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SHARON EISENSHTADT PERSONAL STYLIST
■ inside / january ■ 9: MAIL BAG Eileen Jones; Jim Mellet
■ 11: CRIME MAP A locator guide to specific categories of crime in the local area
■ SNAPSHOTS ■ 19: Matt Shepard ■ 59: Richard Bernstein
■ 27: Maggie Allesee ■ 63: Jeremy Abbott
■ 37: MUNICIPAL Art Fair change, MIP ordinance amended; construction at The Community House; transit center funding; plans for a millage increase; the new township budget, plus more
■ 60: COUNTY A shortened two-year SMART ballot proposal wins approval
■ 61: STATE School cuts restored; smoking ban; educational reforms
■ 65: BUSINESS NOTES Whistle Stop Café; Cheeburger Cheeburger; Zuma Coffee House; Arhaus Furniture; Patty's Salon and Spa; Maple Leaf Café; Kate Neville Photography; Plant Station; Revive
■ 66: EATING OUT A directory of places where you can dine out; Main Course (Forest Grill) and Quick Bites from the restaurant scene with Eleanor Heald; Focus on Wine with Eleanor and Ray Heald
■ 12
SEX OFFENDERS ON THE LIST
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry was crafted by state lawmakers 15 years ago. Here's a look at the current system and which offenders are living in the Birmingham-Bloomfield area.
■ 69: THE COMMUNITY HOUSE The President and CEO of the Community House, Shelley Roberts, on what’s coming up in the weeks ahead
■ 70: SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The latest from the society and non-profit circuit
■ 78: FINAL WORD Our thoughts on unresolved transit center issues and school funding cuts
■ OUR COVER
■ 20: ESCAPE WITH LOCAL THEATER
■ 29: TAX FREE LAND IN THE AREA
■ 67: BIRMINGHAM'S FOREST GRILL
St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild, The Birmingham Village Players and the Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre offer patrons an escape.
A guide to local tax-exempt properties, many of which help give the communities their unique characters.
Birmingham's Forest Grill epitomizes an American bistro, thanks to Executive Chef David Gilbert and Chef/Proprietor Brian Polcyn.
4
THE PAPER
The Hunter House, a true icon on Woodward near Maple in Birmingham. Cover art by Chris Grammer, from photos by Amy K. Lockard.
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6
THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
â– from the publisher
W
ith the start of the new year we are making an extra push at The Paper to introduce more residents from the Birmingham-Bloomfield area to our website at oaklandpaper.com. We already average about 15,000 visitors each month to our site and we have several hundred people who have signed up for e-mail alerts when we have breaking news or when we post weekly news updates to the site. For those unfamiliar with what we offer on the website, let me give you a quick tour. Our website offers a variety of information, not all of which makes it into the print edition of The Paper each month.
PAPER
PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: James W. Fancy PUBLISHER / VICE PRESIDENT: David P. Hohendorf Administrative Assistant: Carol Barr NEWS EDITOR: Tim Dmoch Staff Writers Lisa Brody, Sally Gerak, Brooke Meier, Leslie Owsley, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Eleanor Heald, Ray Heald, Kathleen Meisner, Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Research/Listings Assistant: Cynthia Stawick Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard
At oaklandpaper.com, we post our guide to eating out in Birmingham-Bloomfield, along with the Main Course feature by Eleanor Heald and the Focus on Wine column by Eleanor and Ray Heald.
Sales Representatives Jill Cesarz, Dan Neumaier, Jules Pickard, Linda Stickney, Ron Warwick Sales Assistants Jessica Holstein
On the news side, we also provide Sally Gerak's Social Lights column which is updated each Monday morning with the latest reporting and photos from social events.
INSIDE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Inside Sales Representatives Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko
We also devote an area on the site to background on the many non-profit community groups that help address problems in the community at large and we provide a link to the groups' websites. Likewise, we provide links to government websites, including the local communities, schools, libraries, as well as background information and e-mail links to state lawmakers.
GRAPHICS MANAGER: Chris Grammer Graphics Assistants Denise Jungjohan, Karen Polatka, Marcia Reimer Systems Manager: Chris Grammer CIRCULATION MANAGER: Dennis Boggs Circulation Assistant: Dan Griffin
Further, we provide access to the state Sex Offender Registry and links to school rankings. Lastly, we provide what we call the Ad Index, basically an on-line posting of all ads that appear in the most recent issue of The Paper. The Ad Index allows site visitors to view a categorized presentation of advertisers, view the actual print ad, link to the advertisers' websites and map out the location of an advertiser's storefront. Although The Paper is a monthly publication, members of our news staff continue gathering news every week, either by attending government meetings, following up on developing stories from the past, and reviewing police department activity each week. Each Thursday afternoon we update oaklandpaper.com with the latest news developed by staff members. Any time there is something new posted to our site, we send out what we refer to as an email blast to those in the community who have signed up for notification when we update the website. Signing up for e-mail alerts is simple. Once you visit our website, at the top right of the index banner you will find a "news alerts" category which allows you to sign up for weekly updates to the website, breaking news alerts and notification of when we post Sally Gerak's Social Lights column to the site each Monday morning.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER: Carol Barr Supervisor: Carolyn Petherbridge Accounts Receivable: 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 • 248.360.7355 OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION: The Paper is mailed free of charge to over 29,000 homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills just before the start of each month. Additional free copies are available at newsstand locations. Paid subscriptions are available for $15.00 per year by phoning our distribution department at 248.360.6397.
Our website offers a more immediate presentation of news from the Birmingham-Bloomfield area, rather than just relying on the print edition of The Paper as it comes out just prior to the start of the month. The site simply helps augment our efforts on the print side. So if you have not visited oaklandpaper.com, take the time to do so now and make sure you are not being left out of the information loop.
David Hohendorf Publisher davidhohendorf@thescngroup.com
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY THE PAPER OAKLAND LAKEFRONT OAKLAND HOMES MONTHLYADVERTISER WEST OAKLAND DIRECTORY 50th YEAR OF PUBLICATION
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villageatbayharbor.com THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
■ mail bag Applaud police, courts From Eileen Jones, Bloomfield Hills: I am responding to the (Mail Bag letter) by Dr. Surendra Kelwala entitled “An Abuse of Power” in the December 2009 Birmingham/Bloomfield Paper. How dare Dr. Kelwala compare our judicial system in anyway to the Taliban justice system. When our teenage youth try to explore and push the limits of society for their “trial actions,” I am grateful that we have police and judges who will not only protect our youth from themselves but also protect us from their actions. Their use of drugs, alcohol, sex and total lack of respect for authority is out of control. Many of them have parents who are disengaged, so therefore the child is in charge. How many more problems would we have with teenagers if all parents and the judicial system followed the beliefs of Dr. Kelwala? Teenagers need boundaries and their parents must ensure they adhere to them if their children are to grow up to be contributing adults in our society. It’s too bad that a good number of parents want some-
one else to raise their children because raising kids is a full-time and hard job. In this instance, hence the need for our police and judicial system. I applauded our police and judges in our law and court system for doing a good job with teenagers under very difficult conditions. Dr. Kelwala seems very angry about a lot of issues. Perhaps he could practice what he preaches. ■
Mass transit thoughts From Jim Mellet, Birmingham: I wish we could support a regional “we are a community” mentality. What kind of area would we have if we had no libraries? Why can’t we think of public transportation as a minimum requirement for viable communities? How can we ever become a place where young people want to come? Even if you think you will never use public transportation ... can’t we begin to think we are “our brother’s keeper” a little more? To me, a mass transit plan must be regional and all inclusive both in services and financial support. ■
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 writer’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. ■
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SEX OFFENDERS Some claim state registry is an asset while others argue against its constitutionality By Brooke Meier
I
t’s been 15 years since Oakland Country Sheriff Michael Bouchard helped craft legislation creating the Michigan Sex Offender Registry during his tenure in the state Legislature. Since its implementation, the registry has garnered a comprehensive, searchable database of individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes. Some deem the registry as a great asset to the state’s residents, while others argue against its constitutionality. “When we were drafting the legislation, we knew that sex offenders constitute a group that’s extremely prone to recidivism,” Bouchard said. “For example, the average pedophile has more than 100 victims in their so-called career. Knowing that, we wanted to create the registry as a law enforcement tool and to inform the public.” Bouchard, along with officials from the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township police departments agree that the registry has proved to be an asset to their communities. The law was crafted to serve several purposes, the first of which was to develop a tool for law enforcement officials to use as a preventative and protective instrument in cases where children go missing. Bouchard said there have been cases where, after a child goes missing, the police turn to the registry to compile a list of past offenders living near the missing child’s home. In many cases this has led to the child’s recovery and safe return. “Based on certain information in a case, you can determine if the perpetrator has a certain — what we call MO (modus operandi),” he said. “We then check that MO against the registry and see if any of the offenders in the area match. That gives police a place to begin.” The law can also be used as a deterrent. Because they have to register their address periodically, neighbors and local law enforcement officials know where sex offenders live, and this knowledge can help keep a rehabilitating offender on the right track.
