsletter and order form with specific allocations. Log on to the website WilliamsSelyem.com, and follow instructions for “Join the Mailing List” and get started. It sometimes takes almost a year to get a spot on the list. Be patient. Your tastebuds will thank you.

Don’t Miss These Values They over-deliver. •2009 Colomé Torrontes (Argentina) $15 –fabulous with Asian-fusion cuisine —NV Bonterra Red Table Wine $10 (organically-grown merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel blend) •NV Bonterra White Table Wine $10 (organically-grown chardonnay base

with a blend of Rhone varietals) •2009 Marques de Caceres Rioja White (100 percent viura) $9

Outrageous Power Grab In April, with bi-partisan support, H.R. 5034 slinked onto the floor of Congress. If passed, it would allow wine wholesalers to restrict interstate commerce again. Consumers would lose their right, gained largely in 2005 via the Supreme Court decision in Granholm v. Heald (yup, that’s us), to purchase wine directly from any of the nation’s 6,700 wineries. Passage would stifle progress made by Michigan wineries, many of which, such as Black Star Farms, have a successful direct-to-consumer (D2C) business. Why, we’ve been asked, are we again at risk of a reversal of the Granholm decision? It’s called follow the money. Both the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, who wrote H.R. 5034, want to regain their monopoly in wine and beer sales. They care little about the small wineries (like nearly all those in Michigan), who survive only through D2C sales. Small wineries face insurmountable odds in building a distribution network. Here are the facts: In three decades, U.S. wine production has increased 500 percent, while wine distribution has decreased by 50 percent. There are far too few distributors to support the number of wines produced. In the last decade, wine distribution has consolidated such that six huge wine and spirits distributors control more than 50 percent of U.S. wine sales. And those sales are of mega brands. To stay in business, small wineries depend on D2C. If you consider H.R. 5034 an outrageous power grab, take action. Visit freethegrapes.com for instructions on how to send a letter to our legislators. Click on Defeat HR5034: Stop the Monopoly Power Grab. Eleanor & Ray Heald are contributing editors for the internationally respected Quarterly Review of Wines, among other publications. Contact them by e-mail at focusonwine@aol.com.

varieties from regions all over the world, Tallulah offers wine by the bottle, half bottle and glass. American fare is on the menu with a farmto-table concept. Dishes are made fresh daily with organic, local products. Indoor and seasonal patio seating available. B, W, L. B, D, Wednesday-Sunday. 155 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066.

Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.

daily. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

soups. L & D, daily. 327 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.1108.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: The Moose Preserve features a full menu, including fresh fish, barbecue ribs and certified black angus steak. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

Whistle Stop Cafe: Voted among the best diners in America by Good Morning America, this eatery boasts of its local roots and feel. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Friday. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.5588.

The Corner Bar: Part of the Townsend Hotel complex, The Corner Bar offers a lighter fare from 5-7 p.m. that includes sliders and salads. B, W, L. D, Wednesday-Saturday. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.

The Phat Sammich: Offers 70 different sandwiches, five daily soup specials and salads. Homemade fare is prepared fresh daily and weekday lunch delivery is available. L & D, daily. 34186 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0860

Toast: With a modern retro style, Toast offers American dishes with a touch of southwestern taste, including signature breakfast food to burgers. B, W, L. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Saturday. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. Tokyo Sushi & Grill: A cozy sushi bar offering sashimi, soba noodle dishes, teriyakis, tempura, all the traditional Japanese dishes, and, of course, sushi. L & D, daily. 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6501

The Gallery Restaurant: Family restaurant in an art gallery environment offering full menu. American fare includes omelettes, sandwiches and a variety of salads. B, L & D, daily. 6683

The Rugby Grille: Conveniently located inside Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel and offering a luxury dining experience. B, W, L. B, L & D,

TOPZ: Offering homemade fare, featuring Michigan vendors and local Michigan products, TOPZ prides itself on its air-baked, non-fried fries, nuggets, onion rings, burgers, chili and

THE PAPER

(Want your eating establishment listed? There is no charge for this directory in The Paper but there are a couple of rules. An eatery must be located in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township or Bloomfield Hills and must have tables where patrons can dine in. Send your information via fax (248.360.1220) to Katey Meisner or e-mail to kateymeisner@thescngroup.com.

JUNE 2010

DID YOU KNOW A BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST IS RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? Beaumont Quality Close to Home… What Sets Us Apart? Three of the Leading National Board Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Guy R. Pupp Dr. Louis J. Geller • Dr. Harry A. Kezelian The Foot and Ankle Institute of Michigan

248.737.0780

DR. GUY R. PUPP • Named one of the nation’s 175 most influential Podiatrists • Specializing in diabetic limb salvage • Lectures and trains doctors nationally/internationally • Inventor of surgical devices; revolutionized foot/ankle care • Named one of Hour Magazine’s Top Docs in 2009 • Board member of the MI Chapter of the American Diabetes Association • Board member of Save A Leg - Safe a Life Foundation

DR. LOUIS J. GELLER • One of less than 25 Board Certified Podiatric Wound Care Specialists in Michigan • One of the state’s most experienced surgeons • Leading specialist in the treatment of diabetic foot care • Member of Save A Leg - Save A Life Foundation • Member of the MI Chapter of the American Diabetes Association • The only Podiatrist elected by Governor Jennifer Granholm to sit on a Surgical Committee for the State of Michigan • Member of the State of Michigan Board of Podiatry

DR. HARRY A. KEZELIAN • One of only four Beaumont podiatrists to be Board Certified by both the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine • 28 years of hospital surgical experience • Appointed to the Michigan Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, 2005 to present • Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association • Member of the MI Chapter of the American Diabetes Association • Member of Save A Leg - Save A Life Foundation • Lifetime member of Leadership Detroit

Beaumont Medical Center 6900 Orchard Lake Road, Ste, 315 • West Bloomfield Just south of Maple Road Surgical Suite located on-site

Lower Long Lake Frontage $3,450,000 Spectacular setting on Lower Long Lake! Country French Estate featuring walkout lower level to private landscaped pool area with brick deck and walkways. Large backyard down to boat dock. Large room sizes with lovely views of the lake! Back stairway leads to separate suites built over garage. Warm and inviting! 210033030 Presented by Ronni Keating

Bloomfield Hills $2,299,000 Private entry to elegant Estate in City of Bloomfield Hills. Large marble foyer with custom designed dual iron work stairway. Bedroom suites plus large master suite with sitting room. Lower level features pool room, theater/wine cellar/shooting gallery. Attached greenhouse. Four car garage. 29109290 Presented by Ronni Keating

Ronni Keating

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Franklin Village $1,495,000

Bloomfield Hills $1,375,000

Once in a life time opportunity to secure one of Franklin’s greatest homes. Mt. Tom sits high atop a 4+ acre hilltop property. Meticulously updated mechanically and cosmetically. Grounds are breathtaking. Four bedrooms, 3.1 baths, 4,581 sq ft. Square footage includes 550 sq ft in finished lower level walkout. 28164472 Presented by Sara Lipnitz

Set high upon a hilltop on a private cul-de-sac and in the heart of Bloomfield Hills, this home has been meticulously updated. Style and sophistication, high end amenities and gracious living space. First and second floor master suites, neutral stone baths and gorgeous fixtures. Gourmet kitchen. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 210023765 Presented by Sara Lipnitz

Bloomfield Village $1,295,000

Bloomfield Village $1,245,000

Stunning and stylish décor with great details in this newer construction. Great built-ins, wainscoting and thick millwork. Gourmet kitchen opens to family room, master bedroom with huge walk in closet and spa like bath, second floor laundry and finished lower level. Five bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 210010160 Presented by Sara Lipnitz

Tucked deep into the Estate section, this home sits on three lots. Custom features, first floor master suite with his and her baths. Gracious rooms, granite/cherry kitchen, dual stairwells, mud room with informal powder room. Birmingham Schools. Five bedrooms with 6.3 baths. 210025571 Presented by Sara Lipnitz

Sara Lipnitz

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Bloomfield Hills $1,050,000 Beautifully tucked away within the City of Bloomfield. Built in the late 20's but substantially updated and renovated in the 90's. Exceptional spaces, lovely master suite with two baths and fireplace. Inviting living room, cozy library and wonderful family room. Up-to-date kitchen with premium appliances. Four bedrooms with 5.1 baths 210031809 Presented by Mike Cotter

Bloomfield $1,450,000

Birmingham $799,999

Custom built to perfection! Very high quality, premium appointments and finishes throughout. This home is tucked away on gorgeous 1.57 acre grounds with wildlife sanctuary backdrop. Lower level walkout with gourmet kitchen, family room and bedroom suite. Spacious and elegant. Six bedrooms with 6.2 baths. 29158668 Presented by Mike Cotter

A bit of Paris in this beautifully presented French Townhouse! European elegance and sophistication. Filled with very custom millwork, wrought iron and exquisite stonework. Three story property exudes a gracious historic lifestyle, while providing very up to date facilities. Located adjacent to Downtown Birmingham in a very private cul-de-sac. 210053800 Presented by Mike Cotter and Paula Law

Mike Cotter & Paula Law

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Bloomfield $1,375,000 2006 Built Custom Crafted Masterpiece! Flowing floor plan adorned with custom carved wood walls, coffered ceilings and high end finishes. Large dining room, high end kitchen with gathering area, theater room and two entry level bedrooms. Second floor leads to extensive master suite and two spacious additional bedroom suites. 210056304 Presented by Renee Acho

Birmingham $899,900

Bloomfield $495,000

Elegant foyer with cascading staircase leads to the white eat in kitchen, study, living room with fireplace and dining room with French doors to Zen-like private yard with huge deck. Second floor with family/bonus room, master suite with luxurious bath and two additional bedrooms. Finished lower level with family room, additional bedroom and full bath. 210055881 Presented by Renee Acho

Center entrance Colonial on large fenced lot with swimming pool! Large living room, eat in kitchen, formal dining room, family room with fireplace and lovely Florida room overlooking private yard. Separate in law suite or nanny suite off main level with private entry. Award winning Bloomfield Hills Schools. Five bedrooms with 2.2 baths. 210056309 Presented by Renee Acho

Renee Acho

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham $2,495,000 The perfect blend of casual and formal living overlooking the Rouge River and located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. Two story foyer, light filled living room with fireplace, breakfast room off the gourmet DeGulio kitchen. Spectacular finished walkout lower level with wine room. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. Three patios/decks. 210049819 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Franklin Village $1,795,000 Situated on 2.14 acres with exceptional design and amenities. First floor master complete with spa bath and walk in closet. Open, flowing floor plan offers fantastic kitchen, great room overlooking sport/tennis court. Two second story bonus rooms. Five gracious bedrooms with 5.2 baths. Finished lower level. Four car heated garage. 29156670 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Cindy Obron Kahn

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Lake Angelus Frontage $2,499,900

Lake Angelus Frontage $1,999,900

Fabulous sunsets surround this newer built home on sandy point. Dead end street. Beautiful views. South Shore with every possible amenity, granite and marble heated. Three and a half car garage. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 210021645 Presented by Lee Embrey

Contemporary Tudor on over one acre with 6,854 sq ft of modern sophistication. Granite kitchen, Subzero, Viking, Thermador and Bosch appliances. First floor junior master. Three fireplaces. 1,800 sq ft Mahogany deck with hot tub. Five bedrooms with five baths. 210021093 Presented by Lee Embrey

Orchard Lake Frontage $1,399,900

Lake Angelus Frontage $894,000

Fabulous 4,300 sq ft lakefront home with stunning sunset views. Updates include; new kitchen with all upper end appliances, baths and hardwood floors. Private hot tub. Sandy frontage and wooded lot on 1.3 acres. Four bedrooms with four baths. 210043324 Presented by Lee Embrey

Very well kept home with fabulous views of Lake Angelus. 2,000 square foot Ranch with an additional 1600 square footage in the finished lower level. Three fireplaces. Full deck, paver patio, stone sea wall, private road. Four bedrooms with four baths. 210021618 Presented by Lee Embrey

Lee Embrey

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Independence Township $1,060,000

Bloomfield $590,000

Spectacular four year old custom built home on 10.7 wooded acres. Tall ceilings, granite, travertine tile and wide plank wood floors. Large gourmet kitchen. Luxurious master suite. Four fireplaces. Media and excercise room. Finished walk-out with second kitchen, full bath and bedroom. Six bedrooms and 5.3 baths. 210001716 Presented by Bill Tracy

This home is filled top to bottom with beautiful detail such as antique leaded glass doors, extensive custom cabinets and crown molding. Beautiful master suite with two master baths. Three bedrooms and 4.1 baths. Finished daylight lower level. 210047089 Presented by Christine Johnson

Farmington Hills $429,900

Orion Township $399,000

Stunning Colonial on exclusive private court. Spectacular two story foyer, nine foot ceilings and fabulous architectural details in the living room. Gorgeous kitchen with granite tops and maple cabinets in 2006. Large master suite. Three car garage. Four bedrooms and 2.1 baths. 210018123 Presented by Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson

Situated dramatically on the 2nd fairway of Indianwood Country Club. Brilliant sunsets and panoramic views of water, nature and beautiful landscaping. Updated, well maintained and newly completed finished area (500 sq ft) in basement. City water with well for sprinkler system at no cost. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. Also for Lease. 210038923 Presented by Bill Tracy

Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Bloomfield Hills $5,999,000 $500,000 Price Reduction! This true mansion sits prestigiously on a hilltop with spectacular views of its four acres. Absolutely stunning architectural details walk you through the residence. From its captivating grand foyer, palatial two story great room, expansive library and spacious formal dining room. Seven bedrooms with 8.3 baths. 210055448 Presented by Jill Beshouri

Birmingham $1,999,000

Birmingham $950,000

True in-town residence! From the architectural detail, cherry floors, granite countertops and natural stone, quality craftsmanship abounds. Two fabulous kitchens, commercial grade appliances and double French doors opening the great room to a wonderful pergola covered patio. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 210001214 Presented by Jill Beshouri

Classic, sophistication and style describes this gorgeous in-town residence. Professionally decorated, gourmet kitchen, dining area opening to family room with double French doors. Spacious master suite. Finished lower level offers theater area, workout room and kitchenette. Three bedrooms and 2.2 baths. 210004479 Presented by Jill Beshouri

Jill Beshouri

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Northville Township $1,599,000 Gracious and beautiful estate living on the third hole of Meadowbrook Country Club! Custom built home offers it all, stunning entrance to the incredible walk out. Open floor plan with gorgeous views, wonderful room sizes and custom touches everywhere. Expansive lot offers privacy. Six bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 210032328 Presented by Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson

Metamora $1,499,000 Spectacular Equestrian property with designer perfect Georgian home. Chef 's dream kitchen, beautiful family, living and dining rooms. Second kitchen in lower level. Custom dressage barn inclusive of indoor arena, 15 stalls, tack, laundry, feed and bath room, 10 paddocks and equipment barn. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 29016770 Presented by David Busch

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham $849,000

West Bloomfield $790,000

Classic newer construction Georgian Colonial. Hardwood throughout first floor, open kitchen with top of the line appliances, library with builtins, two fireplaces, wonderful large master suite with his/hers custom walk-ins. Finished daylight lower level with full bath. Finished studio over garage. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 210026078 Presented by Chuck Foster

Elegant and gracious home in a cul-de-sac location. Blue stone walkway and patio and Mahogany front door. Completely updated in 2006. Master suite with dual walk in closets, large sitting room attached, limestone and granite bath. Huge lot with pool and waterfall. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 210049606 Presented by Andrew Teitel

Bloomfield Hills $725,000

Bloomfield $649,900

Drastic $625K Price Reduction! Two plus acres in the City of Bloomfield Hills! Serene tranquility surrounds this spacious Ranch featuring six bedrooms with 4.1 baths. Over 5,600 sq ft on both levels. Sunroom off the kitchen and large formal dining room with cathedral ceiling. Fenced deck and kidney shaped pool overlook huge private backyard. 210025301 Presented by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Rochester Hills

Lake Angelus

Bloomfield

Spectacular Estate living in gated community close to Rochester and Stony Creek High School. Large gourmet kitchen. First floor master suite and three bedroom suites up. 210037185 $1,750,000. Donna Barlow

Beautiful Lake Angelus lakefront on three acres. Four bedrooms, 4.1 baths, large custom kitchen with eat-in space. Gorgeous views to this exclusive all sports lake. 29129460 $1,499,000. David Busch

Fabulous Bloomfield renovation on beautiful 2/3 acre site. Extensive use of hardwood and crown molding. Gourmet cherry kitchen opens to great room. Finished lower level. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 210046168 $695,000. Heather Salesin

Bloomfield

Birmingham

Completely renovated in 2008. Gourmet granite kitchen, first floor master, five bedrooms, 4.3 baths, hardwood and crown moldings throughout. Circular drive and private wooded lot. 29076326 $659,900. Lisa Sturdevant

Extraordinary property, once part of 80 acre nursery that was sub divided into Coryell Park. White kitchen, living room, dining room and family room with fireplace. Brick walkway and patio. 5 bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 210050395 $545,000. Cindy Obron Kahn

Beautifully remodeled center entrance Colonial. Large living room with fireplace, white eat in kitchen, study/dining room. Garage with 20 x 24 bonus room. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 210028823 $449,500. Renee Acho

West Bloomfield

Birmingham

Bloomfield

Beautifully remodeled in 2008 with two large master suites; one on the entry level. Great room with cathedral ceilings and dramatic floor to ceiling fireplace. Three car attached garage. 210047267 $375,000. Candice Cuyler

Beautiful Colonial built in 2004. Open floor plan with spacious rooms. An island kitchen with stainless steel appliances, first floor laundry, custom window treatments. Three bedrooms, 2.1 baths. 210002537 $359,000. Avery Weisling

Beautiful home on a 1.69 acre lot. Living room with fireplace and doorwall, family and dining room addition. Updated granite eat in kitchen. Large wrap around deck overlooking back yard. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 210039948 $349,000. Renee Acho

Birmingham

Huntington Woods

Bloomfield

Arts and Crafts Bungalow on a tree-lined street. Custom Cherry cabinets in kitchen with granite counters. Updated baths. Large deck in private back yard. Three bedrooms with two baths. 210041107 $334,000. Bev McCotter

Updated white eat in kitchen with sunny bay window. Beautiful large living room and formal dining room. Huge master bedroom with master bath. Large fenced yard. Three bedrooms with two baths. 210056715 $250,000. Ann Greenberg

Very open walk out Ranch in Wabeek Pines. Living room with cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Hardwood floors in living and dining room. Marble foyer and hall. Spacious rooms. Three bedrooms with three baths. 29147252 $179,000. Kathy Haack

SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

■ municipal New Birmingham budget 6 percent lower than current By Lisa Brody Birmingham city commissioners voted 7-0 on Monday, May 10 to adopt a 2010-11 Fiscal Year budget that’s nearly 6 percent below the current fiscal year’s spending plan. City Manager Tom Markus presented his budget proposal to the City Commission at an all-day budget study session held Saturday, April 24. Markus stated in a letter to the commissioners that this was the most difficult budget to create in all his years working in Birmingham. While personnel costs have continued to decline as a result of staff reductions, primarily through attrition, he said that costs for retiree health care and retiree benefits have continued to significantly increase, and now account for a larger portion of the city’s costs. “The combination of these factors has resulted in a budget requiring difficult choices to be made,” Markus wrote. “While our current financial condition remains strong, we recognize the present and future challenges that must be resolved if we are to continue as a premier and thriving location. We must continue to position ourselves to meet these challenges and maintain a stable level of service delivery while continuing to meet the city’s infrastructure needs.” The proposed budget’s goals are to reduce costs where possible, while continuing to provide high-quality services; promote and plan for economic development throughout the city to ensure strong property values; determine appropriate staffing levels; provide for necessary infrastructure improvements and prioritize capital projects; implement technological advancements; uphold fiscal integrity and maintain adequate reserves; and assure the city’s millage levy is below the Headlee tax limitation, providing for additional taxing ability. The city continues to maintain a AAA bond rating, the highest attainable. The total budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, is just under $60 million, a 5.9 percent decrease from the 2009-10 fiscal year. Total estimated operating revenues are $56.3 million, an 8 percent increase over the current fiscal year estimate. The difference between expenditures and revenues will be covered by a combination of the city’s fund balance, private sources, and grants, according to Birmingham Finance Director/City Treasurer Sharon Ostin. www.oaklandpaper.com