“The registry has proven itself,” Bouchard said. “It helps people decide where to go, for example, if they were going to take their kids trick-or-treating, or for a woman who likes to jog, which streets to avoid. It gives people knowledge, and knowledge is power.” Despite its good intentions, the law has its flaws — something groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have been trying to correct. “The issue right now is compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act,” said Shelli Weisberg, legislative director for the ACLU of Michigan. That act was signed into law in 2006, and is meant to push all states to categorize sex offenders the same way. “This will significantly change the sex offender registry — it’s kind of a mixed bag (now),” she said. “The state’s registry is so large right now, there has been talks over the years to find a way to make the registry more effective, because it’s so large it’s often hard to measure how effective it might be.” According to Weisberg, research across the country indicates that such registries aren’t as effective as once thought, especially because offenders aren’t required to register based on risk assessments. “We are hoping that while we are amending (Michigan’s registry law) for the Adam Walsh Act, we can really look at amending the registry so it can be a more effective and useful tool as opposed to just a compilation that’s misunderstood,” she said. Even legislators and Bouchard have acknowledged there are some changes that have to be made to the registry in order to promote the original intent of the law — to protect citizens from serious sexual predators. The court system has also found flaws with the original legislation, stating the registry conflicts with the 14th Amendment, and is therefore unconstitutional. In 2002, U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts ruled the state’s registry was in violation of the U.S. Constitution and ordered it removed from the Michigan State Police’s web site. That ruling stemmed from a case involving a Royal Oak resident who was a corrections officer at Plymouth’s Scott Correctional Facility and was having consensual sex with a female prison inmate. The officer was dismissed from his job and received two years of probation. On top of that, he was required to register as a convicted sex offender for 25 years. Roberts’ ruling was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals following an appeal filed by then-Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm. There have been many changes in the Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act since it was first enacted. In 1996, the registry was made open to the public. In 1999, it was made available to the public on the Internet. Three years later, the law was amended to require all registered sex offenders who attend and/or work at an institution of higher learning to report his or her campus status to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the campus. Other changes could be in store if a recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling holds up or legislation pending in the state House is approved. Offenders remain on the registry for 10 years if they are assigned Youthful Trainee Status and are granted an alternative registration petition by a court,
which was part of changes addressing concerns regarding so-called Romeo and Juliet relationships — where, for example, a consenting boy is 17-years-old and a consenting girl is 15-years-old. On Nov. 3, the Michigan Court of Appeals made a decision in a Romeo-Juliet case involving a 2004 conviction after Robert DiPiazza, then 18-years-old, was adjudicated under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) for attempted thirddegree criminal sexual conduct (CSC). The charges were brought against DiPiazza after a teacher found a picture of DiPiazza and his then 14-year-old girlfriend in bed together. He was convicted, sentenced to probation, and required to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, DiPiazza successfully completed his probation in 2005, and under the terms of HYTA, his case was dismissed. He now has no conviction on his record. However, he was still required to remain registered as a sex offender. In 2008, DiPiazza petitioned the trial court asking that his name be removed from the sex offender registry because the requirement to register, as it applied to him, violated the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Constitution. While agreeing that his case was one of a Romeo-Juliet scenario, the trial court denied DiPiazza’s request, but granted a request to reduce his period of registration under Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Act to 10 years. As a result, DiPiazza appealed, feeling he had a strong case. Court documents stating the consensual nature of the sexual relationship that sparked the original conviction was never in dispute. In April 2009, DiPiazaa and the girl, Nanette Trowbridge, were married. Their first child was expected in June 2009. The Court of Appeals agreed with DiPiazza. “Other states are recognizing the need to distinguish between people who truly represent a danger to the public, and those who do not. The penalties imposed for the same Romeo and Juliet offense in some other states are less severe,” the Court of Appeals decision states. “The defendant never posed a danger to the public or a danger of re-offending. The defendant is not a sexual predator, nor did the trial court deem him to be. Further, even if the defendant needed rehabilitation, (the Sex Offender Registry Act) labeling him to be a convicted sex offender works at an opposite purpose, preventing the defendant from securing employment and otherwise moving forward with his life plans ... We conclude that requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender for 10 years is cruel and unusual punishment.” This ruling, if not challenged, sets a precedent for future Romeo-Juliet cases. The deadline for the prosecution to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court was Tuesday, Dec. 29, after press time. Miriam Aukerman, director of the re-entry law project at Legal Aid of Western Michigan, said that ruling, if it stands, could have implications for other Romeo-Juliet offenders who were either tried as juveniles or didn’t have the option of the HYTA diversion program. “Romeo and Juliet offenders who participated in the diversion program prior to Oct. 1, 2004, are on the registry,” Aukerman said. “If they participated in the program after Oct. 1, 2004 they are not on the registry. However, if you are convicted as a juvenile, or if you don’t get the benefit of the diversion program, then ➤
you are on the registry. There are many cases where individuals who are Romeo and Juliet offenders are on the registry. The (DiPiazza) case will certainly apply to the individuals who completed the diversion program prior to Oct. 1, 2004, and it may have implications for other individuals who are Romeo and Juliet offenders, but weren’t offered the diversion program for one reason or another.” Another measure that could affect Michigan’s sex offender registry was recently introduced in the state Legislature. House Bill (HB) 5505, which would prohibit registered sex offenders from working or loitering within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop, has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. State Rep. Marty Knollenberg (RTroy) introduced the measure, and cosponsors include Rep. Chuck Moss (RBirmingham, Bloomfield). State law already prohibits registered sex offenders from coming within 1,000 feet of an elementary, middle, or high school. HB 5505 would revise the definition of a school safety zone to include school bus stops. The only exemption would be if the sex offender were meeting his or her own child at a bus stop. “I’ve been hearing from some people who say this bill is going too far because there are so many bus stops — offenders can’t live anywhere,” Moss said. “I’m willing to take another look at the legislation, but on the other hand, when my kids were little I wanted to be sure that there weren’t creeps and predators around, that they weren’t in danger.” “I think what we want to do with the sex offender registry is make sure that genuine predators are on there,” he said. “We want to make sure when they are on the list it’s because they are a dangerous predator, not because they were taking a leak in an ally behind a bar or part of a RomeoJuliet scenario.” State Sen. John Pappageorge (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) said he’s been contemplating changes in the sex offender registry since he was first elected three years ago. “We had a discussion on the topic when the director of the State Police was before our group,” he said. “We have something like 44,000 registered sex offenders in Michigan. We are kidding our citizens if we believe we have the resources to really keep track of 44,000 people.” Pappageorge said the principal concern for legislators has to be the safety of citizens, and that means differentiating between a true sexual predator and someone who has committed a Romeo-Juliet crime. “The way we start getting at that is by paying attention to the truly dangerous predators and take those who were in the Romeo-Juliet scenario off the registry,” he said. “We need to find something in between the two extremes, categorize the list and focus our greatest efforts on those that are the most dangerous. To me that means we aren’t going to have 44,000 offenders on the registry.” Anyone convicted of a listed www.oaklandpaper.com
LOCAL SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY LIST The following is a list of the registered sex offenders now living in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township, according to the state’s sex offender registry listings immediately prior to press time. Included for each listed offender is their name, street address, the nature of their offense, and whether they’re in compliance with the registry. For general descriptions on the different degrees of CSC, refer to the information presented in the accompanying story. BIRMINGHAM • Daniel Jacob Brochstein; 1223 Webster, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; child sexually abusive activity-distributing or promoting; compliant; • Mark Anthony Graef; 1822 Haynes Street, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; CSC fourth-degree (force or coercion); compliant; • Daniel Eric Katzenstein; 1445 Bowers, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; use of Internet or computer system for prohibited communications; compliant; • Scott Douglas Schieferstein; 543 Catalpa, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; CSC fourth-degree (multiple variables); compliant; • Allan Mark Steinik; 945 Chapin, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; CSC fourth-degree (force or coercion), two offenses in same case; non-compliant; • Lawrence Robert Yates, 1893 Cole, Birmingham, Mich. 48009; CSC fourth-degree-victim between 13-16; compliant. BLOOMFIELD HILLS • Matthew Peter Galloway; 1790 Huntingwood, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48304; use of Internet or computer system for prohibited communications; compliant. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP • Richard Lawrence-John Anderson; 1161 Ivy Glen, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48304; CSC fourth-degree (multiple variables), four offenses in same case; compliant. • Lawrence Raymond Beddow; 1131 Timberview, Bloomfield, Mich. 48304; sexual battery; coerces by authority (engages in sexual activity with a child-Florida); compliant; • Daniel James Wellman; 1157 Ivyglen Circle, Bloomfield, Mich. 48304; CSC second-degree (relationship), CSC second-degree (person under 13); compliant. • Ernest Calabro; 1685 Kirkway, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48302; CSC first-degree (multiple variables); compliant; • Vitaliy Dalian; 4296 Margate, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48302; CSC fourth-degree (force or coercion); compliant; • Phillip David Fairchild; address unknown; CSC second-degree (person under 13); absconder; • Randy Thomas Killingbeck; 4423 Pinetree Trail, Bloomfield, Mich. 48302; CSC third-degree (person 1315), two offenses in same case; compliant; • Bradly Allen Mickowski; 1935 Pine Ridge, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48302; indecent exposure, sexually delinquent person; compliant; • John Burton Wells; 1975 Klingensmith, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48302; CSC first-degree (person under 13); compliant; • Mack Edward Williams; 2316 Greenlawn, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48302; CSC first-degree (during felony), two offenses in same case; compliant; • Daniel Arthur Goniea; address unknown; sexual battery, four offenses in same case (Georgia); absconder; • John Joseph Stanko; 700 Lahser, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48301; CSC second-degree (multiple variables), two offenses in same case; compliant; • Reed Craig Wagner; 5565 Farmers Lane, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48301; CSC fourth-degree (multiple variables); compliant. To review the Michigan State Sex Offender Registry, log onto www.mipsor.state.mi.us.
offense after Oct. 1, 1995, is required to register as a sex offender if they reside, work, or are a student in Michigan on a permanent or temporary basis, defined as being in Michigan for 14 or more consecutive days, or at least 30 days in a calendar year. Also, anyone convicted of a listed offense on or before Oct. 1, 1995, if on that date he or she was on probation or parole, in jail or prison, or under the jurisdiction of the juvenile division of the probate court or the Department of Social Services for the listable offense, is required to register. Individuals who are transferred to Michigan under those same conditions are also required to register. Offenses for which an offender can be listed on the registry, according to the Michigan State Police (MSP) web
site, are: • Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child for immoral purposes; • Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child for immoral purposes (prior conviction); • Child sexually abusive activity or material; • Crimes against nature or sodomy, if the victim is less than 18years-old; • Indecent exposure while engaging in a lewd or lascivious act if previously convicted of that act; • Three convictions of any combination of disorderly person and indecent exposure; • Gross indecency between male persons, or gross indecency between female persons, or gross indecency between male and female persons, if the victim is less than 18-years-old
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and the offender is not adjudicated as a juvenile; • Kidnapping, if the victim is less than 18-years-old; • Leading, taking, carrying away, decoying, or enticing away a child under 14-years-old; • Soliciting, accosting, or inviting to commit criminal prostitution or an immoral act; • Pandering; • CSC in the first, second, third, and fourth degrees; • Any violation of state law or local ordinance that by its nature constitutes a sexual offense against an individual who is less than 18-years-old; • Any offense committed by a person who was, at the time of the offense, a sexually delinquent person; and • Any offense substantially ➤ 15
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similar to a listed offense under a law of the United States, any state, or any country or under tribal or military law. Sex offenders are required to report any change of address to law enforcement officials within 10 days of moving from the address which is listed on the registry. They must also verify that address, report employment, report attendance or employment — or any change in attendance or employment — at an institution of higher learning. A one-time $35 fee is assessed to all offenders. Valid Michigan driver licenses or personal identification cards must be maintained. Offenders must sign all required registration forms, and they can’t reside, work, or loiter in a school safety zone. Aside from the Romeo-Juliet scenario, another issue that proved difficult to resolve was how to make sure the registry is valid and accurate. Bouchard said he wanted to have local police departments check on the status of every offender and provide appropriate state dollars to local law enforcement agencies to reimburse them for the cost of doing so. Under the Headlee Amendment to Michigan’s Constitution, the state can’t require anything of county or local governments without providing funding to pay for meeting the requirement. “By law, I couldn’t require a local police department to check and verify the status of offenders (without pro-
viding funding to do that),” he said. “Having said that, it’s a priority for me now that I’ve shifted roles from being in the Senate to being (Oakland County’s) sheriff. Our units actually go out and knock on doors to verify — that’s a priority. I don’t view that as a burden.” Individuals who are guilty of a listed offense which doesn’t require lifetime registration, must register as a sex offender for 25 years. Those offenders who remain on the list for their entire lives are those who have been convicted of any of the following offenses: CSC first-degree; CSC second-degree; kidnapping; leading, taking, carrying away, decoying, or enticing away a child under 14-years-old; and child sexually abusive activity or material. Offenders must verify their address either quarterly — between the first and 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year — or yearly, depending on whether the crime which they were convicted of was a felony (punishable by imprisonment for more than one year), or a misdemeanor (punishable by imprisonment of less than a year), respectively. First- and third-degree CSC, both felonies, involve sexual penetration. Second- and fourth-degree CSC — second degree being a felony and fourth degree a misdemeanor — involve sexual contact. Fourth-degree CSC is punishable by up to two years of incarceration. Various conditions apply to each
degree of CSC offense. Therefore, if an offender commits a crime to which more than one of those conditions is applicable, they are referred to as “multiple variable” offenses on the sex offender registry, according to State Police personnel. Despite ongoing conversations about possible changes to the registry, local law enforcement officials say it’s been a successful and useful tool in their communities Bloomfield Hills Police Chief Richard Mattot said he didn’t think there were any sex offenders living in the community. “We had one, but he moved out about a year ago,” he said. “We must not have had any problems with him because nothing came to our awareness.” Despite the rarity of offenders living in Bloomfield Hills, Mattot said the registry has always been a useful tool for the department. Captain Steve Cook of the Bloomfield Township Police Department said there has been at least one case of a local convicted offender not keeping his information up-to-date with the registry. “It’s the only time I can remember, since I’ve been here, that we’ve had someone fail to register,” he said. “To rectify that we obtained a warrant and he complied.” Like Bloomfield Hills’ Mattot, Cook said the registry has been a useful tool for the department. Police in the