Bloomfield Hills voters fill positions McClure and Toohey tapped for terms on City Commission By Lisa Brody

loomfield Hills voters have tapped challengers Sarah McClure and Robert Toohey to serve two-year terms on the City Commission. Toohey led the field of candidates with 725 (35.91 percent) of 2,019 total votes cast in the election. McClure garnered 721 votes, equaling 35.71 percent. Incumbent L. David Kellett collected 308 votes, or 15.26 percent of the total cast, and challenger Douglas Hardy received 262 votes, equaling 12.98 percent. McClure and Toohey’s vote totals outpaced Kellett and Hardy’s in each of the city’s three precincts. In McClure Precinct No. 1, Toohey took in 200 votes; McClure, 196; Kellett, 84; and Hardy, 79. In Precinct No. 2, McClure received 154 votes; Toohey, 145; Kellett, 49; and Hardy, 51. In the city’s third precinct, designated for absentee ballots, Toohey earned 380 votes; McClure, 371; Kellett, 175; and Hardy, 132. “I’m pleased,” McClure said of the unofficial election results. “I think it was overwhelming, the direction the city and the majority of the residents want to go in. People want us to follow the Master Plan. It doesn’t mean we are unwelcoming, or resistant to change. “Now, the hard work begins,” she said. “We, the commissioners, have to vote on the budget ... I’ve been going to all of the budget meetings, so I feel like I know what’s going on. The financial situThe city’s General Fund budget, which is the city’s main operating fund, is set at $26.6 million for 201011. Chief expenditures include public safety, at $10.8 million; roads and road maintenance, $3.6 million; and general administration, $3.4 million. Property taxes are expected to account for 73.2 percent of all revenues, or $19.4 million; charges for various city services represent 8 percent of revenues, or $2.1 million; and intergovernmental charges account for 5.6 percent, or $1.5 million . Markus said this year’s budget

ation must be dealt with, like in every community.” McClure said she would like to see a lot more communication with city residents to see what direction city officials should take with the city’s finances. “People want Toohey their commissioners to be accessible, and information to flow to them,” she said. “We need to keep residents informed along the way.” McClure is a former Merrill Lynch financial consultant, and a former Cranbrook and Oakland University economics instructor. She previously served on the Orchard Lake City Council and Zoning Board of Appeals. Toohey said the election results indicate city residents are concerned about the community, and want the Master Plan followed. “They see the Master Plan has a provision where it can be changed every year,” he said. “They want the city to maintain current characteristics, with green spaces, low density, no expansion of the commercial area, and Hardy they want to maintain the tree line. They do not want strip malls.” Toohey is a licensed residential builder, real estate broker and attorney specializing in municipal and corporate law. He served on the Bloomfield Hills City includes the reduction of 13.5 additional full-time positions, primarily through attrition. Additionally, all non-essential overtime is eliminated. The city’s operating millage will increase by 0.5352 mills for the 2010-11 fiscal year, to provide funding to meet drain debt requirements and additional funding for road reconstruction projects. Included are levies of 0.4531 for road improvements, and 0.0821 for drain debt. The total millage levy for the city would be 14.9998, an increase from 14.2221 mills for the current fiscal year.

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Commission from 2004 to 2006, on the city’s Planning Commission from 2006 to 2009, and on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals prior to his election to the City Commission. Hardy summed up the election results as an indication that voters want the city to be “isolationist.” “That’s democracy, and that’s what they’re going to get,” he said. “Now, let them duke it out. “Negative campaigns are more successful than positive ones,” he said of McClure and Toohey’s victories. Hardy is the owner and Kellett chairman of SKBK Sotheby’s, and the owner and president of Century 21 Today. “They ran a great campaign,” Kellett said of McClure and Toohey. “It was a more political campaign than I’m used to. I’m a straightforward guy. “I feel sorry for the administration right now,” he said. “They’re going to have a tough time working with these people.” Kellett is the owner and chief executive officer of Kellett Construction Co. Currently the Bloomfield Hills mayor, Kellett has served on the commission since 2006. He has served on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and has been a member of the Planning Commission since 2008. McClure praised Kellett’s work for the city. “Although we disagreed over the issues, I want to thank Dave Kellett for his service to the community as a commissioner and the city’s mayor.” ■ A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is generally equal to half the property’s market value. Markus noted that taxable values for properties fell an average of 3.63 percent last year, and further declines of 7 percent and 4 percent are forecasted for 2010 and 2011, respectively. While many experts believe the slide will end in 2012-2013, that’s still uncertain, and municipalities won’t be able to return to their 20072008 property tax revenue levels for 10 years or more. ■ 59

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JUNE 2010

■ municipal Bloomfield Hills officials still working on 2010-11 budget By Lisa Brody Bloomfield Hills city commissioners were unable to find a consensus on a budget proposal for the 201011 Fiscal Year on Tuesday, May 11, leaving them less than three weeks to adopt a budget for the new fiscal year. The commission was scheduled to hold a special meeting on May 24, after press time, to consider adoption of a new budget. An angry audience of approximately 150 crowded the Bloomfield Hills City Hall for the commission’s May 11 meeting, after every home in the city received a flyer from public safety officers warning that “some of our current city leaders and commission candidates advocate and have researched the downsizing of our Public Safety Department and the total elimination of our own emergency dispatch center ...” The flyer went on to state that the safety of people in Bloomfield Hills’ neighborhoods would be compromised by cutting any services. A follow-up letter was sent to residents by Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens explaining the city’s budget situation, including a budget shortfall of $1.2 million for the fiscal year (FY) ending June 30, 2011. On the agenda for the May 11 commission meeting was a public hearing and adoption of the city’s 2010-11 budget, and setting a millage rate for the new fiscal year. City Finance Director Carolyn Lorenz noted that there had been five different budget review sessions held due to current budget challenges, which are tied to falling home values and decreased state revenue sharing — state payments based on a percentage of sales tax collected by the state and returned to municipalities. She noted that 84 percent of the city’s revenues are tied to property taxes, which are down due to declining property values. The city’s expenditures are primarily linked to personnel, which has seen increases in health care costs and long-term benefits. “Sixty-five percent of the budget is personnel costs, and public safety is 50 percent of those costs,” Lorenz said. “The remaining 35 percent of the budget is maintenance of roads. We’re very limited in what we can do. “At the end of 2009, we were looking at a $2.7 million fund balance,” she said. “Without a millage increase, and no other change, one www.oaklandpaper.com

Safety path projects Township board approves 2010 program By Brooke Meier

he Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved a 2010 safety path program and a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for new safety paths along Telegraph Road, as well as other areas in the township. Wayne Domine, engineering and environmental director for the township, said the scope of the 2010 program will include reconstruction of the path along Long Lake Road from Franklin Road to the township border, and constructing new paths along Square Lake Road, Franklin Road, Woodward Avenue and Telegraph. In addition, the township will use money designated for the 2010 program to repair safety paths in various locations, including the sidewalks in Bloomfield Village. Residents and property owners adjacent to the routes have been notified, meetings have been held, and additional notification will be sent prior to construction, according to Domine. Audia Concrete Construction, Inc. was awarded a contract for the 2010 projects. They were the low bidder at $805,380. Money for the 2010 program comes from a safety path millage collected in the township. “All the proposed paths are included in our safety path master plan,” said Township Supervisor Dave Payne. “The program has always been very popular. We year from today, we could be faced with a $780,000 fund deficit. By the end of the 2013-14 fiscal year, without increasing our millage, we will have a $6.83 million deficit in our fund balance.” She specified that the city has

have several paths installed in the township, and we are still, always, getting calls from residents requesting more.” MDOT has offered to install additional safety paths along Telegraph Road at no charge to the township. “MDOT has received funding from the Federal Highway Administration for reconstructing Telegraph Road between 14 Mile Road and Long Lake Road,” Domine said. “This program includes the reconstruction of some of the existing safety paths and the construction of new safety paths along Telegraph at no cost to the township.” The new safety paths to be constructed along Telegraph Road — in accordance with the township’s safety path master plan — include stretches from 14 Mile Road to Sandalwood Drive, between Lone Pine Road and Andover Road, and between Orchard Way and the northern end of the West Quarton Road intersection, including a pedestrian crosswalk at Meadow Way and the southern end of the West Quarton Road intersection. Domine said the township asked that MDOT construct additional paths; however, MDOT funding is limited, so the department is only constructing safety paths within MDOT rights-of-way. The new paths, built by MDOT, will be installed as part of the Telegraph Road reconstruction project this summer. ■ four choices: it can increase taxes through a millage increase; enact cost savings by privatizing services, decreasing services, and decreasing personnel; eliminate non-essential services; or some combination of the other three options.

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“A 1-mill increase wouldn’t decrease the budget gap,” she said. “We need to increase the millage 1.5 (mills) to get us through for now. By increasing it 2 mills, it eliminates the budget gap for one year, and in 2012-13, we have a positive fund balance. If we increase it 3 mills, it eliminates the budget gap for two of the three years.” Bloomfield Hills has the lowest per capita millage rate in Oakland County, at 8.31 mills. It has been at that rate for six years. The city can hike the millage by 6.4 mills without a vote of the people. A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is generally equal to half the property’s market value. Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne spoke before the City Commission at the request of Cravens, to explain how township and Birmingham officials have begun conversations on possibly consolidating dispatching services to cut costs. “We determined that to do it, there has to be measurable cost savings or it’s not worth it, and services have to be at the same level,” Payne said. “We can do that without any interruption of service.” Regarding Bloomfield Hills and potential discussions with township officials on consolidating services, Payne said “I believe nothing will take place unless it’s in the best interests of both communities.” Several city residents took the microphone at the commission meeting to express their affection and appreciation for the city’s public safety and dispatch officers, and uniformly stated they would rather pay a higher millage rate than change anything about public safety operations in their city. Marjorie Fisher spoke for many when she said, “What makes our community special is that we know (the dispatchers), and they know us. We don’t want strangers in our community.” “The worry about losing even one public safety officer is causing uncertainty in the community,” said George Keck. “Each of us has chosen Bloomfield Hills because of the (public safety officers), and because of the community. These are our first responders. We don’t want to be like all the other communities. That’s why we are here. When you sell a fire truck, it’s gone forever. So is our way of life (if you go with Bloomfield Township dispatching services).” City Commissioner Sarah McClure said she disagrees. “I don’t believe we need to raise the millage,” she said. “I want to study the budget to find money to ❯ cut.” Page 62 ■ 61

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One woman said, “Sarah, we’re happy to pay the extra taxes. That’s why we came here.” Another said, “We like it the way it is. We cannot make it any clearer.” Based on public comments and Lorenz’ budget proposal, Commissioner Pat Hardy made a motion to approve a 1.5-mill increase in city taxes for the 201011 budget while more studies and spending cuts are made. “We should get on with it,” she said. “For five years, our finance directors have been encouraging us to have a millage increase.” “I feel it’s untimely,” said City Commissioner Michael Zambricki. City Commissioner Bob Toohey also disagreed with the idea of raising the city’s millage rate. “I want more time to look at it,” he said. “I believe there are services to cut before we look at a millage increase of 1.5.” Hardy’s motion to raise the millage rate died without support. City attorney Bill Hampton reminded commissioners they have until Monday, May 31 to approve a city budget for 2010-11. On the way out of City Hall, several residents expressed their displeasure at commissioners’ refusal

to act after listening to residents asking for a millage increase and demanding no change in the city’s public safety operations. ■

Problem with Rizzo, SOCCRA resolved by township By Brooke Meier An amendment to the trash hauler contract between Rizzo Services and Bloomfield Township has been authorized by the township board, following the resolution of a problem between Rizzo and the Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA). Meghan Bonfiglio, the township’s public works manager, said SOCRRA notified the township in October 2009 that there might be a problem with Rizzo Services. According to an internal investigation, it was found that Rizzo was delivering township yard waste to the SOCRRA compost facility for disposal. The township is not a member of SOCRRA, so it can’t dispose of yard waste through SOCRRA. Township Supervisor Dave Payne said the problem wasn’t a big issue ❯ Page 63 ■