township don’t go out to ensure the registered offender is, in fact, where they say they are, according to Cook. “Most of the offenders who register with us are known to us, and we know that they’re there,” he said. “We don’t have to physically check. We know that they are there. We can do this because we have so few of them.” Birmingham police also view the registry as a useful tool for the department and the community. “You always want to know if you’ve got a problem in your city,” said Birmingham Police Sgt. Terry Kiernan. “That’s part of the reason for the registry, anyway — to inform people.” Like the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, police in Birmingham go out and knock on doors to ensure registered sex offenders are accounted for. “They are required to come in and register with us,” Kiernan said. “Usually, if one of the clerks handling the offender thinks something’s not right, or someone hasn’t come in, we’ll go out to the house to check and see if they moved, or verify that they’re still there. Every so often you’ll get a complaint from somebody, so we’ll go out and investigate.” According to Kiernan, there’s only been one case when there was a minor problem with an offender, but it was resolved through the department quickly. ■
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hat do you do when you've been a star high school athlete, and high school is over? Matt Shepard, a quintessential star athlete at North Farmington High School, turned his talent in sports into a successful career as a respected sportscaster for WDFN-AM (1130). Shepard can now be heard on area airwaves broadcasting the University of Michigan men's basketball games and Detroit Lions pre-season games. He also appears on local sports television programs, including on Fox Sports Net. In addition, he had been the voice of the Detroit Shock prior to the team's sale. "It took a lot of training," Shepard said. "I did the news, sports and play-by-play from the high school level to minor league baseball, and now at the professional and collegiate level." After earning a degree from Central Michigan University with a major in broadcasting and a minor in journalism and advertising, Shepard was able to break into sports broadcasting. He started as an anchor and eventually became a radio talk show host along side Drew Sharp at WDFN, presenting the Shep and Sharp show weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. on 1130 AM. "Drew came on board in early September," Shepard said. "We knew Drew would be a great fit. He's opinionated and hard working." Both Shepard and Sharp go the extra mile by attending games and
matt shepard going into locker rooms to interact with athletes and coaches, which many talk show hosts don't do, according to Shepard. "That's what makes our show a little different," he said. "That's how we form our opinions. It's our responsibility to educate the audience, and it's our hope that the audience will learn something from our shows." The extra time and effort Shepard puts into his job is not without sacrifice. "At times it takes me away from my family more than I'd like," he said. "It requires my wife to be very patient, hardworking, and understanding, and she's all of those. Our house would not be able to function without her." As a Bloomfield Hills resident, Shepard relishes the opportunity to professionally cover teams he grew up rooting for as a young man. In addition, he said he loves the Bloomfield Hills School District and the safe, clean environment it provides for his family. With a devoted wife, four active children and a career that allows him to fulfill his dreams, Shepard said he takes nothing for granted. "My dream was to one day call the NFL, and I do that for the Lions," he said. "You can't ask for a whole lot more than that." — Katey Meisner The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
Community Theater Three groups provide escape with local productions
By Katey Meisner
S
t. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook, The Birmingham Village Players, and The Community House Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre in Birmingham offer patrons of the arts an opportunity to get lost, if only for a couple hours, in the wily imaginations of Oscar Wilde or the more current reflections of Jonathan Larson. At a time when Michigan is hurting financially, the communities of Birmingham and Bloomfield are still continuing to support the influential and essential role these theater groups offer to Oakland County. For decades, St. Dunstan’s has provided camaraderie and opportunities to local amateur actors. Organized in 1932, St. Dunstan’s theater group was limited to 100 actors, and each member was required to pay $1 in dues annually. Currently, the theater guild has an active membership quota of 275 and an annual dues of $80, according to Pam Richards, actor and editor of St. Dunstan’s internal newsletter. St. Dunstan, a 9th century English clergyman and archbishop of Canterbury, was widely regarded as the patron saint of the arts. The name St. Dunstan’s was suggested by a member of the Booth family, who founded the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills. From audition to show time, a St. Dunstan’s production takes six to eight weeks to complete, and the theater offers both indoor and outdoor performances, according to Richards. “We cast by committee, so everyone from play reading, casting, directing and choreography gets a vote,” Richards said. Considered in casting is membership and work commitment at the theater by each individual actor. “Everyone has to work a show every year,” Richards said. “If you’ve worked your show, then you’re eligible to audition for a part. Acting is a privilege and everyone needs to chip in to make the show happen.” In addition to fulfilling committee obligations, which may include assisting with ticket sales, concessions, publicity, costumes or web site updating, the size and age of an actor is taken into consideration for a role. “That’s pretty much true in every theater production,” Richards said. Auditions run two evenings, and generally end in a celebration. Sometimes actors aren’t called until midnight once casting is complete. “We don’t release the cast (list) until everyone has accepted the part that we’ve offered to them,” Richards said. “Some people will audition for several different parts.” St. Dunstan’s members work on a volunteer basis. And, according to Richards, participating in the production of a play is a serious commitment. “Generally, rehearsals run three hours and are held four times per week,” she said. “We get no pay for what we do. It’s just for love of theater and love of performing.” Some amateur actors seek out St. Dunstan’s as their theater home, but occasionally actors are recruited. “We may see an actor somewhere else and decide that they would be perfect for St.
Dunstan’s,” said Richards, who has been involved with St. Dunstan’s since 1992, acting and singing in the theater group. “I love it, and it does take a commitment and some juggling of the schedule, but I was looking for a theater home, and it’s very much a family atmosphere,” she said. Funding for productions at St. Dunstan’s comes from ticket sales and membership dues. On occasion, a member may bequeath money to the theater when they die, according to Richards. Scripts are ordered through Samuel French Play Publishers and Authors representatives for review. Richards said once consideration is made, often based on whether a production will fit with St. Dunstan’s stage and casting possibilities, enough scripts for the cast and crew are ordered by companies out of New York. Players at St. Dunstan’s are nothing if not wholly committed to the success of the theater. The guild has many actors who are heavily involved with the group and participate in a host of productions. “Jeff Davison is a wonderful supporter of St. Dunstan’s,” Richards said. “He’s a fantastic actor.” Davison, a long-time player who joined the theater group in 2000, has been able to finetune his talent and meet like-minded individuals while doing something he is very passionate about. “I have made some truly great friends that I will have for a lifetime,” he said. “There’s something special about a group of people who share a common love and work together to put on a show. Each time I’ve been on-stage, off-stage, or simply helping out, I’ve learned something new and had fun doing so. It’s really therapeutic to go to a rehearsal and bring a character to life.” “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” by Jeff Daniels, is the next production slated at St. Dunstan’s. “Of course, we’re always hopeful that (Jeff Daniels) will put in an appearance, but we don’t know about that,” Richards said. Another reputable area theater group, the Birmingham Village Players, was proposed in the fall of 1922 by John W. Gafill, a former student at Baldwin High School of Birmingham. The group was formally organized in 1923 by Gafill and 15 other members. With Loren T. Robinson acting as the first elected president, the purpose of the group was to produce a private amateur theatrical club featuring small, artistic productions without regard for financial benefit. From 1924 to 1926, performances were held at the Baldwin High School auditorium, according to Joan Reddy, public relations chairperson at the Birmingham Village Players. The first ever production, “The Maker of Dreams,” by Oliphant Downs, was presented in a renovated farmhouse, which was the original Birmingham Community House. The residence of a group member housed the dressing and makeup room across the street from the playhouse. In 1926, members decided that a more suitable theater facility should be purchased in order to produce longer productions. This prompted the purchase of the current Birmingham Village Players playhouse on Woodward Avenue. Materials for the new playhouse were furnished by Howard Simpson, a member at the
time, according to Reddy. Construction was provided by Village Players’ member Bob Tillotson, who took no payment for his contracting organization’s work. Architect and member Wallace Frost designed the structure, and the first performance in the new building was held in 1926. It wasn’t until the 1970s that players began inviting special audiences and students to preview dress rehearsals. In the 1980s, participation in musical productions was opened up to the public and open casting soon followed. Today, the Birmingham Village Players boasts approximately 200 members and puts on several productions each year. “There are usually six weeks of rehearsals,” Reddy said. “We have open casting for all productions. Notices of auditions are sent to the media.” Though, according to Reddy, some of their actors have performed professionally in the past, all Village Players productions are considered amateur. “However, we pride ourselves on putting on professional-quality productions,” she said. Casts usually rehearse three to four times a week, with the specific days and times determined by the individual directors and casts. Besides the five productions the Village Players puts on each year, which include three musicals and two traditional plays, they also sponsor the Village Youth Theater. “We’ve been working with the youth theater for four years,” Reddy said. “But they have been officially a part of our group for three years.” According to Reddy, regular auditions are held for the youth theater, but the age range of actors often depends on the material being produced. “We are doing the high school version of ‘Rent,’” Reddy said. “Because of the material, actors had to be at least 16-years-old.” “Our slate of plays is suggested by our play reading committee, and then approved by the board of directors,” Reddy said. “There’s also a Playhouse Board of Trustees which oversees the financial aspects and running of the playhouse.” Funding for the Village Players primarily comes from ticket sales and $75 annual membership dues, according to Reddy. “We’re a non-profit organization, so we’re always very appreciative of donors, as well,” said Sally Savoie, president of the artistic board. “We just received a very generous donation from a woman after she saw ‘Hello Dolly’ in November. It was her first time at the theater and she had such a wonderful time that she went home and decided to write a check.” Gary Mach, who is president of the Playhouse Trustees Board, has been a member of the Birmingham Village Players since 2004, and has previously acted professionally. “The community theater groups are great organizations that do a lot of interesting shows,” Mach said. “They tend to draw people in who take acting very seriously. It’s for club members who want to practice their craft.” According to Mach, new people frequently become involved in the theater. “Theater people are a different breed,” he said. “I think deep down inside, those of us who are actors do it for that moment when you’re ➤
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Here’s a peek at upcoming productions planned by the three local theater groups: St. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild: 400 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48304. Call 248-737-3587 to order tickets by phone. Tickets also are available online at stdunstanstheatre.com. • Escanaba in Da Moonlight, by Jeff Daniels, Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30, 2010. Director, Mark Walters; assistant director, Nina Kircher. • Little Shop of Horrors, music by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, March 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, and 28, 2010. Director, Susan Mancuso. • Annie, music by Charles Strouse, June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19, 2010. Director, Elizabeth Robinson. The Birmingham Village Players: 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, Mich. 48009. Call 248.644.2075 to order tickets by phone. Tickets also are available online at www.birminghamvillageplayers.com. • The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, Jan. 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, 2010. Director, Kevin Branshaw. • Assassins, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, March 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28, 2010. Directors, Rita Monpetit-Liegl and Diane D’Agostino. • Hair, music by Galt MacDermot, May 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24, 2010. Directors, Carl Jones and Steve Roberts. • Disney’s Mulan Jr., June 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2010. Director, TBA. Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre at The Community House: 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, Mich. 48009. Call 248-644-5832 to order tickets by phone. Tickets also are available online at www.communityhouse.com. • Oliver!, March 20 and 21, 2010. Director, Mitch Master; musical director, Dan Greig. ■ St. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild
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on stage and you realize you have the audience right there in your hand.” You don’t have to be an actor to be a member, according to Mach. “We have a lot of people who never appear on stage and don’t want to appear on stage,” he said. “They might be carpenters, electricians or sometimes they just like being around theater folks. People can work backstage with costumes, props and even perform ushering or administrative duties.” The Village Players also offers Playwrights at Work, a group of local residents interested in writing shows. “Once or twice a year they put on a staged reading of their work to see how their work sounds coming out of someone’s mouth,” Mach said. “Again, those are folks that may not be interested in being on stage, but enjoy the kinds of things that the club does and the kinds of things that the club offers.” The Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre, located in The Community House of Birmingham, is also a respected theater group in the area. The group began in 1987 when Sara Smith, a retired school teacher who taught performing arts in the Detroit Public Schools, was hired to direct a children’s theater program. “The group was called the ‘Popcorn Players,’” said Sara Levitsky, director of programs for The Community House. “Sara (Smith) introduced the excitement and fun of acting and the theater to children in the community.” Several years later, Sara Smith Productions was developed as a youth theater company to give children more opportunities to learn and perform, according to Levitsky. Performances are held on the Sara Evelyn Smith Stage in the Wallace Ballroom of The Community House. “Over the years, this very successful program has enriched the lives of thousands of area children by offering them exposure to the theater,” Levitsky said. Sara Smith passed away in 2005, although her legacy continues through Sara Smith Productions at The Community House, according to Levitsky. “(The theater group) continues to present wonderful opportunities for children in our community to experience the theater, either by being cast in a show or as technical crew members,” she said. “In addition, the musical productions, which generally sell out, are heavily attended by grade school and middle school students.” Auditions are held approximately three months before performance dates. The young actors practice at The Community House twice per week, and then for the entire week before a performance. “Actors are 8- to 18-years-old,” Levitsky said. “Some have experience either at The Community House or other theaters in the community, and some are first-time actors.” No experience is necessary to audition, but the theater group does recommend that young actors attend theater classes or theater camps to gain experience. “Audition information is included in our fall and winter catalogs which reach nearly 50,000 homes,” Levitsky said. Productions are recommended by the group’s theater and music director and approved by the program director. “Shows are presented through special arrangements with licensing agencies,” she said. At the Community House Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre, operations depend entirely on revenue from shows and a portion of the interest generated by a small endowment. Unlike some other theater groups, the Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre is not a membership organization. According to Levitsky, it’s completely open to the public. “There are no membership dues for actors,” Levitsky said. “The Community House and its programs are open to all.” The Community House has served as an entertainment venue for local residents, but for young actors like 14-year-old Niko Bokos, it has taught him life lessons and helped build confidence. “I started (acting) in fifth-grade and I really love it,” Bokos said. “You meet so many new people and it’s really helped me with public speaking. I want to continue on through high school, and I’ve been thinking a lot about professional acting.” Through depressions and recessions and while Birmingham and Bloomfield businesses have come and gone, residents have consistently supported the arts. Virtually sponsored by ticket sales and donations, these three playhouses have withstood the test of time with local residents, declaring the importance of the arts in their communities. ■ THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
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espite being widowed at a young age and losing a son, Maggie Allesee has become an example in the community by giving millions of dollars and countless hours to benefit others. Her positive attitude continues to shines forward. "My husband died when I was 46-years-old and my son died in my arms when he was 3-years-old," the Bloomfield Hills resident said. “But, you just have to keep going. You live for the living." At 81-years-old, Allesee still presides on the boards at Wayne State University, Oakland University, the Cultural Council of BirminghamBloomfield and the Detroit Historical Society, just to name a few. She sings at local nursing homes with the Junior League of Birmingham, and has walked with the Distinguished Clown Corps in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit for the past 21 years. "I've been a volunteer all my life," she said. "Both my parents were very active." Allesee is a graduate of Wayne State University and Florida State University (FSU), where she became the head cheerleader of the first FSU cheerleading squad.