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and that it’s been resolved properly. “They made a mistake, but it’s been corrected.” The SOCRRA investigation found that Rizzo had misled SOCRRA as to which municipality the yard waste was coming from. This, Bonfiglio said, was a breach of Rizzo’s contract with the township. A complaint was filed against Rizzo with the Michigan State Police, but the matter was settled prior to the completion of the investigation, and no criminal charges were filed. Rizzo paid SOCRRA $272,000 for damages and the disposal costs incurred in handling the Bloomfield Township yard waste. Because of the breach of contract, township staff, the township attorney and auditor drafted an amendment to the current refuse contract with Rizzo, requiring the hauler to pay the township approximately $72,000 for costs and damages as a result of the breach of contract. Bonfiglio said the amendment will also allow the township to terminate the agreement with Rizzo Services at anytime, at its sole discretion; require Rizzo to place global positioning systems (GPS) on all trucks and allow the township to monitor locations; require that one route supervisor be assigned to the township at all times; and require Rizzo to provide daily dump tickets and facility licenses for landfills. The amended contract was signed by Payne and sent to Rizzo Services for a signature. ■

Commission split in backing trial period for garage sales By Lisa Brody Following a request by 11-yearold Katie Baxter of Bloomfield Hills to hold a garage sale to raise money and donate it to the Michigan Humane Society, the Bloomfield Hills City Commission has adopted rules of procedure to hold garage sales in the community on a limited basis. The commissioners agreed, by a vote of 3-2, to allow residents to hold garage sales during June, July, and August of this year. They then will determine whether to permanently authorize garage sales. Mayor Pro Tem Pat Hardy and Commissioners Mike Zambricki and Bob Toohey voted to allow residents to hold garage sales this summer; Mayor Michael McCready and Commissioner Sarah McClure voted against allowing garage sales. According to City Manager Jay Cravens, citizens will be allowed to begin holding garage sales June 1, and may continue to do so through Aug. 31, 2010. “As part of this trial period, I sugwww.oaklandpaper.com

New economic development tool Birmingham offers liquor licenses to spur restaurant projects By Lisa Brody

irmingham city commissioners have adopted a series of ordinances to govern the availability and allocation of economic development liquor licenses in the city. In December, city commissioners directed the Planning Board to review zoning ordinance amendments required to implement an economic development liquor license option, determine geographic areas for the use of such licenses, requirements for the financial investment necessary to obtain a license, and limit the number of licenses available in any given year. Birmingham City Planner Jana Ecker presented the Planning Board’s recommendations to the City Commission at the May 10 meeting. Six ordinances were presented to the commissioners, and all were approved. An economic development liquor license is designed as a tool for economic development in a specific area of the city. The initiative was originally examined by the City Commission in 2007, at the same time the city’s bistro licenses were under consideration. At that time, the commission decided to try the bistro license program, with the option of returning to the economic development liquor license program in the future. According to Ecker, the Planning Board recommended that there be a required 500 percent increase and/or at least $10 million investment in a building, whichever is less, to qualify for an economic development license, allowing for flexibility and intangibles in the determination process. Economic development liquor licenses would gested a set of rules be developed to provide a straight-forward process for residents to follow in obtaining a permit,” Craven said. “The rules are largely based on the garage sale regulations that the city of Huntington Woods has in place.” Homeowners wanting to hold a garage sale must first apply for a permit from the city manager before advertising the sale in a newspaper. The city manager’s office will provide residents with two garage sale signs and no parking signs for posting along adjacent roadways. A $75 garage sale permit fee will be collected; of that, $50 is refundable when

be available in the city’s Triangle District and Woodward Avenue frontage, both east and west, from Lincoln up to Poppleton, including in the city’s Overlay District, with certain buildings meeting the criteria and definition. None of those areas are adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Qualified buildings must be a minimum of three-stories tall. “We have identified certain buildings and parcels in each of these zoning districts,” she said. “We believe (the economic development liquor licenses) should be allowed under a special land use permit, like the bistro licenses, which would give the commission control and approval on each license. Applicants would enter into a (special land use) contract with the city. The contract — and the liquor license — couldn’t be transferred to a different location without commission approval and there is once again another significant investment in a building. The (special land use permit) can be revoked if the contract is violated. Also, the license is tied to the site, and cannot be sold. “We only want restaurants,” she said. “Applicants would only be able to get a (special land use permit) for an economic development license with a restaurant.” “So, if down the road, they wanted to change the concept or establishment, they would have to come before the commission again?” asked Commissioner Stuart Sherman. “Yes, that would not fall into the (special land use permit),” Ecker answered. “They couldn’t just change the concept to ‘Rumors Nightclub.’” Mayor Rackeline Hoff questioned whether an economic development undamaged temporary no parking signs are returned to the city’s Public Safety Department. Only usual household and clothing items are permitted to be sold at the garage sales. The sale must be contained within a house or garage, and may not be held in an open yard area. Neighbors may hold joint sales. A sale can’t be held for more than two consecutive days, and sale signs must be placed on the home’s property, or within the adjacent right of way. Off-site signs are not allowed, and only signs approved by the city manager’s office will be allowed. On-street parking for a sale will

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liquor license would be in direct competition with Class C liquor licenses. Ecker responded that she believes the economic development licenses would increase the value of Class C licenses “because to get an economic development license, you have to make a $10 million investment, you can’t transfer it, it’s limited to its location, and you can’t sell it.” At previous meetings, city commissioners wanted to limit the availability of economic development liquor licenses to two a year, and make them available at the expense of bistro licenses — if a new economic development liquor license is issued, one bistro license would no longer be available for that year. The Planning Board disagreed with that thinking, asserting that these are two different kinds of licenses, meeting different criteria and needs. The planners recommended offering two of each type of license every year. “A convincing case says you shouldn’t limit these if you want to use this as an incentive for growth,” said City Manager Tom Markus. “These are major investments; there are very few of them that would be eligible. The commission would have ultimate control. Why limit it to two a year? I say, don’t limit them.” “This is another tool for creating investment in the city,” Ecker said. Commissioner George Dilgard said he believes the economic development licenses should be restricted to just the city’s Triangle District. All of the other commissioners approved all six ordinances as recommended by the Planning Board. ■ be restricted to the side of the road where the sale is being conducted, in order to assure emergency vehicle access to the area. Bloomfield Hills has long allowed residents to hold estate sales, with proper licensing; but, the city hasn’t permitted garage sales for several years. Cravens said that several years ago, some city residents cited concerns about people from outside the community coming to garage sales and casing out Bloomfield Hills homes, which prompted the city’s garage sale ban. “There is a high demand for privacy here,” he said. ■ 63

■ municipal Bistro can expand outdoor seating; wine tasting OK’d By Lisa Brody The Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro on Bates in downtown Birmingham will expand its outdoor seating area and offer wine tasting in its retail establishment, following recent action by the Birmingham City Commission. A revised site plan and special land use permit amendment were approved for the business following a public hearing before the commission on May 10. Owner Mindy VanHellemont has opened a separate retail wine store adjacent to the bistro, and had requested permission to offer patrons the opportunity to purchase samples of wines to taste on the premises. They would not be able to walk out of the store with the wine samples, and no food will be served there. VanHellemont, whose restaurant originally purchased two parking spots on Bates to have a platform built for outdoor seating, came back to the commission with a revised site plan requesting to purchase a third parking spot in order to provide more outdoor seating. Mayor Rackeline Hoff had problems with both requests. “They are trying to double the size of their restaurant with the outdoor eating area,” she said. “The bistros are meant to be small. This is not keeping it small. With three parking spots, they’ll have up to 113 (outdoor) seats.” In 2007, the Birmingham City Commission adopted a zoning ordinance allowing the development of bistro licenses for eateries in the downtown district. Its intent was to encourage smaller dining establishments to set up shop around Birmingham without having to acquire one of the limited Class C liquor licenses. Among the requirements which restaurateurs must follow in order to get one of the coveted bistro licenses is having a full-service kitchen; a full indoor and outdoor site plan; and no more than 65 interior seats total, including no more than 10 at the bar. They are allowed to have lowkey entertainment; there must be tables in windows lining the street; and it’s required that the bistro have outdoor seating, either on the sidewalk outside the establishment or on a patio platform in a parking space outside the restaurant. The establishment must pay the city to lease the parking space for the season. Commissioners Stuart Sherman and Mark Nickita disagreed with Hoff. “We were limiting the inside of the eating area, not the outside,” Sherman said. “We wanted to 64

Land acquisition deal City buying land for transit center tunnel By Lisa Brody

irmingham has entered into a purchase agreement with the Birmingham Schools Board of Education to acquire two small parcels of property at the end of Holland Street, west of Eton, to provide access to the Birmingham/Troy intermodal transit center. The city will pay the school district $270,000 for the parcels. The transit center building, to be situated off of Doyle Drive, behind Midtown Square in Troy, will be approximately 2,400 square feet, with a waiting area, ticket seller space, restrooms, kiosk area, and janitor space. It’s designed as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building, with a green roof; recycling for a water irrigation system; geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and LED lighting. Its construction will include the use of recycled materials. While the passenger trains running along the tracks at the border of the two cities are owned by Amtrak, the rails themselves are owned by Canadian National, which only permits pas-

increase the outdoor seating to activate the street.” “It’s activating the adjacent street area,” Nickita said. “That street was completely dead, and this restaurant has woken up that street.” Hoff also objected to what she said she considers a second “bar” in the wine tasting area of the retail establishment. “I don’t see the wine tasting area as a ‘bar.’ It’s an area to taste the wine before you buy it,” said Commissioner Gordon Rinschler. The commissioners approved the two resolutions in 5-2 votes, with Hoff and Commissioner George Dilgard opposing the requests. ■

Combined sewer overflow project granted approval By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved a petition for rehabilitation of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) Chapter 20 drainage district. In 1994, Bloomfield Township petitioned the Oakland County Water

new service rates based on flow volume. Because the township has a CSO system, there is more wastewater flow in the sewer pipes, and any cracks can lead to stormwater getting into the pipes and increasing the flow — thus increasing the total billable amount divided among customers. “We hope that, if we need to make repairs, this can keep stormwater from leaking into the pipes and increasing the flow,” Payne said. Domine agreed. “The (Water Resources Commissioner’s Office) conversion in billing methods gives reason for communities to tighten up their sewer systems and eliminate inflow and infiltration sources as much as possible,” he said. The project scope includes using video cameras to inspect over 34,000 linear feet of sewer line less than 24 inches in diameter, as well as inspecting upwards of 500 manholes. Domine said, based on the inspection findings, the rehabilitation work will be a priority, and a contractor will be selected for the work. The project cost could be as high as $3.5 million, assuming that 50 percent of the sewer lines need rehabilitation. The approved petition will allow Domine to proceed with the inspection and rehabilitation of sewers. Once the inspection is complete, the township will draw up plans, finalize costs and find sources of funding. ■

sengers to board from the Birmingham side, necessitating construction of a pedestrian tunnel beneath the tracks and connecting to the transit center, which will be situated on the Troy side of tracks. Birmingham Schools currently uses the property to store school buses. Neither of the parcels sold to the city are the district’s bus yard, at Lincoln and Eton roads, which the city considered for a dog park earlier in the year. “The purpose of purchasing this property is for ingress and egress to the tunnel,” said Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus. Birmingham still needs a third piece of property to complete its land acquisition efforts related to the pedestrian tunnel. Markus said the city hasn’t yet made an offer on another property, although the city has identified the parcel it wants to acquire. “It’s sequential. We had to acquire the first two first,” he said. The purchase agreement on the bus storage property is subject to final grant funding. The city has 180 days to close on the purchase. ■

Township enacts non-conforming sign ordinance

Resources Commissioner’s Office for the establishment of a Chapter 20 Bloomfield Township CSO Drain, according to Wayne Domine, engineering and environmental director for the township. “Upon the establishment of the drainage district and concurrent with the CSO construction, Bloomfield Township proceeded to inspect, replace and rehabilitate sewers in the district,” Domine stated in a memo to the township board. “As a result of the overall CSO project, the township agreed to maintain the sewers less than 24 inches in diameter, and the (Water Resources Commissioner’s Office) maintains all sewers 24 inches in diameter and larger.” Township Supervisor Dave Payne said it’s time again for the township to inspect the sewer lines it’s responsible for and make any necessary repairs. “The last time we did work on the CSO system we knew we would have to go back and do more,” he said. “That time has come.” The repairs, if necessary, could also help shore up costs paid by users. This year, the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office will institute

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a non-conforming sign ordinance, making compliance easier for local businesses. Patricia Voelker, the township’s director of planning, building and ordinance, said the amendment eliminates the 10-year deadline for removal of non-conforming signs; requires non-conforming signs to be removed when site plan review is required or there is a change in property ownership; establishes criteria by which non-conforming signs lose their designation; and allows the non-conforming sign content or sign design to be modified without requiring removal of the sign. Under the amendment, a non-conforming sign will lose its designation if the structure of the sign is altered in any way which tends to or makes the sign further out of compliance with the requirements of the chapter than it was before the alteration; the sign is relocated to a position making it further out of compliance with the requirements of the chapter; or the sign is replaced or modified in any way with the exception of changes to the design content or display as approved by the Design Review Board. ■

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JUNE 2010

■ the community house

t seems that everyone is going green these days and we think that you should too! Join us on July 24 when we proudly host our second annual Green Breeze green living fair right in the heart of downtown Birmingham. This year’s event will be held in conjunction with the Principal Shopping District’s Day on the Town. Our Green Breeze event will feature 100 eco-friendly vendors who will exhibit everything from green cleaning products to repurposed accessories. The vendors will be located on Old Woodward between Brown Street and Merrill Street and will continue west on Merrill Street, ending just east of Pierce Shelley Roberts Street. The vendors will line the curbs of the streets with tents allowing free flow of pedestrian traffic to enjoy each and every display. To give you a sneak peek, Burlap Boutique LLC will be selling stylishly hip and unique bags and pillows made from refurbished coffee bean bags; VegMichigan, a non-profit vegetarian organization, will be promoting the health, environmental and ethical benefits of a plantbased diet; and Green Daffodil Studio will be selling its delightful all natural handmade soaps and soy candles. We will also have complimentary green lectures scheduled throughout the day. In addition, there will be plenty of free activities for children to enjoy while they learn how to make their world more environmentallyfriendly. Peace Love and Planet will teach kids how to create flowers out of repurposed plastics. Handmade Detroit will also be on hand to create recycled crafts with the kids. We are also partnering with the non-profit organization A-Shirt Bag by collecting tank tops in the lower level of The Community House to be made into shopping totes! They will be filled with goodies and coupons and sold for a nominal charge to benefit both The Community House and A-Shirt Bag. Visit ashirtbag.blogspot.com for details. The Green Breeze exhibit is sponsored by The Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers, and the event hours are 9 a.m. to 7p.m. Companies or individuals who wish to support the event can do so by sponsoring one of the following Green Breeze components: Lectures, Event Brochure and Vendors. We know that our vendors and sponsors will enjoy tremendous visibility and opportunities to showcase their latest products to the over 10,000 people who will be attending the event. For information on becoming a sponsor or a vendor, please visit our website, www.communityhouse.com. The Uptown Group (TUG), a collection of young professionals and community members dedicated to advancing the principles and goals of The Community House, has been eager to join our green initiatives by planning their own unique environmentally-friendly event to compliment Green Breeze. TUG’s Green Breeze Fashion Show for Land Conservation will take place Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. The Show will feature internationally-acclaimed designer Jeff Garner and his all-sustainable line, Prophetik. Entertainment includes a live band, DJ, food and drink stations. All proceeds will be donated to The Greening of Detroit and The Community House. You can find more information at www.theuptowngroup.org. Finally, if you want to enjoy our beautiful, green summer, our very own Van Dusen Terrace is the very best place to do so. Beautifully tented, with chandeliers, Palladium windows and a brick floor, you and your guests can enjoy our delicious food and beverages while viewing our very special Tribute Terrace and the new and beautiful Shain Park. Enjoy our great wine tasting classes on the Terrace or book your graduation, shower, wedding or party there. I promise you that you will love it! I look forward to seeing you at The Community House! ■ Shelley Roberts is president and CEO of The Community House. www.oaklandpaper.com

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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Michigan Humane Society’s Bow Wow Brunch

Michigan Humane Society’s Bow Wow Brunch Animal lovers, 530 strong, flocked to the 21st annual Bow Wow Brunch April 18 at the Ritz-Carlton. Some sipped champagne while perusing the extensive silent auction and the four-legged guests. Others checked out the Great Adoption Bailout, for which six hypothetical doghouses were occupied by good sports who volunteered to “stay” until people had donated $5,000 for their release. At the conclusion, Ford VP/Controller Bob Shanks was named the “Top Dog,” having raised the most funds. GM’s Bob Lutz and GM’s Chris Liddell also met the goal. MTI Films’ Marvin Towns, WDIV’s Lauren Podell, filling in for WDIV’s Eric Braate, who was stuck in a European airport, and MHS’ Debby MacDonald and Mark Ramos got close enough to the goal to merit release. Auctioneer Joe Walker also got someone to pay $5,500 for a dinner party at Bob and Denise Lutz’s home. And, with the help of Linda Axe, who bought the same donation last year, Walker got $4,000 for a flight with Bob in his Soviet fighter jet. The silent and live auctions each raised approximately $25,000, bringing the event proceeds to $250,000. This will enable the MHS to transform the lives of 2,000 at-risk animals. Seven of the nine adoptable animal guests were selected by loving new owners. Blackie and Suzie Q were not so lucky. If they are still available, they’ll likely be at the Meet Your Best Friend at the (Detroit) Zoo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 1–2. MHS, along with about 20 other animal welfare organizations, will have hundreds of animals eagerly awaiting a forever family. For all the details go to www.michiganhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Zoo.

American Diabetes Association’s Commitment for a Cure Gala More than 460 diabetes fighters glammed up for the ADA annual benefit April 17 at the MGM Grand, where planners played the James Bond/License to Cure party theme to the hilt. The speeches, videos and program were all on the mission theme. They even profiled the three nominees for the Champion Awardee as People of Interest in a video, suspensefully delaying the announcement of winner Ann Marie Schoenherr until after the live auction. Conducted by Charles Wickins with his British accent, it raised $17,525. Combined with the silent auction bidding ($18,980), campership pledges, tickets and sponsorships, the sophisticated evening, which included popular late-night casino gaming, raised some $253,000.

Viewing Dateline’s “America Now: City of Heartbreak and Hope” Left to right, top to bottom: Maddie Gerson (left) of Bloomfield with adoptable Blackie and event committee members Pam Towns of Bloomfield, Noreen Wagner of Rochester Hills and Cathy Saubier and Linda Axe of Grosse Pointe. “Doghouse” occupants Bob Lutz (left) of Ann Arbor and Bob Shanks of Birmingham. Madison and Yvonne McCready of Bloomfield. Karen and Fritz Henderson of Bloomfield. Stephanie Baron (left) of Troy with Rob and MHS board chair Beth Correa of Birmingham. Peggy Novick (center) of Oak Park with Hannah and Barry Novick of Bloomfield. (Peggy is holding the mini doghouse table centerpiece that she claimed because it belonged to “Marvin,” her late husband’s name.) Omar (left) and Sharla Ahmed of Royal Oak with Celeste Mathieus of Bloomfield and Cate Strumbos of Birmingham. Diane & Sam Greenwalt of Bloomfield (at the silent auction display).

Because Beyond Basics, an organization whose volunteers tutor Detroit school children in reading, writing, publishing and art, had been involved in the filming for Chris Hansen’s Dateline NBC story about Detroit, BB board member Linda Orlans invited some BB supporters to a viewing party. And because WDIV’s Paula Tutman and a film crew attended, the post show scene was more like a town hall meeting than a social. There was no denying that the program was heavier on “heartbreak” than “hope.” But, as board member Jack Krasula remarked to Tutman, “If Detroit were a stock, now (would be the time to buy).” Many of the 40 guests were disappointed that such a small portion of the BBrelated segments were aired, but, as founder Pam Good noted, “Every little bit (of exposure) helps spread the word.” All were pleased to meet Cordette Grantling, the hard-working, single, foster mom who was really the star of the show. In fact, her determination and courage in the face of daunting odds personifies Detroit’s hope. And her son Dante’s success in the BB tutoring program, which brought his reading up to grade level in six weeks, is why BB’s volunteers do what they do. In the show, one of Grantling’s sons was wearing a Robert Dempster-designed shirt with the legend: “Detroit Rocks when Detroit reads.”

Celebrating Italy at Tender Italian Counsel Marco Nobili and his wife Elisa were among those attending Cheryl and Karen Daskas’ open house at Tender, their upscale Birmingham boutique April 14. People sipped, and supped Italian-accented fare and socialized at the strictly social event. It was Tender’s way to share with the community its selection as “An Italian Style Leader” by the Italian Trade Commission and Harper’s Bazaar.