"I go back there every year and put on my cheerleading uniform," she said. "Everyone says, 'She's so old!' It's so much fun." Allesee is currently working with SandCastles, an organization that helps children who have lost siblings or parents. Her own family's experience with grief played a part in her interest in the organization. "There are several (SandCastles locations) in the metropolitan area, but not one in Birmingham," she said. "That's something I've recently started working on." Allesee is remarried to local broadcaster Bob Allesee, has three children and 12 grandchildren. When she's not spending time with her family or volunteering, she still manages to play a few rounds of golf at the Oakland Hills Country Club and goes bowling every Thursday. Not surprisingly, she has received dozens of accolades for her charitable work, and has been recognized as the Michigan Humanitarian of the Year. "I'm on 20-some boards, and I just hope I can keep working with them because I enjoy it very much," she said. "When you've lived as long as I have, you meet a lot of people and are able to do a lot of things." — By Katey Meisner The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
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very city, township and village in the state has land that is utilized for the good of the general public or a certain portion of society. It could be a church, synagogue, temple or mosque; a school or other educational building; a facility owned by a non-profit organization; or city, county, state and federal facilities, like a fire station, post office, or park. As the community benefits from the use of such property, the community pays it back in a unique way: It becomes exempt from property taxes. Every municipality has a portion of its area classified as tax-exempt. Land and the facilities developed on it can be exempt from property taxes under various categories, including religious, educational, local government, county government, state government, federal government, international, or non-profit organization ownership. When added up, the collective tax-exempt land in a community can be sizable; and the tax exemption on that land means taxing authorities lose out on a certain amount of tax revenue. However, it’s impossible to gauge in any community how much property tax revenue is lost due to tax-exempt land, according to municipal officials. In Bloomfield Hills, for example, how does one set a taxable value on the almost 300 acres of tax-exempt land which has become known as the Cranbrook Educational Community? Should assessors compare the Cranbrook property to subdivisions and set a taxable value? Should they imagine it as being redeveloped as a downtown area, a la downtown Birmingham? “I don’t know how anyone could make that assumption (of redeveloping Cranbrook),” said Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens. “It would be difficult to translate into taxable dollars because you would have to make so many assumptions. One, I would have to assume that Cranbrook is gone.” The Cranbrook land falls under the education tax-exempt category. At 287.68 acres of land, the Cranbrook property accounts for 10.1 percent of the city’s total land area. According to Cravens, including other education institutions, houses of worship, public safety buildings, federal facilities such as post offices, and other assorted parcels, 15.6 percent of the land in Bloomfield Hills falls under some kind of tax-exempt status.
“What would happen to the (taxable) land and houses if there weren’t good school systems, park systems, and houses of worship? It would be hard to measure,” said Dave Heiber, manager of the Oakland County Equalization Division. Cravens and other area municipal officials say they don’t begrudge the loss of tax revenue due to tax-exempt property in their communities. They say living in beautiful communities comes at a cost. One of them is that some of each community’s most valued properties, including parks, schools, religious properties, government buildings, and cemeteries are tax-exempt properties. “It depends on how people value the use of the property that has the tax-exempt status,” said Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus of the trade off between tax revenues and quality of life. “If people view it as a positive to locate in a community with a lot of parks, like in Birmingham, then it’s not a loss of revenue. People want to locate near parks. People also like that the land won’t be developed. I see a lot of it as a very positive feature of who we are. “Birmingham is a fairly strong, urban, dense community,” he said. “Because of our density, I think (having abundant parks) offsets in people’s minds some of the perceived tax losses.” Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne acknowledges that while the township doesn’t have any park land, it has a large number of religious and educational properties. “People who live here value education, both public and private,” he said. “We probably have more private schools than any other schools, because of our demographics.” That statement is backed up by 493.161 acres of educational taxexempt property in the township. Bloomfield Township, with approximately 40,000 residents, is home to a wide mix of religious institutions — from St. Paul Methodist Church on East Square Lake Road to St. George Hellenic Church on Woodward Avenue; and Kirk in the Hills on West Long Lake Road and Temple Beth El on Telegraph Road to the Muslim Center of Bloomfield on West Square Lake Road. “I think it’s great to have a wide diversity of religious institutions integrated into the community,” Payne said. “We have Jewish synagogues, a mosque, Protestant churches, Catholic churches, and other ➤
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JANUARY 2010
places to worship.” To become exempt from property taxes, the land owner must request an exemption from the local assessor. Bloomfield Township has its own assessor; Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills contract for assessing services through the Oakland County Equalization Division. Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 211.7 exempts hospitals; houses of public worship; a parsonage for that house of worship; schools; and a non-profit organization that qualifies for a charitable exemption from paying property taxes. Additionally, municipal parks are tax-exempt, as are county or state-owned land used as parks, county-owned property or buildings; burial grounds (cemeteries); property owned by foundations; and property assorted with other parcels, where the parcel itself may not be tax-exempt, but the adjacent property is either being utilized for public or neighborhood use, like part of a beach lot, or it’s a small piece of property taken from a property owner for the public good, like a road right-of-way. MCL 211.7a states that federal property is exempt from property taxes, and MCL 211.7b states real estate used and owned as a homestead by a soldier or sailor discharged honorably from service with service-connected disability is tax-exempt. In the event of the death of the soldier or sailor, that exemption continues in favor of the surviving, non-remarried spouse. Housing owned and operated by a non-profit organization or by the state, or a political subdivision of the state, solely for elderly or disabled families is also exempt from the collection of property taxes. Furthermore, under MCL 211.7e, public rights-of-way on the surface of real property are also exempt from property taxes; as are seawalls and dikes, under MCL 211.7g. Organizations such as the Boy or Girl scouts, a 4-H club or foundation, and young men’s or young women’s Christian associations are exempt from taxation if at least 50 percent of the association or organization membership is made up of Michigan residents. The primary homesteads of persons living in poverty are also exempt from property taxes as long as the persons provide property identification and meet federal poverty guidelines, which are updated annually. Once an application for tax-exempt status is received, the local assessor reviews it to see how it would qualify under the law. “Most local units of government have an application that must be filled out and filed with the local assessor’s office, or the assessor may contract with us,” Oakland County’s Hieber said. “We would have our corporation counsel, or legal counsel for the local unit of government review that.” “The applicant would need to show documentation in writing to let us know how they are exempt, giving us specific information including a copy of their articles of incorporation so we can see if they meet the requirements for exemption,” said Bloomfield Township Assessor Bill Griffin. “If they meet the requirements, they should be exempt for the next few years. We’ll go through our exempt rolls every five years or so to update everyone’s status.” According to the Michigan Townships Association (MTA), there are 4.5 million acres of state-owned land across Michigan and approximately 2 million acres of federal land across Michigan, all tax-exempt. David Bertram, legislative liaison with the MTA, said municipalities with certain tax-exempt state land receive revenue from the state in the form of payments in lieu of taxes (PILT). “It depends on how the state receives the land,” Bertram said of PILT forwarded to municipaliaties. “The state continues to buy more land ... in the public’s interest — for parks, forests, open spaces, boat launches, lakefronts, and conservation purposes if something is unique about the property. It can run the gamut.” The state, under PILT, pays what is called a “swamp tax” on its property holdings in a community, according to Bertram. “That has nothing to do with swamps or taxes,” he said. “In the 1930s, a lot of land (reverted) back to the state, largely through foreclosures. Some was likely not developable, some people stopped paying taxes on it, and some land people lost. Under the swamp program, the state pays $2 per acre — $1 is paid to the county the land is in, and $1 goes to the municipality. That amount has not changed in years.” Neither Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, nor Bloomfield Township have any state-owned property requiring PILT at this time. The following is a look at tax-exempt property in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township. Check the accompanying tables for a comprehensive list of all tax-exempt properties in the communities. BIRMINGHAM Birmingham is the smallest of the three communities, at 4.8 square miles, or approximately 3,079 acres. Birmingham revels in its park system, with 20 parks scattered around the city for its citizens and visitors to enjoy. ➤ www.oaklandpaper.com
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CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM HOLY NAME CHURCH “MAIDA, ADAM J” “PARISH, HOLY NAME” CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM JR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM INC CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FIRST CHRCH/CHRST SCIENTST CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM ROEPER CITY & COUNTRY SCHOOL CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FIRST UNITED METHODIST COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFLD CHAI CTR CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY OF BIRMINGHAM REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM DETROIT SMSA LTD PARTNERSHIP FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1ST UNTD METHDST CHURCH OF BIRMINGH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT BALDWIN HOUSE ST JAMES CHURCH U S GOVERNMENT AMERITECH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY HOUSE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHESTER ROW TOWNHOUSES ASSOC GREAT LAKES CUSTOM BUILDER LLC CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM VILLAGE PLAYERS
0.000 0.896 9.260 0.077 0.147 7.260 0.729 0.274 0.224 0.157 3.344 0.840 0.186 0.090 2.060 0.127 0.000 0.696 2.790 0.399 4.370 0.562 8.120 1.000 0.000 0.075 0.000 0.119 0.698 0.046 0.101 0.009 0.062 0.074 0.029 2.031 1.458 0.510 0.339 0.520 0.607 0.378 0.340 1.030 0.235 0.426 7.000 0.060 6.040 1.370 0.000 1.480 62.10 0.000 0.253 0.200 0.300 9.460 0.000 0.152 0.059 6.760 9.420 0.000 2.110 0.289 0.000 0.730 2.239 0.000 0.204 0.467 0.172 0.551 2.888 0.630 1.999 0.892 1.544 0.567 0.567 0.312 3.400 0.851 1.135 0.150 0.000 1.970 0.107 0.589 0.531
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CITY OF BIRMINGHAM 735 FOREST STREET LLC “735 FOREST STREET, LLC” CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM YMCA BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY OF BIRMINGHAM DETROIT SMSA LTD PARTNERSHIP CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DIST CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM GREAT LAKES FSO UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM AT&T COMMUNICATIONS BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS CITY OF BIRMINGHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION CITY OF BIRMINGHAM OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH EMBURY METHODIST CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CLOVER HILL PARK CEMETERY OF CLOVER HILL PARK CEMETERY OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CH ST COLUMBAN PARISH ST COLUMBAN PARISH EATON ACADEMY GRAND TRUNK WESTERN RR BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD ART SWEET PEAS BIRMINGHAM MEDICAL MBANK “GABE, LAUREL MA” KHOURY AND KASSAB LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN VACATION FINANCE NOW CAFE BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS VILLAGE PLAYERS JUNIOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING RM EDISON’S BAR AMBULATORY CENTER FOR YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT “GALLAGHER, MICHAEL J” ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT “ROEPER, GEORGE A” SDC LAND CO ST. HUGO OF THE HILLS CHURCH OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE THE LEGION OF CHRIST INC K/LB BLOOMFIELD ASSOC LLC K/LB BLOOMFIELD ASSOC LLC “MOZER, RUDOLF W” COUNTY OF OAKLAND KINGSWAY CONDOMINUM ASSOC CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS US POST OFFICE CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFILED HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS DAUGH OF DIVINE CHARITY CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY TOMYN DEVELOPMENT CO LLC CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CON & ACADEMY SACRED HEART CON & ACADEMY SACRED HEART CON & ACADEMY SACRED HEART LAWRENCE INST OF TECHNOLOGY