Cranbrook Academy of Art Graduate Degree Exhibition Opening Because Cranbrook’s Art Museum is under construction, the graduate degree exhibition is installed at MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit). The opening reception April 17 attracted more than 2,000, including the 76 grads, many of their proud parents and trustees like Maxine Frankel, Lynda (& Ron) Charfoos, Maggie (& Bob) Allesee, Karen Swanson, Peter Robinson, Christine 66

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JUNE 2010

Strumbos, Evie (& Vern) Wheat, Marilyn Finkel, Mark Schwartz, Susu Sosnick, Janice Steinhardt and Bob Wilson, to name a few. For some, the evening began and ended at trustee Bud Leibler’s nearby restaurant, The Whitney. The show is always notable for its variety and complexity. It will be at MOCAD through May 9. For hours and special events go to www.mocadetroit.org.

Variety’s Table Tops Luncheon The Benefactor Party at a Bloomfield Hills home the night before Variety’s third annual Table Tops Luncheon was notable for the warm hospitality of the hosts, Matt Prentice’s catering, Ben Sharkey’s jazz trio’s music and, most notably, the architecture, design and landscaping of the outstanding traditional family residence. Although it’s new, the comfortable, low-key elegance gives the impression that it has been there for decades. And Lucy Earl, who designed the home’s interior and co-chaired Table Tops with Jeffrey King, kept quite busy conducting tours of the home. Earl, King and Variety president Kelly Shuert and their spouses, co-hosted the Benefactor Party. It attracted 125, including many table designers and last year’s hosts Patti and Jim Prowse. The luncheon the next day attracted a sold out crowd of 318 to Pine Lake Country Club. Most arrived early to view the 36 tables Many bought pick-your-prize raffle tickets for a donated object from 31 of the tables. The 52-card raffle for four premiere table donations was won by Kathy Mehnert, Sue Goepp, Anju Bradbine and Ellen Rogers. King donated his premiere table to be auctioned and it brought a winning bid of $3,000. Before lunch King and Earl welcomed guests and thanked the designers and event founders Lisa Petrella and Karen deKoker before Traditional Home Magazine’s Krissa Rossbund presented a slide presentation. Like the Benefactor Party home, the slides depicted “…classic taste and modern life.” As she did last year, Emmy Awardwinning Fox 2’s Monica Gayle served as emcee and introduced Michelle Murphy. Murphy and her daughter Annabelle were not only the co-stars of last year’s Table Tops event, they also were featured in a follow up Fox 2 report on the Variety Myoelectric Center. It’s the only North American comprehensive program for children with limb deficiencies. Other Fox affiliates carried the report, and, as Murphy detailed, a new mom in Missouri named Jennifer saw it. Like Annabelle, her baby Kaitlyn was born with just one arm. Subsequently, Jennifer contacted Variety and Kaitlyn will soon be fitted for her first prosthesis at the VMC. As gorgeous as www.oaklandpaper.com

■ American Diabetes Association’s Commitment for a Cure Gala Clockwise from upper left: Auction donor Birmingham jeweler Richard Astrein with committee member Lisa Muma of Troy. (Her husband bought her the diamond necklace Astrein donated.) Helen and Tarik Daoud of Bloomfield. Sherry Brown (left) and Melissa Powser of Clinton Township. Bonnie Jobe (center) of Bloomfield with Helen & Don Baker of Harrison Township. Event co-sponsors Paul & Colleen Ziegler of Bloomfield.

■ Watching Dateline Detroit in Birmingham

Clockwise from upper left: Tom Douglas (left) of West Bloomfield, (who was featured in Dateline show) and Joe Grace of Bloomfield. Detroit Education Conference: The Urgency of Now! Founder Rachele Downs of Detroit makes a point to WDIV’s Paula Tutman. Event hostess Linda Orlans and her Birmingham neighbor Barbara Van Dusen. Beyond Basics art director Francine Grace (left) of Bloomfield, event hostess/Beyond Basics board member attorney Linda Orlans of Birmingham, star of the Dateline show Cordette Grantling of Detroit, Charlayne Watkins of Bloomfield and Beyond Basics founder Pam Good of Birmingham.

■ Tender’s Italian Celebration

Clockwise from upper left: Christine Strumbos (left) and her mother Cate of Birmingham. Vera Muzzillo (left) and Kim Runco of Birmingham and Tracy Pine of Auburn Hills. Clinton Baller (left) and Chris Longe of Birmingham. Luca Savi (left) of Birmingham, Domenico Marra of Dearborn and Ariel Gavilan of Auburn Hills checking out a Fiat 500, due on the market late 2010.

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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Cranbrook Academy of Art Graduate Degree Exhibition Opening Reception

were all the tables and the Benefactor Party home, this heartwarming saga embodies the basic beauty of the Table Tops event.

Run for the Roses

Clockwise from upper left: CAA painting graduate Sun Young Kwon of Birmingham in front of her collage “Places”. Randy Pardy (left), Linda Orlans and Evie and Vern Wheat of Birmingham. Cranbrook Art Museum director Greg Whitkopp and MOCAD director Luis Croquer. James Anthony (left) and CAA graduate Melissa St. Cloud of Detroit with her mother Patti and brother Timothy McGorty of Grandville, MA. In the background “Dollymentary”. CAA graduates Jessica Coven (left) of Royal Oak and Michael Boswell and Elle Kim of Bloomfield.

■ Variety’s Table Tops Benefactor Party

Linda Luchi and her Catholic Social Services’ spring gala Run for the Roses committee not only got most of the women to don hats a la the Kentucky Derby, they also inspired CSSOC board chair Bill Mott to wear a straw hat and speak with a southern drawl when he greeted the 220 guests before dinner in the Townsend ballroom. Folks first bid $13,500 in the silent auction. Like the live auction which followed dinner, it was chaired by Gina Forbes and Ann Calice. Two of the 11 live auction items provided highlights. Luchi’s enthusiasm got the bidding for a Mr. Song Millinery hat, like the one that starred in the presidential inauguration, up to around $900. And Cyndy and Sean Canty’s donation of their home in County Cork, Ireland for a week’s vacation brought the highest bid of the night - $3,500. CSSOC loyalists know that Cyndy was the first child adopted through the agency. The $90,000 raised by Run for the Roses will help the agency continue to protect children, strengthen families and care for the elderly.

Project HOPE’s Run for the Roses

Clockwise from upper left: Designers Paul Feiten (left), Shirley Maddelena and Michael Coyne with Phil Mara of Bloomfield. Diana Johnson (left) and Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield, honorary committee members Kathy Broock Ballard of Orchard Lake and Ellen Rogers of Birmingham and committee member Sheryl Briggs of Orchard Lake. Event cohosts Kelly Shuert (left) and Lucy Earl of Bloomfield with guest speaker Traditional Home’s Krissa Rossbund of Des Moines, IA. Designer Phyllis Whitehead (left) with honorary committee member Lynn Liddle of Birmingham. Event co-hosts Ben Earl (left) of Bloomfield and Jeffrey King of Birmingham. Honorary committee member Susan Zinger (left) of Bloomfield with Karen Gaudette and committee member Felicia Palazzolo Shaw of Birmingham. Honorary committee members Susan Paroly (left) of Bloomfield and Patty Padilla of Birmingham with Kari Gillette of Beverly Hills.

Hats and horses starred at the Women’s Division Project HOPE’s Run for the Roses on Derby Day at Bloomfield Open Hunt. Before dining, guests watched a live demonstration of jumping and dressage, narrated by past BOH president Barbara Goldberg and trainer Jennifer Wright, and a video of Olympic equestrian events. Event chair Susan Willis Reickert also presented a history of BOH from fox hunting in 1917 through 1965 followed by polo, dressage and jumping. A display of equestrian fashions flanked the dining room entrance where the tables were centered with arrangements of roses, carrots and apples. There was also a Derby lottery, in which Bill Tomanek was the first place winner, and a silent auction, that raised more than $2,325. But hats, both on heads and in a display made for competition, were the talk of the party. Millie Pastor’s was resurrected from a long ago Ascot party and Patricia Hill Burnett’s was bought from Jill Miller last year at the Belle Isle Women’s Committee luncheon. When DIA curator Nancy Barr had finished judging the dozen submitted for competition, two by Willis Reickert and one by Bonnie Jobe were selected as win, place and show. They were on exhibit this past weekend at Saks Fifth Avenue.

25 years of Supporting JAM Time matters. Twenty-five years ago Time Magazine ran a story on a severe 68

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JUNE 2010

drought in Africa and the suffering it caused. The article touched the hearts of Laurie and Tom Cunnington who, shortly thereafter, were introduced by Birmingham businessman Tom Demery to Peter Pretorius, a South African businessman. Pretorius had seen the devastation firsthand and resolved to feed the African children. To do so, he formed what would become JAM (Joint Aid Management) and was in the US looking for support. The Cunningtons were impressed by his plans and, over the years, have not only provided financial support but have made many trips to Africa to help dig water wells, build food factories and hug the kids who are now flourishing in JAM’s schools and orphanages. And, when Pretorius comes to town, they also introduce their friends to him at a cocktail party which features, in addition to splendid hospitality, updates and videos of the situation in Africa. This spring’s gathering for nearly 90 people (too many for the Cunnington’s Birmingham condo) was hosted by Renee and Steve Read. Pretorius brought news that crop failure caused by a drought in southern Sudan had suddenly increased the number of malnourished children from 850,000 to 4.2-million. The Cunningtons’ guests have responded. As of three weeks after the party, Laurie reports that they have donated more than $100,000 (which they knew will be matched by the Cunningtons) and that several friends are taking a complete village to feed and educate. “We also have commitments to drill a few water wells in the Sudan...(in the last 25 years) lives have been saved, children have been educated, relief work has moved forward because of the dedication of this small group of global minded people,” she added. More information about JAM is available at www.jamint.com. JAM will also benefit from proceeds of the fourth annual golf outing Nathan Conway is chairing Monday, Sept. 13 at Pine Lake Country Club.

■ Variety’s Table Tops Luncheon

Clockwise from upper left: Birthday party-in-aparty hostess/honorary committee member Maggie Allesee (standing) of Bloomfield with her daughter-in-law Adele Acheson (left) of W. Bloomfield and daughters Shirley Shirock of Novi (the birthday girl) and Kathy Cooke of Northville. (At the premier table they designed for Rariden Schumacher Mio & Co.) designers Michelle Mio (left) of Birmingham and Jill Schumacher of Ferndale with honorary committee member Linda Bomberski and her mother Charlotte Blocki of Troy. Event co-founder Karen deKoker (left) of Bingham Farms, committee member Judy Solomon of Birmingham and honorary committee member Kathy Mehnert of Bloomfield at Stephanie & Timothy O’Neill’s table for O’NeillHarrington Interiors. Designer Paul Feiten of Bloomfield at his table for Paul Feiten Design. Iris Griffiths (left) and Jeanne Hackett of Bloomfield at Penny Heideman’s table for Interiors by Holmes, LLC. Marianne Hauswirth (left) of Birmingham, Jody Verwilst and Julie Edgar of Rochester Hills and Jeannette Keramidjian of W. Bloomfield at Kristen Catto Armstrong’s table for KirstenCatto Interior Design. Amateur designers Diana Johnson (left) and Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield (in skirts matching the “Killer Butterflies” table they decorated). Missy Mark (left) and Mary Pollard of Birmingham at Georgia Siklick’s table for Georgia & Associates, Inc. Immediately below: JonesKeena & Co.’s premiere table designed by event co-chair Lucy Earl and Nicole Withers.