1.052 0.000 0.030 8.930 3.581 0.148 0.222 1.191 5.980 7.970 8.510 1.983 0.000 0.140 0.110 2.330 14.47 2.230 0.489 5.495 0.712 2.220 0.120 0.890 6.110 4.090 0.950 0.310 8.910 1.171 0.601 1.670 0.290 0.000 2.685 53.980 8.532 1.850 0.370 4.430 0.100 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.127 0.000 0.000 7.970 4.740 1.200 12.95 1.990 21.64 3.400 0.340 2.410 0.900 1.000 0.050 1.350 1.000 1.600 0.570 0.020 0.600 1.670 0.190 13.190 4.500 15.470 1.540 1.870 1.750 1.670 1.690 1.750 8.990 1.040 1.040 1.910 2.230
Local Government Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Local Government Local Government Religious Religious Religious Local Government Private Education Local Government Non-Profit Local Government Local Government Local Government Education Local Government Local Government Local Government State Government State Government Local Government Private Education Local Government Education Local Government Religious Religious Local Government Education Local Government Local Government Private Private Religious Religious Religious Education Private Education Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Non-Profit Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Non-Profit Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Non-Profit Non-Profit Non-Profit Non-Profit Non-Profit Assessed w/Other Parcels Non-Profit Non-Profit Religious Religious Religious Assessed w/Other Parcels Religious Education Education Religious Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels County Government Assessed w/Other Parcels Local Government Federal Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Non-Profit Local Government Education Education Education Education Education Education Assessed w/Other Parcels Religious Religious Religious Religious Education
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Acreage
Exempt Status
CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 2 CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CHILDRENS SCHOOL TRUST “TREMAIN, ROBERT” “SCHAKNE, MARILYN J” CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS BIRMINGHAM UNITARIAN CHURCH BIRMINGHAM UNITARIAN CHURCH CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMTY CHRIST CHURCH CRANBROOK CHRIST CHURCH CRANBROOK CHRIST CHURCH CRANBROOK CHRIST CHURCH CRANBROOK “JAPAN, CONSULATE GENERAL OF” GREATER GRACE TEMPLE CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS “GOLDMAN, LINDA A” MANRESA JESUIT RETREAT HOUSE BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DIST CITY OF DETROIT BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DIST BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DIST UNITED STATE POSTAL SERVICES B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCH DIST #2 B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 THE HAZEL PARK EVNGLCL LUTH CHURCH ST PAUL METHODIST CHURCH BLOOMFIELD TWP-STREETS BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP FIRE STA NO 4 “HELLENIC, ST GEORGE” THE CHURCH IN BLOOMFIELD HUGHES ST CHURCH OF CHRIST THE FRANKLIN RD CHURCH WHITFIELD SCHOOL TWP OF BLOOMFIELD BLOOMFIELD TWP BLOOMFIELD TWP BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD TWP BLOOMFIELD TWP BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP CITY OF PONTIAC MUSLIM CENTER OF BLOOMFIELD OAKLAND COUNTY DRAIN COMM OAKLAND COUNTY DRAIN COMM OAKLAND COUNTY DRAIN COMM DALY DRAIN DRAINAGE DISTRICT DALY DRAIN DRAINAGE DISTRICT DALY DRAIN DRAINAGE CHARTER TWP OF BLOOMFIELD CHARTER TWP OF BLOOMFIELD CHARTER TWP OF BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD TWP BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP STATE HWY DEPT STATE HWY DEPT B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 BLM HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 MICH DEPT OF STATE HWYS BLOOMFIELD HILLS B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIST THE LEGION OF CHRIST INC TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 BLOOMFIELD TWP FIRE STATION #2 BL HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT # 2 BEAUTIFUL SAVIOUR CHURCH
6.250 0.370 7.200 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.200 0.150 0.000 0.000 4.340 4.730 0.190 0.270 0.670 0.910 0.960 2.820 1.300 2.390 0.910 1.390 1.680 4.790 1.250 2.000 1.940 2.150 5.300 0.030 36.180 44.658 17.43 6.630 34.248 5.106 1.223 14.169 4.548 6.752 0.291 3.302 4.101 0.779 6.773 1.099 1.600 0.596 0.506 0.185 2.700 3.127 1.943 1.917 1.409 0.685 9.110 5.164 0.118 0.117 0.133 0.206 0.191 0.221 0.137 0.159 0.544 0.100 0.265 0.979 0.377 0.372 0.011 0.036 0.855 0.855 1.000 0.375 4.405 0.000 0.000 0.000 4.530 1.845 0.596 0.779 0.000 0.514 17.39 5.574
Education Education Education Education Education Education Education Local Government Local Government Education Education Education Education Assessed w/Other Parcels Assessed w/Other Parcels Local Government Local Government Religious Religious Education Education Education Religious Religious Religious Religious International Government Religious Religious Religious Assessed w/Other Parcels Religious Education Local Government Education Education Federal Government Education Education Education Education Religious Religious Local Government Local Government Religious Religious Religious Religious Education Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Education County Government County Government County Government County Government County Government County Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government State Government State Government Education Education Education State Government Education Education Education Education Education Religious Local Government Local Government Education Local Government Education Religious
OAKLAND CO RD COMMISSION TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD CONVENT OF SACRED HEART “READE, ALAN” ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD HILLS BAPT CHURCH BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP HALL BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 KIRK IN THE HILLS KIRK IN THE HILLS THE KIRK IN THE HILLS KIRK IN THE HILLS PRESBY CHURCH KIRK IN THE HILLS PRESBY CHURCH BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALOM FELLOWSHIP COUNTY OF OAKLAND OAKLAND COUNTY ROAD COMM BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DIST BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO BL HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT #2 MICH STATE HWY & TRANS LUTHERAN CHURCH MICH DEPT OF STATE HWYS & GREAT FAITH MINISTRIES STATE HWY DEPT BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP LIBRARY MICH DEPT STATE HWY THE TOWBES FOUNDATION TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD INDUSTRIAL LAND CO INDUSTRIAL LAND CO INDUSTRIAL LAND CO INDUSTRIAL LAND CO BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL LAND CO INDUSTRIAL LAND CO MANRESA JESUIT RETREAT HOUSE PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OAKLAND COUNTY RD COMM BLOOMFIELD TWP GTRR R/W BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE PROTECTIVE ASSOC TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS BLOOMFIELD TWP DETROIT COUNTRY DAY TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD BLOOMFIELD WATER CORP BLOOMFLD VILL PROTECTIVE ST ANDREWS LUTHERN CHURCH “RADIKE, BRADLEY J” BH SD 2 (WING LAKE DEVELOPBH SD 2 (WING LAKE DEVELOPBH SD-2WING LAKE DEVEL CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS JARC A MICH NON PROFIT THE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS FRANKLIN SUBWATERSHED DRAIN ST OWENS CHURCH TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD B HILLS SCHOOL DIST NO 2 BL HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 JARC CORP CONGREGATION BETH EL ANGELS’ HOUSE DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL BLOOMFIELD TWP WELL SITE FIRST UNITED METHODIST DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IHM ST MARYS ACADEMY IHM ST MARYS ACADEMY ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT IHM ST MARYS ACADEMY “MAIDA, ADAM” BLOOMFIELD HLS CONGREGATION ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH “HAVENS, ROSEMARIE”
0.208 0.647 0.000 0.517 0.671 1.161 7.603 0.882 0.694 0.818 4.291 6.473 6.850 19.670 20.849 1.310 0.239 30.843 3.228 38.255 1.000 0.021 0.182 18.029 24.924 16.694 0.416 5.864 4.207 4.341 1.120 7.720 0.750 2.860 0.289 1.560 1.570 1.820 1.590 9.960 2.856 2.066 1.000 1.000 0.241 0.143 0.315 0.129 0.309 17.426 2.322 0.852 3.371 0.351 0.423 0.973 2.104 0.539 0.633 0.684 3.126 18.31 1.486 2.070 1.607 0.162 9.500 0.138 8.488 13.11 0.432 7.470 10.50 0.374 25.85 0.425 0.230 3.200 0.251 9.370 11.586 1.690 1.660 1.670 1.658 1.590 0.750 7.670 15.531 4.933 0.565
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BLOOMFIELD HILLS Bloomfield Hills is 5.036 square miles in size, or 3,223 acres. “Fully 15.6 percent of Bloomfield Hills’ land is tax-exempt land,” said City Manager Cravens, adding that money is built into the city’s public safety budget to protect the tax-exempt land as competently as all other property in the city. There are 447.03 acres of tax exempt land. In Bloomfield Hills, land and buildings with the educational exemption account for 313.56 acres. The Cranbrook Educational Community alone comes in at 287.68 acres. There is also an Oakland Community College property on Opdyke Road with 2.74 acres, and a Lawrence Institute of Technology branch with 2.23 acres of land. Churches and the Manresa Religious Retreat, at 36.18 acres, make up 97.82 acres of Bloomfield Hills’ tax-exempt land under the religious category. Local government land — primarily city offices and Department of Public Works (DPW) facilities — accounts for 10.36 acres. The county has 1.35 acres in the city. There is no state land in Bloomfield Hills. The federal government has 0.57 acres in the city, at the U.S. Post Office on Long Lake Road. There is one property in Bloomfield Hills that falls under the international tax exemption — the Consulate General of Japan on Cranbrook Road, taking up 2 acres. The Daughters of Divine Charity has received a non-profit tax exemption for 13.19 acres of land on Woodward Avenue. There are 8.18 acres of assorted tax-exempt parcels in the city, all small pieces. “There are individuals with vacant, small pieces that have tax-exempt status,” Cravens said. “Many could have been private road footage, where there were small parcels on the other side of a private road from their property, and they were split off from their parcel when the road became a public road. It becomes ‘orphan’ property, because the property is unbuildable and unusable. (The owners) likely went before the Board of Review, through a tax adjustment, to get the tax-exempt status for that smaller piece of unbuildable property.” BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Bloomfield Township is the largest of the three municipalities, at 25.977 square miles, or 16,625 acres. Approximately 888.44 acres in Bloomfield Township are classified as tax-exempt. As a religiously-diverse community, 166.167 acres in the township have the religious tax-exempt status, from 25.852 acres at Temple Beth El and 22.159 acres for Kirk In The Hills, to 5.164 acres for the Muslim Center of Bloomfield. Both Birmingham Public Schools and the Bloomfield Hills School District have school buildings in the township, and Bloomfield Hills has administrative buildings there. Detroit Country Day School has two school buildings in the township. There are 493.161 acres falling under the educational tax exemption in the township, including Birmingham Covington School, located at Covington and Quarton roads, at 19.748 acres; West Maple School on Inkster Road at 18.319 acres; Bloomfield Hills Middle School and Conant Elementary School at 41.618 acres; and Andover High School, with 38.255 acres. The local government has 97.107 acres of tax-exempt property — from township offices and police and fire stations to the 48th District Court. There are 9.73 acres of Oakland County tax-exempt land in the township. Another 24.75 acres in the township are tax-exempt state lands, from railroads to highways. Angels’ House, on Middlebury, with at less than a half acre, is the lone property in the township with the non-profit tax exemption. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com
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“I like to say that instead of having a little bit more in everyone’s backyard, we put it all together into parks,” said City Manager Markus. “Isn’t that what community is all about?” Of the 3,079 acres in the city, approximately 407.145 acres are tax-exempt. Almost half of Birmingham’s tax-exempt land, at 207.045 acres, falls under the local government tax exemption as parks, golf courses, city property, buildings, police and fire stations, and others. There are 2.22 acres of Oakland County land within Birmingham, and 8.476 acres of state land that are tax-exempt. There is a half-acre of federal land, at the old post office on Martin. Another 78.97 acres are tax-exempt as non-profit properties — from the YMCA on Lincoln at 7.97 acres to the Congregation Shaarey Zedek Clover Hill Park Cemetery on 14 Mile Road at 65.197 acres. Numerous churches throughout Birmingham receive a religious tax exemption, encompassing 51.64 acres of land. Educational exemptions are made for schools and school property. The Birmingham School District, Roeper City & Country School, and Eton Academy make up 56.636 acres. Small assorted tax-exempt parcels make up another 1.6 acres.
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■ municipal Township merges some precincts for special election By Brooke Meier In order to save money during the February 2010 special election, the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved a recommendation from the township’s Election Committee to consolidate some voting precincts. “Typically, special elections have a lower voter turnout,” said Deputy Clerk Tina Barton. “We’ll also see a tremendous cost savings.” According to Barton, the cost for five election workers at one precinct is $800. Under the consolidation, total savings in staffing alone are estimated at $3,200. In addition, the township won’t have to pay staff to set up as many precincts and can save money when printing ballots. “It’s just something we felt that made sense and would be more economical,” said Township Clerk Jan Roncelli. The following precinct consolidations will take place prior to the township’s special millage election scheduled for Feb. 23. Precinct 11 at West Maple Elementary and Precinct 16 at Meadow Lake School will be consolidated at West Maple Elementary. Precinct 12 and Precinct 29 are located at the same location, the Bloomfield Baptist Church, but are almost always separated. They will be combined for the February election. The same will go for Precincts 20 and 25, located at Fox Hills Elementary. The last precincts to be consolidated are Precinct 21 at the Farm Activity Building and Precinct 32 at the Bower’s Farm Building. Barton said these two locations are right next to each other, so it makes sense to consolidate them at the Farm Activity Building. Voters will be notified prior to the election of precinct changes and locations. In addition, notices will be posted at the precincts and the information will be listed online. Barton said anyone with questions can stop by the clerk’s office or call 248-433-7702. Bloomfield Township will hold a special election on Feb. 23 on a proposed 1.3-mill general government millage increase that would allow the township to maintain city services at current levels. For a detailed description of the millage proposal and how it would impact property owners’ property taxes if approved, see the related article appearing on Page 57. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com
Transit center nets federal earmark Birmingham-Troy project gets $1.3 million for construction By Lisa Brody
T
he cities of Birmingham and Troy are a significant step closer to achieving their goal of building a new transit center with the announcement of $1.3 million in federal transportation money approved by the U.S. Congress. The House of Representatives approved $1.3 million for construction of the Troy/Birmingham Multimodal Transit Center in mid-December, followed by the U.S. Senate. “This shows meaningful steps towards making the transit center a reality,” said U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (DBirmingham, Bloomfield). Peters fought throughout the year to secure funding for the transit center. U.S. Sens. Carl Levin (DDetroit) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) were both instrumental in securing the funding, as well. Birmingham and Troy officials have been working to develop a modern transit center that’s progressive, innovative, and green. The center is designed as a hub for intercity train, regional bus, taxi, and black sedan services. There’s a possibility of rental cars being available, as well. Engineering and architectural plans have been drawn up. Stipulations in the original land agreement providing a site for the project just over the Birmingham border in Troy require construction to begin by June 2010. Troy Mayor Louise Schilling said she believes the cities will be able to break ground on the project early next summer. The cities have raised $1.6 million for the estimated $7 million project, and the Michigan Department of Transportation has contributed $350,000. “Now, with the $1.3 million from the feds in the (fiscal year) 2010 transportation budget, the current funding total is at $3.25 million. We’re half-way there,” said Cullen Schwarz, communications director for Peters. “That builds a strong case from businesses to stay behind this,” Peters said. “We have very strong support from both the Birmingham and Troy chambers of commerce. We still have a long way to go, but it’s another step towards greater regional cooperation.” Word on federal stimulus grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and a TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant for the project should come sometime
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in early 2010. The transit center building, to be constructed off of Doyle Drive, behind Midtown Square in Troy, would 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; a recycled water irrigation system; and geothermal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The transit center would be constructed of regional and recycled materials. The Troy site has room for parking approximately 125 cars. The transit center is also included as a hub in the Detroit Regional Mass Transit hub design. If regional officials are able to develop Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus hubs as job connectors, the Birmingham/Troy transit center would allow riders to connect to other hubs at Oakland Mall, Macomb Mall, Eastland Transit Center, Northland Mall, the Rosa Parks Transit Center, Fairlane Mall, and Southland Mall, where they would be able to easily transfer buses, as well as not be on buses for hours. Not all has been smooth on the tracks. It’s been discovered that while the passenger trains that currently travel on the existing tracks at the cities’ border are owned and operated by Amtrak, the tracks themselves are owned by the Canadian National Railway, which is enforcing use restrictions. “Canadian National would not allow passengers access to the tracks from the Troy side,” said Jana Ecker, planning director for the city of Birmingham, who has become very involved with the planning of the center. “Further, they would not allow an at-grade crossing on the Birmingham side, or allow passengers to walk across the tracks to get to the Troy side.” That means that while the land for the transit center is on the Troy side, passengers would have to board from the Birmingham side, necessitating a pedestrian tunnel beneath the tracks connecting the transit center with a Birmingham access site. It has been determined that the pedestrian tunnel will come out in the area of Cole Street, in Birmingham’s Rail District. The $7 million cost for the transit center includes the cost of the center, but not the cost of acquiring land in Birmingham for the pedestrian tunnel. ■
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■ municipal Star contracted by township to handle EMS billing chores
Art in the Park location changed for 2010 event
By Brooke Meier
After recently authorizing a change in the location of Birmingham’s annaul spring art fair, city commissioners have made the same change for the city’s annual Art in the Park event held in September. The City Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 21 to move the Art in the Park location to South Old Woodward between Maple and Hazel due to recent and ongoing Shain Park improvement projects. The park’s changes need to settle for much of 2010, prompting the need to change the Art in the Park venue. Art in the Park is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 25, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2010. The event area will be set up from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 24, and torn down from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 26. The Art in the Park event is held each year by Common Ground. The Guild of Artists and Artisans of Ann Arbor is partnering with Common Ground to produce next year’s Art in the Park fine art fair. Common Ground and the Guild of Artists and Artisans are also working with the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center to produce the event. The commission previously voted to move the city’s annual spring art fair, which has been re-named Art Birmingham, from Shain Park to South Old Woodward between Maple and Hazel. Commissioners also granted final approval to change the date of the Art Birmingham event from Mother’s Day weekend — May 8-9 next year — to the following weekend, May 15-16, 2010. When the Art in the Park venue change proposal was presented on Dec. 21, some city commissioners question whether the location change should wait until after the Art Birmingham event is held next May to see how well that event went at the new Old Woodward location. Commissioners were told that in order to attract the most qualified and desired artists to the Art in the Park event, the change needed approval now so that the event’s jury can make its artist selections early next year and the selected artists can plan their art fair season around attending Art in the Park next September. Moving the popular art fairs to the streets of Birmingham will help give them a feel similar to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, according to the events’ producers. ■
Star Ambulance has been awarded a billing contract with the Bloomfield Township Fire Department to help the department transition into its own emergency medical service (EMS) transportation system by next spring. “Star EMS will handle all billing services in relation to EMS transport cost recovery, and forward all revenues collected to the township on a regular basis,” said Bloomfield Township Fire Chief Dave Piche. A committee was formed to select an appropriate billing company. While Star Ambulance was not the lowest bidder on the contract, Piche said Star offers more services for the price than the other companies which presented proposals. In addition, the township has a good working relationship with Star Ambulance. “There were several compelling reasons leading the committee to select Star Ambulance over the others,” Piche said. “They can provide the township and fire department with many services that the other companies cannot.” Star’s range of services includes emergency medical dispatch service; computer software, maintenance and upgrades at no extra cost; acting as the department’s rescue truck contingency and being able to provide an ambulance when the township fire department’s other rescue vehicles are tied-up; sharing or loaning any rescue/medical equipment in a time of need; and not requiring a long-term contract — the township can cease business with Star by providing a 30-day notice. Emergency medical dispatching is something the company is already providing the township. This results in a seamless transition and a cost savings, according to Piche. “We are required to provide this service by Oakland County Medical Control,” he said. “Without Star Ambulance providing this service, we would have to train and implement this using our township dispatchers.” According to Piche, bids submitted by Accu-Med and Parastar Inc. called for charging 7 to 8 percent of the township’s total EMS revenue for billing services, and additional charges would be assessed for software fees and maintenance on a yearly basis. Star Ambulance will charge 10 percent for billing, but that price also includes all of the services listed above. “The additional software fees charged by the other bidders offset any savings that would appear to 38
Renovation project Community House to overhaul entrance By Lisa Brody
T
he Community House has received a change in its existing special land use permit in order to make The Community House main entrance handicapped-accessible. “The Community House operates on a special land use permit, and city code requires an amendment to the special land use permit any time a change takes place in the building or the use of the property is altered,” said Debbie Schrot, executive administrator for The Community House. The Community House had previously received approvals from the Birmingham Historic District Commission and the Birmingham Planning Board to renovate the building’s front entrance on Bates Street, the front porch and roof, and the walkway leading up to the building. The plans, designed by the architectural firm of Michael Willoughby & Associates of Bloomfield Hills, call for a handicap ramp beginning on the north side of the entrance, at a 90degree angle to the porch. New concrete steps in the front, facing Bates, will be repoured. One of the three front doors will become handicap-accessible with a push-button opener. Based result from their charging a lower billing percentage than Star Ambulance,” Piche said. The transition from Star Ambulance, which currently provides EMS transportation in the township, to the fire department’s own transportation service will be seamless, according to Piche. “The only difference is they will be riding in one of our own EMS
on current measurements, Schrot said it’s believed there’s enough space to allow wheelchairs through the central front door without widening it. A new flat copper porch roof will be constructed, replacing the old, smaller, peaked roof. “The current roof only covers the middle of the three doors. This new one will keep the elements off the entire porch area,” Schrot said. Currently there are columns on the porch. They will be relocated to accommodate the new roof line. The new entrance ramp will be concrete with iron railings. Hand railings for the front steps will also be iron. The Community House anticipates beginning construction sometime in spring 2010, in conjunction with street and sidewalk improvements implemented around the perimeter of the adjacent Shain Park next spring. The Community House is located directly across from Shain Park. “Our timing will have to correlate with the timing of those projects,” Schrot said. Representatives of The Community House have yet to determine who will do the renovation work. ■ rigs, not a Star Ambulance rig,” he said. The township Board of Trustees’ recent decision to approve the contract with Star Ambulance was unanimous. In September, the board approved a proposal by Piche to begin the township’s own EMS transportation service as a means to generate revenue for the township. ■
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JANUARY 2010
■ municipal City and library enter into new services agreement
of a city property with a taxable value of $150,000 ($300,000 market value) pays $150 a year in property taxes to support the library under the 1-mill levy. The owner of the same property would pay $202 a year in property taxes for the library under a 1.35-mill levy. The library board has asked state Sen. John Pappageorge (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) to request a formal opinion on the library millage and library board’s financial oversight authority — which would be non-binding — from Attorney General Mike Cox’s office. ■