Eisenhower Dance Take My Lead There was never a dull moment at the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble benefit at The Community House. In addition to dining and dancing themselves, the 125 guests watched the dance performances interspersed with live auction bidding ($9,200), bid on silent auctions items ($3,360) and watched the choreography contest. Maggie Allesee, event co-chair with Carol Halsted, played bag lady during the live auction by offering winning bidders colorful totes. Halsted, Stephen Fleck and Marty Testasecca competed for votes (i.e. dollars) in the contest featuring pairs of EDE dancers. Guests voted with dollars and Testasecca beat out the other two by one dollar. Many www.oaklandpaper.com

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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Catholic Social Services of Oakland County’s Run for the Roses

stayed until midnight to take advantage of the DJ music.

Variety’s Table Tops Luncheon

Top row, left to right: Adam (left) & Mary Schuster with past event chairs Jenny & John Keegan of Bloomfield. Mike (left) & Patty Moran and Julie & Paul Lyon of Bloomfield (Mike and Paul are past CSSOC board members). Committee member Vicki Lagnemma (left) of Commerce and past board member Annette DeLorenzo of Bloomfield. Middle row: Event chair Linda Luchi of Commerce (in the Mr. Song hat she won in the live auction). Auction co-chairs Anne Calice (left) of Troy and Gina Forbes of Bloomfield. Gale Forbes (left) of Bloomfield and Mary Ellen Scott of Rochester Hills. At left: Mary Jo Johnson (left) and Marcia Swain of Birmingham.

■ Women’s Division Project HOPE’s Run for the Roses

Clockwise from upper left: Beverly Farley (left) of Farmington Hills with honorary co-chairs Maggie Allesee and Sue Nine of Bloomfield. Christine Strumbos (left) of Bloomfield and her namesake / granddaughter Christine Strumbos of Birmingham. Committee member and hat making contest winner Bonnie Jobe of Bloomfield. Jackie Piceu (left) of Birmingham, Millie Pastor of Bloomfield and honorary co-chair Cheryl Hall Lindsay of West Bloomfield. Mark (left) & Diane Williams of W. Bloomfield and Pierre & Brigit deSmetiof Bloomfield. Event chair Susan Willis-Reickert (left) and WD president Anita Hedeen of Bloomfield.

The Benefactor Party at a Bloomfield Hills home the night before Variety’s third annual Table Tops Luncheon was notable for the warm hospitality of the hosts, Matt Prentice’s catering, Ben Sharkey’s jazz trio’s music and, most notably, the architecture, design and landscaping of the outstanding traditional family residence. Although it’s new, the comfortable, low-key elegance gives the impression that it has been there for decades. And Lucy Earl, who designed the home’s interior and co-chaired Table Tops with Jeffrey King, kept quite busy conducting tours of the home. Earl, King and Variety president Kelly Shuert and their spouses, co-hosted the Benefactor Party. It attracted 125, including many table designers and last year’s hosts Patti and Jim Prowse. The luncheon the next day attracted a sold out crowd of 318 to Pine Lake Country Club. Most arrived early to view the 36 tables Many bought pick-your-prize raffle tickets for a donated object from 31 of the tables. The 52-card raffle for four premiere table donations was won by Kathy Mehnert, Sue Goepp, Anju Bradbine and Ellen Rogers. King donated his premiere table to be auctioned and it brought a winning bid of $3,000. Before lunch King and Earl welcomed guests and thanked the designers and event founders Lisa Petrella and Karen deKoker before Traditional Home Magazine’s Krissa Rossbund presented a slide presentation. Like the Benefactor Party home, the slides depicted “…classic taste and modern life.” As she did last year, Emmy Awardwinning Fox 2’s Monica Gayle served as emcee and introduced Michelle Murphy. Murphy and her daughter Annabelle were not only the co-stars of last year’s Table Tops event, they also were featured in a follow up Fox 2 report on the Variety Myoelectric Center. It’s the only North American comprehensive program for children with limb deficiencies. Other Fox affiliates carried the report, and, as Murphy detailed, a new mom in Missouri named Jennifer saw it. Like Annabelle, her baby Kaitlyn was born with just one arm. Subsequently, Jennifer contacted Variety and Kaitlyn will soon be fitted for her first prosthesis at the VMC. As gorgeous as were all the tables and the Benefactor Party home, this heartwarming saga embodies the basic beauty of the Table Tops event.

Committee for Hospice Care There were few dry eyes at the end of the WCHC Spring Luncheon which attracted 260 to the Townsend 70

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JUNE 2010

Hotel’s ballroom. Author Jeff Zaslow guaranteed that when he ended his speech by discussing The Last Lecture, the first of his three bestsellers. The heartening and heartbreaking story of Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pauch’s last months living with pancreatic cancer was especially appropriate for supporters of an organization which fundraises for hospice care. Another of Zaslow’s books, The Girls from Ames, was also relevant to the friendships WCHC members form. This was highlighted when honorary event chair Carolyn Flynn acknowledged the rewards of her 21-year long WCHC associations. In addition to the outstanding program, the event featured a raffle and mini silent auction ($6,700 – including $450 for one-week’s use of a smartfortwo car) and raised $30,000. This includes income from selling the handsome WCHC umbrella Somerset Collection produced. It can still be purchased ($26 – all dollars go to WCHC) by calling Linda Ebert at (248)593-6087.

Birmingham YMCA’s Comedy Slam So how does the Birmingham Family YMCA get a national comedian like Joe Nipote to come from California and stage a fundraiser for its Strong Kids Campaign? His sister Anna is married to the Y’s executive director Tony Pecoraro. And, to quote Y supporter Chris McLogan, the show Nipote produced was “awesome.” It attracted 270 to the Townsend Hotel’s ballroom to applaud him and six other entertainers, all of whom donated their talent. In between acts, a live auction raised $7,100 and the card raffle for 13 restaurant gift certificates, which was won by Gwen Leveque, raised $4,300. Two hundred of the show goers paid an extra $25 (on top of the $75 ticket) to attend the afterglow, where a slew of Nipote’s Southfield school days friends, who remembered him as “so funny”, crowded round. The evening netted $13,000 of the $100,000 Strong Kids Campaign goal. The fund is used to help kids and families with financial need participate in activities at the Y.

■ Celebrating 25 years of Supporting JAM

Clockwise from upper left: Vi (left) & Phil Vestevich and Katie Valenti of Bloomfield. David Curtis (center) of Birmingham with Dina and Patrick Cunnington of Bloomfield. JAM board member David Curtis (center) of Birmingham with Dan & Sandy Morrison of Bloomfield. Pam Good (left) of Birmingham, Peter Pretorius of So. Africa and Jack Krasula of Bloomfield. Laurie Cunnington (left) of Birmingham with JAM CEO Peter Pretorious of So. Africa and JAM USA president Babette Gainor of Washington, DC. Ethan (left) and Gretchen Davidson, Sam Valenti and Ruthie Underwood of Bloomfield. Tom Cunnington (left) of Birmingham, event hosts Steve & Renee Read of Bloomfield and Dana Curtis of Birmingham. Ken (left) & Kimberly Whipple and Shrik Mehta of Bloomfield. Neena Mehta (left), Nada Simon and Ardis Greene of Bloomfield.

■ Women’s Division Project HOPE’s Run for the Roses

Community House’s Fund Drive Loyal supporters of Birmingham’s historic meeting house socialized twice this month. Northern Trust Bank generously sponsored the first event, a reception and dinner in the Wallace Ballroom at TCH. It was notable for the camaraderie among the loyalists who know how dependent TCH is on their largesse, the salute to Jeanne Hackett on the occasion of her 91st birthday, and guest speaker Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s graphic description of www.oaklandpaper.com

Clockwise from upper left: Casey Powell (left) of Birmingham and Larry Bluth of Bloomfield. Julie Silver (left) of Royal Oak, Dale Sparage of Bloomfield, EDE board member Lynn Medow of Birmingham with her brother Dan Medow and Ron Elkus of Huntington Woods. Dr. Claude and Sandie Reitleman of Birmingham. Event patron Tom Halsted (left) of Bloomfield, EDE Artistic.

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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Women’s Committee for Hospice Care’s Spring Luncheon

her challenging job. Among the 110 guests was her proud father Clifford, a member of the TCH Senior Men’s Club. The second social was hosted by the 2010 Annual Fund Drive chairs Christa and Greg Schwartz, Sr. at the family’s investment company office building. The campaign kick off event, a cocktail buffet for 40 willing letter writers, was a far cry from the early years of TCH. The archives indicate that women of the community then stood on Birmingham’s street corners with a bucket to collect donations for maintaining the House. The years have brought many changes, but The House still welcomes everybody and has never received public funds.

Kadima’s Healthy Body & Mind Top row, left to right: Rita Dunker (left) of Birmingham with WCHC co-founder Valerie Straith of Bloomfield. Sylvia Hagenlocker (left) of Bloomfield and author/speaker Jeff Zaslow of W. Bloomfield. Committee members Yvonne Young-Capece (left) of Troy with Judie Sherman, Carolyn Birger and Linda Garcia of Bloomfield. Bottom row: Ashley Ebert (left) selling umbrellas with her mother/ committee member Linda Ebert of Bloomfield. Former Bloomfield resident / WCHC member Sharon Kania now of Bangkok with Esther Pamel (left) and Jan Forgione of Bloomfield. Linda Dekar (left) of Bloomfield and Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham.

■ Birmingham YMCA’s Joe Nipote’s Comedy Slam

Above, left to right: Event co-chairs Carey Cornacchini (left) of Bloomfield and Mixie Hockman of Birmingham. Event star/Southfield native Joe Nipote of Burbank, CA with his brother-in-law / YMCA director Tony Pecoraro of Beverly Hills and Geoff Hockman of Birmingham. Chris McLogan of Birmingham with card raffle winner Gwen Leveque of Bloomfield. Below: Dr. Lucia Zamorano (left) and Oakland MRI’s Susan Swider of W. Bloomfield, with Mary Swider Spresser, Alesia Swider and Stacie Swider of Bloomfield. Debora Christy (left) of Farmington Hills, comedian Rob Little of North Hollywood, CA and Vicki Biggers of Bloomfield. Robert Cobb (left) of W. Bloomfield and Arlene Kass of Birmingham.