By Lisa Brody Birmingham Mayor Rackeline Hoff and City Clerk Nancy Weiss have been authorized to sign a services contract between the city of Birmingham and the Baldwin Public Library. The contract covers the period between Nov. 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010, which is the end of the city and library’s fiscal years. The contract provides for three automatic one-year renewals unless either the city or the library provides at least six months notice. Sharon Ostin, Birmingham’s director of finance, told city commissioners at their Dec. 7 meeting that the contract for services between the city and the library totals $104,889, compared to an original price of $274,921. Ostin said there were three changes in the contract. The library has decided not to use the city’s custodial services, which will save the library $103,600. There were tax billing and collection services totaling $46,689, and after the library surveyed five other communities for what they charge, it was determined that this service should total $13,257 based on what it will actually cost the city to provide those services. Some of the city’s standard contract language was changed to make it mutually satisfactory, such as both parties mutually agree to not discriminate, mutually agree to protect others’ confidential information, etc. The library’s Board of Directors has approved the contract, as has the library’s staff; and Ann Conigliaro, chairwoman of the library Board of Directors, has signed it. “I believe it’s a signal that we are moving towards mutual cooperation,” Hoff said. The City Commission and library’s Board of Directors clashed earlier this year over financial issues. The dispute escalated after the commission, in a split vote, denied a library request to hike its existing 1-mill levy to 1.35 mills for the 2009-10 fiscal year. With a $3.54-million budget approved, but only around $3 million in revenues expected, library board members said the commission put them in the position of dipping into the library’s fund balance to cover the deficit. A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is generally equal to half a property’s market value. The owner www.oaklandpaper.com
Outdoor dining season Expansion earns commission approval By Lisa Brody
T
hose who like the outdoor dining aspect of the bistro dining ordinance in Birmingham will get to enjoy it a little longer next spring, summer, and autumn — weather permitting. The Birmingham City Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 7 to extend the outdoor dining season and allow for spontaneous outdoor dining on the occasionally out-of-season days when weather conditions accommodate it. The city’s Planning Board had recommended April 1-Nov. 15 as dates for seasonal outdoor dining, and commissioners voted to implement the change. May 1Oct. 31 had been the dates for the outdoor dining. “The Planning Board was interested in having outdoor dining all year long, but determined it was too difficult because of snow clearing,” said Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker. The Planning Board also recommended creation of an off-season permit to allow restaurants to bring tables and chairs out onto adjacent sidewalks for the day only on temperate out-of-season days, and then bring them back in for the night. The off-season permits would not authorize use of dining platforms, which must be used only during the outdoor dining season. A five-foot sidewalk pass area would need to be maintained, as is currently required. Another suggestion was to allow restaurants next to vacant storefronts to be able to use up to 50 percent of the adjacent vacant outdoor property with written permission of the vacant property’s owner. The benefit would be two-fold: It would cre-
ate more outdoor dining space for the restaurant, and it would demonstrate activity in front of a vacant property. “We want this to happen,” said City Manager Tom Markus. The city commissioners were in favor of extending the dates of the outdoor dining season, and after discussion, seemed pleased with the notion of allowing sporadic outdoor dining as weather allows during off-season dates. The off-season permit fee to be charged to bistro and restaurant owners was debated. Currently, bistros are charged an annual fee of $125 to have outdoor dining, which includes a lease fee for using city property. The Planning Board suggested an additional fee of $200 for an off-season permit. Some commissioners felt it would be more advantageous to roll the two together into one fee, so that if a restaurant decides to open up outdoor dining on a nice off-season day, it would be able to do so without going through more paperwork and paying another fee. Ecker was directed to take that suggestion back to the Planning Board. The commissioners also considered an ordinance amendment to allow outdoor dining in the B-1 zoning district. The amendment would allow tables and chairs as accessory usage. The B-1 zoning district is outside of the downtown area, and covers businesses such as Papa Romano’s Pizza, the Forest Hills Swim Club, Eton Market, and Jet’s Pizza, which have expressed interest in having tables and chairs in front of their establishments. Commissioners felt it would be acceptable to amend the ordinance, and it was approved. ■
THE PAPER
Bloomfield Hills commission revises MIP ordinance By Lisa Brody The Bloomfield Hills City Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to adopt an amendment to the city’s minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol ordinance in light of a recent court ruling. The amended ordinance no longer requires a minor to submit to a Breathalyzer exam, but states that they may voluntarily do so upon the request of a police officer. The amendment is in keeping with recent changes in similar ordinances in Bloomfield Township and Troy. Those communities revised their ordinances after Troy lost a state Court of Appeals case in September. That case stemmed from an incident where Troy police administered breath tests to minors at a house party. One minor who was forced to submit to a preliminary breath test was charged under Troy’s MIP ordinance after the test indicated they had a 0.025-percent blood-alcohol level. At the time, the city of Troy’s ordinance stated “A peace officer who has reason to believe that a person less than the age of 21 years of age has consumed alcoholic beverages may require a person to submit to a preliminary chemical breath analysis.” The defendant moved to suppress the breath test results, alleging the results were unconstitutional because the police had executed a warrantless search. The state Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the defendant, concluding that the city of Troy had conducted a warrantless search by requiring the minors to submit to breath tests. Bloomfield Township also recently changed its MIP ordinance to comply with the Court of Appeals ruling. Bloomfield Hills Police Chief Richard Mattot requested the ordinance amendment for the city. ■ 39
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Lake Michigan Frontage $2,975,000 Magnificent seven bedroom, 5.1 bath beach house is exquisitely maintained. Located on 1/4 acre wooded site on Sleeping Bear Bay beach. Within walking distance of the pool, tennis courts, golf and ski slopes. Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Yours to enjoy year round! 29159201 Presented by Mike Cotter
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Endicott Lakefront Lot $1,150,000
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Lake Front at its best with probably the finest lake views in Bloomfield Hills! This magnificent lot has been permitted with full set of plans. Two minutes from downtown Birmingham with Birmingham schools. Beautiful, wooded and private lot is on a cul-de-sac. 29130278 Presented by Mike Cotter
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Birmingham $2,300,000 Perfect blend of old world architecture and 21st Century style on premier Birmingham street! Unparalleled custom trim, coffered ceilings, gourmet kitchen, paneled library and five fireplaces. Five bedrooms, 5.3 baths, generous closets and custom ceilings. Finished lower level with full kitchen, fireplace, media room, 1.5 baths, recreation area and bedroom. 29026740 Presented by Renee Acho
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Birmingham $649,000
Three spectacular in town Brownstones ranging from $1,350,000 $1,795,000. Large living and dining room, stunning custom kitchen, bluestone patio and elevator. Master suite with custom dressing room and marble bath with jetted tub. Finished lower level. 29074015 Presented by Renee Acho
Price Reduced! "Restoration Hardware" style newer construction with flowing floor plan featuring dark hardwood floors throughout. Gourmet kitchen has honed granite counters, custom cabinets, stainless appliances and opens to the family room with fireplace. Master suite with marble bath and custom walk in closet. 29107564 Presented by Renee Acho
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Bloomfield $2,950,000 Magnificent Bloomfield Village Home on 1.7 acres. Open floor plan with gourmet kitchen and beautiful library with stunning fireplace. Five bedroom suites, six full baths and a dramatic master suite with fireplace and his and her dual entry shower. 29153640 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
Birmingham $1,795,000
Birmingham $1,345,000
Beautifully rebuilt Colonial by Steve Templeton. Extensive use of crown and dental molding, wainscoting, marble and hardwood floors. Kitchen with island features granite center, Viking stove and double oven and sub zero fridge. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Lease for $10,000 per month. 29153654 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
Surprise jewel on an amazing one acre lot in the heart of Birmingham. An exceptional home with an elegant interior. Hardwood floors, formal dining room, eat in kitchen, three fireplaces, and year round sunroom. Six bedrooms, 5.2 baths and lower level walk out. 29153614 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
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Bloomfield Hills $1,499,000 A slice of heaven in the City of Bloomfield Hills on 1.45 acres. Updated walk-out Ranch with cedar shake roof and open floor plan. Five bedrooms, 3.2 bathrooms, 3,800+ sqft. Finished lower level boasts an additional 2,687 sqft. Hardwood floors throughout first floor. Magnificent landscape includes ornamental pond and pathways. 29067874 Presented by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky
Lake Huron Frontage $999,999 $500,000 Price Reduction! 1,300 feet of frontage on Scammon Cove, Drummond Island. Forty-five plus acres with long private gravel driveway but also abuts paved roadway on the east side. Private beach and own deep water boat dock. Great for summer home, bed and breakfast or vacation rental! Seven bedrooms and 3.2 baths. 29140848 Presented by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky
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Rochester Hills $1,750,000 Spectacular estate living in gated community close to Rochester and Stony Creek High School. Professionally decorated and landscaped. First floor master suite including 19x7 closet and study 13x13. Three bedroom suites up with separate family room and exercise room. Large gourmet kitchen with hearth room. Marble, granite, soaring ceilings, music room and much more. 29061852 Presented by Donna Barlow
Holloway Lake Frontage $949,000
Detroit $849,900
Spectacular lakefront living at its finest from the elegant grounds to the etched glass front entrance inviting you into this custom built home with views of lake. Great room offers vaulted ceilings and dramatic skylights. First floor master bedroom with deck overlooking lake. Lower level walkout plus pool house with bedroom, kitchen and bath. Beautiful yard with shed and 2 car garage. 29146170 Presented by Donna Barlow
Historic Indian Village Estate. Impressive front entrance invites you into a period of time where beauty and details of this home abounds in every room. From the hardwoods, original windows, slate roof, Pewabic sandstone, plaster, formal dining room, fireplaces and much more. Seven bedrooms, 3 car garage and separate Carriage House with 2 bedrooms. 28175905 Presented by Donna Barlow
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Kern Lake Frontage $1,999,000 Beautiful mahogany circular staircase, first and second level master suites, tiered theater room, mahogany library, central vacuum, sound and alarm system. View the French inspired exterior from the property entry and experience the 10,000 sq. ft. of living and entertaining space. Attention to every detail and highest end amenities. 29117936 Presented by Lisa Sturdevant
Bloomfield Village $1,495,000 Captivating interior renovation! Reconfigured floor plan is absolutely perfect. Kitchen by Designs Unlimited features fireplace along with Bosch, Subzero, Miele and thermador stainless steel appliances. French doors lead guests from interior living spaces to the beautiful brick terrace and yard. Lovely first floor master retreat provides both privacy and spa luxury. 29016329 Presented by Darlene Jackson
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Bloomfield Hills $3,698,000
Bloomfield $2,890,000
Exquisite home situated on 1.5 acres in the city, boast’s dramatic architectural details throughout. Chef ’s kitchen opens to hearth room and breakfast nook. Walkout lower level complete with wet bar, theater room, family room and fifth bedroom with private bath. Private backyard with gorgeous landscaping and deck. Five bedrooms and 7.2 baths. 29055113 Presented by Kathy Lyons
Contemporary masterpiece over looking Minnow Lake. Stunning architectural, exotic slate, wood floors throughout the main level and waterfall cascading down two floors. Granite chef 's kitchen, two story great room, six bedroom suites including a gorgeous master with two dressing rooms and a fabulous walkout lower level with theater and kitchen. 29141097 Presented by Marjorie Hirschfield & David Kopko
Independence Township $1,200,000
Birmingham $1,175,000
Spectacular four year old custom built home on 10.7 wooded acres. Tall ceilings, granite, travertine tile and wide plank wood floors. Luxurious master suite. Four fireplaces. Six bedrooms and 5.3 baths. 29046531 Presented by Bill Tracy