■ The Community House Annual Fund Drive Kick Off

Two-and-a-half-years after Miya Jo Must succumbed to her mental illness, her mother photographer Monni Must told guests at Kadima’s benefit luncheon, “The only thing worse than losing a child is forgetting a child…Miya still matters and I thank you for that.” The audience of 220 at Tam O’Shanter Country Club also got a lesson in Stomping Out the Stigma of mental illness from Community Network Services’ Malkia Maisha Newman. Her presentation, which included the importance of physical fitness to mental health, concluded with a hearty vocal rendition of “Tomorrow” and the declaration that “Recovery works.” Counting the $1,500 raised in the raffle (40 prizes, so the odds of winning were pretty good) the event raised $18.000 for the organization whose name in Hebrew means “Moving Forward”. It serves 200 clients, oversees the operation of 25 group homes, the Lois and Milton Zussman Activity Center, a family support group for 20 families of children with emotional and behavioral disorders and, this year, opened the Child and Adolescent program that will serve 45 young people with serious emotional and behavioral disorders.

Grace Centers of Hope’s

Top row, left to right: Fund drive committee chair Greg, Sr. & Christa Schwartz of Bloomfield. Committee cochairs Chris Schwartz (left) of Bloomfield, Denise Acierno of Birmingham, and Megan Moreau, Stephanie and Molly Schwartz of Bloomfield. Roger Anderson (left), Tony Rea, Bud Liebler and Scott Romney of Bloomfield. Bottom row: Judy & Doug Gettel of Bloomfield. Meg Ferron (left) of Bloomfield with her mother Diane Day and Julie Herman of Birmingham.

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Not surprisingly, women were in the spotlight at the Women Helping Women 12th annual luncheon and fashion show which attracted 650 Grace Centers of Hope supporters to the Royal Park Hotel. In addition to a warm welcome from event chair Karen Williams, Ruth Spencer, coemcee with Doris Biscoe, was presented with a surprise award for supporting the event for 10 years. JUNE 2010

Chrysler Foundation VP Sarah Eliott accepted an award for the foundation’s four years of event sponsorship. And Grace Centers of Hope program participant Katrina McDonald gave very moving testimony about her personal struggles, detailing how GCH empowered her to change her life. Six women and four children from the center also joined professional models on the runway for the chic, tradition transformed Talbots fashion show that Talbots’ Mary Alice Stephenson coordinated and commentated. Sales of tickets ($75), a silent auction ($28,000) and a deck of cards raffle plus the generous sponsorship of the Jamison Williams Foundation raised nearly $160,000 for the women’s and children’s programs at GCH. The faith based organization, which receives no public funds, is the largest comprehensive homeless agency in southeast Michigan.

■ The Community House Major Donor Dinner

Clockwise from upper left: Immediate past TCH board chair Carole Deyer (left) of Birmingham with event sponsor / board member Northern Trust’s Fred Adams and board member Michelle Otzen of Bloomfield. Jeanne & TCH board chair Don Kunz of Bloomfield. Featured speaker Kym Worthy (left) of Detroit with her father Clifford and his wife Mildred Worthy of Bloomfield. Becky & Rich Sorensen of Bloomfield. Carol Aubrey (left) of Birmingham and Jeanne Hackett of Bloomfield.

■ Kadima’s Healthy Body Healthy Mind Luncheon

Americoif’s Elegance Presentation Kudos to Nino Genna. Known as the Godfather of hairdressing in Detroit, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at Americoif’s recent Elegance Presentation at the Townsend. Genna has been a member of Americoif of Detroit, the country’s only non-profit association dedicated to the education of hairdressers and the elevation of the salon industry, since 1964. A lifelong client Linda Giles and fellow hairdresser from New Orleans John Jay delivered moving tributes. Among the 350 applauding the venerable nonagenarian were his nephew Anthony Marsalese, who owns Birmingham’s Antonino Salon from which Genna retired last year at the age of 93; and Felicia Palazzolo Shaw, to whom he sold his Somerset Nino’s salon in 1980. She has since moved it to Birmingham and named it Felicia.

Clockwise from lower left: Committee member Nancy Reed (left) of Bloomfield and Kadima’s Paula Schonberg of Birmingham. Event chairs Joel, Monni and Sabrina Must of Sylvan Lake. Kadima board chair Sandi Tamaroff (left) of W. Bloomfield with Doris August of Bloomfield. Michelle DeLong (left) of Sylvan Lake and Jennifer Gray of Birmingham. Past board chair Gail Katz (left) of W. Bloomfield with director Nancy Stein of Southfield and committee member Marla Kaftan of Birmingham.

■ Grace Centers of Hope’s Women Helping Women

American Heart’s 2010 Heart Ball Kudos to Compuware’s Bob Paul and his American Heart Association’s 2010 Heart Ball Detroit Rocks committee. Their black tie event attracted 500-plus guests last month to the Westin Book Cadillac and raised more than $1-million for critical research. This is notable because they sold only corporate tables, no individual tickets. Is this the way of the future for big charity events? Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 or e-mail samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com

Clockwise from upper left: Grace Centers of Hope’s Shannon Grace Clark (left) of Bloomfield with co-emcee Doris Biscoe of Clarkston. Barbara Bowman Schirmer (left) of Birmingham with presenting event sponsor The Jamison Williams Foundation’s Wendy Williams Powers and Rick and Karen Bowman Williams of Bloomfield. The Grace Centers of Hope’s Clark family: Shannon Grace Clark (back left) of Bloomfield, Darin & Amber Weiss of Ferndale, Dr. Pam Clark (front left) & Pastor Kent Clark of Troy. Judge Lisa Gorcyca (left) of Troy, Keri Middleditch of Royal Oak and Karen Shapiro of Bloomfield

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■ final word New liquor license initiative

ecently, Birmingham city commissioners followed the lead of the city's Planning Board and approved six zoning ordinances that will provide for the issuance of economic development liquor licenses in two key underutilized areas of the city, the Woodward Corridor and the Triangle District, with the anticipation they will help spur large-scale investment and redevelopment. While the city has historically been slow to respond to calls for new liquor licenses, this is a positive step forward for growth and rebirth in these two areas. The new liquor licenses are designed as tools for economic development in a specific area of town. The idea was originally examined by the City Commission in 2007, at the same time the bistro licenses were under consideration. At that time, the commission decided to try out the bistro licenses, with the option of returning to the economic development liquor licenses in the future. Bistro licenses have been a huge success. They were first instituted by the commission in April 2007, as a unique zoning ordinance amendment to allow for bistros with limits on their liquor licenses, and outdoor dining in the downtown area of Birmingham and the triangle area of

Birmingham, just east of Woodward, south of East Maple and north of Ruffner. With that came a strict list of specifications license holders had to comply with in order to receive a license. Each year, the commission is only allowed to provide two bistro licenses to new businesses, and two licenses to existing businesses without liquor licenses. Existing businesses such as Elie's Mediterranean Cuisine and Salvatore Scallopini are thriving at night with the addition of bistro licenses; new businesses like Cafe Via, Forest Grill, and Toast might never have come to be if not for the bistro licenses. Economic development licenses are designed for larger restaurants which are part of significant buildings, either new or redeveloped. These are restaurants which would qualify for a traditional Class C liquor license from the state — if one were available. Criteria for receiving an economic liquor development license is a 500 percent increase in value and/or at least a $10 million investment in a building, whichever is less, to allow for flexibility and intangibles in the determination process, such as a significant redevelopment in a less-costly area of town. Economic development licenses would be confined to the Triangle

District and Woodward Avenue frontage, both east and west, from Lincoln up to Poppleton, including the downtown Overlay District, with certain buildings meeting the criteria and definition. None of those areas are adjacent to residential areas, and all of the buildings must be a minimum of three stories. Some people have stated that the incentive for the creation of the new licenses is the new Greenleaf Trust Building opening soon at the southwest corner of Maple and Woodward. The owners, from Kalamazoo, have long sought a liquor license for their restaurant, Zazio's, a contemporary Italian restaurant. And they have clearly spent more than $10 million investing in a new gateway building in Birmingham. They have a realistic need to recoup some of their investment in town, and a restaurant that many will visit is one way. While an economic liquor license is not a reward for investing in Birmingham, the realities of today's economy need to be acknowledged, and developers and investors in identified parcels and buildings need an incentive to invest in Birmingham. An economic development license that the commission controls — only good for restaurants, not bars or nightclubs — is a wise, long-term choice. ■

School board election dates

t was good news to learn the state Senate recently voted to approve a bill requiring school districts to hold their regular elections for school board seats during even-numbered year November general elections or August primary elections. Enacting the legislation as a new state law would save money for school districts by forcing them to schedule board races in sync with elections that all townships and cities must already conduct. In 2003, changes to the Michigan Election Law permitted school districts to adopt a resolution to hold regular school board elections on a May election date in odd years, or in May during both even and odd years; or at the November election date in both even and odd years. Senate Bill (SB) 751 would allow a school district to hold its regular election on an oddyear November general election date only if one or more cities in the district that contain a majority of the district's electors already conducts an odd-year general election. Given the school aid cuts enacted in Lansing and the possibility of additional cuts for public schools, districts can no longer justify scheduling elections for May dates or November dates in odd-numbered years. Since some districts aren't willing to make that change, we have no problem

with the Legislature forcing the issue. A state law enacted a few years ago shifted the responsibility for managing school elections from the school districts to city and township clerks. In addition, the law calls for school districts to pay municipal clerks to conduct district elections. If there's no other election scheduled in May or November of oddnumbered years, a school district is on the hook for paying the full cost of their standalone election. If a school district holds its elections in August or November of even-numbered years, when municipal clerks must already manage elections for state and county offices — if not local offices — the district is charged little or nothing to "piggy back" their board races and funding proposals onto existing even-numbered year primary and general election ballots. Officials in some school districts have hesitated, or thus far refused to coordinate their elections with municipal ballots because they fear so-called voter drop off if school board races and ballot questions are added at the end of municipal ballots; holding district elections at the same time as municipalities would require candidates and ballot issue committees to spend more on advertising and signs to get their names and issues before distracted vot-

ers; and bringing school elections in sync with other balloting would make school board races increasingly political. All those concerns — typically cited as "costs" — related to switching to existing August or November elections in even-numbered years have some merit. Yet, under the current school funding crisis, districts must eliminate all unnecessary spending. Allowing a district to hold its elections on the odd-year November general election date if at least one city in the district making up a majority of district electors already conducts an odd-year general election might seem like an acceptable compromise. It would achieve the legitimate objective of having district elections in sync with previously scheduled municipal elections, thereby minimizing the cost of school district elections. Yet, in the case of the Birmingham district, for example, holding board elections on odd-numbered year November dates — in sync with the Birmingham City Commission elections — still requires the district to pay the Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield Township clerks to manage the election in the district's precincts within those communities. That's an unnecessary cost, and a waste of money. Now that the Senate has acted, it's up to the state House to adopt this common sense and cost-saving proposal. ■

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