Sophisticated and elegantly decorated throughout this home boast a spacious floor plan with dramatic architectural detailing. Wonderful Chef 's kitchen with high end appliances, gracious formal dining room and a huge master suite. Four bedrooms and 3.1 baths. 29152547 Presented by Jill Beshouri
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Birmingham
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Totally remodeled Colonial with high-end amenities is situated on private hilltop cul-de-sac. Large room sizes, first floor master suite or guest quarters with second floor master suite and huge master closet and bath. 29048046 $1,495,000. Ronni Keating
You will find unmatched custom craftsmanship and detail in this Victor Saroki design. Three floors of sophisticated living space with three bedrooms and 3.1 baths. 29096779 $1,399,000. Jenny Turner
Authentic Georgian Colonial on two acres with scenic pond. Large master bedroom suite, his and her baths, and fireplace. Large gourmet kitchen with all of the amenities. Four bedrooms and 6.2 baths. 29092519 $950,000. Betty Pince
Metamora
Bloomfield
Farmington Hills
Historic country house remodeled with the finest materials. Three bedrooms, 2.1 baths, kitchen with granite. Twenty beautiful landscaped acres. Historic barn, pole barn, 4 car detached garage, heated workshop. 29117304 $879,000. David Busch
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 $699,900. Lisa Sturdevant
Wonderful classic Tobocman Contemporary on approximately 1.5 acres. Open floor plan. Stunning kitchen with top of the line appliances. Four bedrooms and 2.1 baths. 29153638 $639,000. Cindy Obron Kahn
Bingham Farms Village
Bloomfield
Birmingham
Beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home. Designed & built by Todd Bendler. Radiant heated floors, high-end SS appliances. Finished LL with studio, in-laws suite, theater room and work shop. 29143143 $628,847. Candice Cuyler
Beautiful detailing with antique leaded glass doors, extensive custom cabinets and crown molding. Beautiful master suite with two master baths. Three bedrooms and 4.1 baths. 29147504 $590,000. Chris Johnson
Dark hardwood floors throughout the main floor, designer paint, study off of foyer, granite kitchen opens to the large family room with two way fireplace. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 29146901 $569,000. Renee Acho
Bingham Farms Village
Royal Oak
West Bloomfield
Newly updated in 2008! Spacious three bedroom brick Contemporary Ranch on gorgeous two plus acres. Two story living room and stunning floor to ceiling fireplace. Fabulous patio, pool and private yard. 29133200 $550,000. Candice Cuyler
Stunning home on one of the most desirable streets in Royal Oak. Substantial renovations done in 2001 with 2nd floor addition. Large eat-in kitchen. Master suite with two skylights and walk in closet. 29141743 $339,900. Ann Greenberg
Sprawling four bedroom, 3.1 bath Ranch with desirable Birmingham schools. A 2005 updated master suite. This 3,655 sqft home also features a granite island and Corian countertops in the kitchen. 29108148 $229,900. Avery Weisling
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Renovations 52
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Additions
New Homes THE PAPER
info@templetonbc.com
Historical Restoration JANUARY 2010
■ municipal Renovation work closes Lincoln Hills for the winter
Initial search steps taken Commission starts looking for manager
By Lisa Brody A pending renovation project will force local winter sports enthusiasts to find somewhere besides Birmingham’s Lincoln Hills Golf Course to take the kids sledding, enjoy cross country skiing or snow shoeing, or even to walk the dog through the snow. In addition, those looking for a late fall/early winter round of golf on a clear day will have to head to Birmingham’s Springdale Golf Course. Lincoln Hills is closed for winter, as the clubhouse is undergoing extensive renovations. The golf course closed on Sunday, Oct. 25 for the 2009 season. Birmingham Parks and Recreation officials hope to reopen the golf course in March 2010. Usztan Construction LLC of Auburn Hills has begun the renovation work at the clubhouse. Improvements are scheduled to include new doors and windows; a new heating and cooling system; a new roof; creating handicap accessibility throughout the building; updating the restrooms; replacing all of the countertops; building a covered storage area for golf carts; landscaping around the building; and adding decorative fencing along 14 Mile Road. Later in the spring, the parking lot will be completely repaved. Additionally, the Birmingham City Commission — along with Birmingham Parks and Recreation officials — is determining the feasibility of building a city dog park on the eastern edge of the Lincoln Hills parking lot and into the golf course rough toward Cranbrook Road. To accomplish the dog park project, the Lincoln Hills parking lot would be shortened, the land would be cultivated, and fencing would delineate the new park area. Two gates would be installed — one near the Lincoln Hills clubhouse, and the other near the intersection of 14 Mile and Cranbrook roads. Lincoln Hills’ winter sports opportunities are scheduled to resume again next winter. ■
City ledgers earn unqualified opinion from auditors By Lisa Brody Plante & Moran auditors submitted a fiscal year (FY) 2008-09 www.oaklandpaper.com
By Lisa Brody
B
irmingham city commissioners took their first step toward finding a replacement for City Manager Tom Markus in lateNovember by interviewing representatives of four executive search firms. Markus has announced he will be retiring in the spring of 2011. At the Nov. 23 meeting, commissioners allotted a half-hour per executive recruitment firm for a presentation and follow-up questions from city commissioners and the public. A request for proposals (RFP) had gone out to national search firms, and city staff interviewed and narrowed the field down to four firms for city commissioners to interview. “We have several good choices. They all are experienced and have strong backgrounds in recruitment of city managers,” said Birmingham Mayor Rackeline Hoff. Commissioner Stuart Sherman agreed. Tom Markus “They are all qualified firms, they just have different ways of doing things,” he said. “They each have their own methodologies.” The commissioners heard presentations from representatives of the Michigan Municipal League, a non-profit foundation supporting local government leadership and development, headquartered in Ann Arbor; The Mercer Group, Inc., from Atlanta, Ga., who said they provide the highest-quality management consulting services to federal, state and local governments; Affion Public, LLC of Harrisburg, Pa., a strategic consulting and advisory services firm providing technology and human resource services to state and local government; and Slavin Management Consultants of Norcross, Ga., which was created by former government employees to provide quality human resources services to public sector organizations. After the presentations, commissioners discussed the next steps they would need to take, including whether the commission’s longterm goals — to be determined at a day-long work session in January — are in sync with the city manager job profile. “This group has to define what we want in a manager,” said Commissioner Tom McDaniel. “Maybe by doing our five-year plan (at the long-range planning session), we will create the goals for a manager,” Hoff said. “We need to determine the community’s goals in order to facilitate a search, to see who would fit into those goals,” Sherman said. “We have some time, since we’re not going to actively recruit until September or October,” said Commissioner Gordon Rinschler. The commission determined that the city’s staff would contact each of the four recruitment firms to develop a profile for a city manager, and by interviewing each separately, what research it would take for them to create a profile. “This will be very helpful for us in selecting a search firm,” Hoff said. ■ unqualified audit opinion to the Birmingham City Commission on Dec. 7, indicating the city’s financial reporting was conducted fairly and making no recommendations to change the city’s business practices. Joe Heffernan and Christopher Jones of Plante & Moran conducted the audit, and stated that without qualification, the city’s financial ledgers were correct and could be relied upon. They reviewed property taxes, state shared revenue, invest-
ment earnings, and other sources of income for the city. They noted that, as with other municipalities, revenues were down during the last fiscal year year. The city had revenues of $47.6 million, and expenditures of $43.4 million during the 2009 fiscal year, ending June 30, 2009. Governmental activities generated $30.4 million in revenues, of which property taxes contributed $27.1 million, down from $27.5 million in
THE PAPER
fiscal year 2007-08; charges for services raised $16.4 million, down from $17 million in 2007-08; and operating grants and contributions accounted for $1.7 million, up from $1.4 million in 2007-08. The city’s top expenditures were public safety, at $11.2 million, down from $11.3 million in 2007-08; water and sewer at $9.6 million, up from $9.5 million; and public works at $8.4 million, up from $7.7 million in 2007-08. The auditors said that taxable property values were down in the city. “Taxable values peaked in 2008,” Jones said. “They started falling in 2009, and in 2010, they will be much lower. There will be two, maybe three years of declining property value years coming.” The auditors stated there is little direct city revenue from state or federal governmental activities to offset expenditures. “Therefore, they must be made up with general revenues,” Heffernan said. Net assets stayed nearly the same as the previous fiscal year, rising a little, which will benefit the city against a looming liability — retiree health insurance coverage. Birmingham currently has 196 beneficiaries. Previously, employee pension and health care were counted as deferred compensation, and municipalities didn’t need to include those liabilities in their budgets. Changes in Governmental Accounting Standards Board rules will require municipalities to count deferred compensation from employee pension and health care systems as liabilities. “There will be $40 million for that liability, in addition to decreased property values and decreased state shared revenues,” said City Manager Tom Markus. “We will be contributing $5 million out of the city’s budget just for pensions and retiree health care costs. That’s more, for example, than the entire fire department’s budget at $4.8 million.” The city’s general fund balance was up at the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year. The unreserved fund balance was $11.4 million, or 42 percent of the total general fund expenditures and transfers out. Commissioner Stuart Lee Sherman said he felt very positive about the audit. “Because of the way we’ve done our budget, we’ve really gotten ahead of the curve,” he said. “We need to protect our fund balance.” “Despite being a community with a AAA rating, we still have economic issues,” Markus said. “We have to find more efficient ways of delivering services.” ■ 53
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Contact Jules Pickard. 248.360.7355 or julespickard@thescngroup.com. It's that simple. THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
■ municipal Township officials considering various budget scenarios
Liquor license proposal Economic development option mulled
By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has accepted preliminary budget scenarios for the 2010 fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2010, detailing a balanced budget if a proposed operational millage increase is not authorized by voters in February, and also a balanced budget that accounts for the millage proposal passing. While neither scenario is ideal for the township, the passage of the millage proposal will allow the township to stave off deep cuts in the road, public safety, and general government departments. Without the proposed millage hike, those departments will suffer severe losses that will result in longer response times, a decrease in snow clearing during the winter, and an increase in wait time for residents who come into the Township Hall for various services. A final 2010 budget will be adopted in March. “We don’t know if the millage is going to pass or not, and either way we need a balanced budget,” said Supervisor Dave Payne. “That’s why we have the two scenarios. If it does pass, we will be able to balance the budget, and if it doesn’t pass, then the board needs to know what the deficit would be and then what we would need to do to correct that deficit.” The township is seeking a 10-year, 1.3-mill general government millage increase that would allow the township to maintain city services at current levels. A special election on the proposal is scheduled for Feb. 23. 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. According to Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli,the 2009 average taxable value of a Bloomfield Township home in the Bloomfield Hills School District is $205,133 (410,266 average market value), making its annual property tax obligation $7,492. Roncelli said based on township projections for 2010, the same property’s taxable value will fall to $184,106, which in turn will reduce its taxes to $6,724 — an overall decrease of $768. If the proposed millage hike of 1.3 mills is approved by township voters, that same home’s property tax will still decrease, according to Roncelli, but by $528, not $768, for a total tax bill of $6,964. Payne said it’s very important for residents to have a clear understanding of the financial situation the township is facing, and an understanding of how the millage increase would work. www.oaklandpaper.com
By Lisa Brody
B
irmingham city commissioners have directed the city’s Planning Board to review proposed zoning ordinance amendments that would implement an economic development liquor license option in the city. Commissioners, taking action at a Dec. 21 meeting, also directed the Planning Board to hold a public hearing on the amendments. Under the proposal, economic development liquor licenses would be designed as tools for economic development in specific areas of town. The idea was originally examined by the commission in 2007, at the same time the city’s 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 license in the future. At the most, only two economic development liquor licenses could be issued in a calendar year. If an economic development liquor license is issued, a bistro license would no longer be available. Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker presented language from the 2007 ordinance proposal to the commissioners on Dec. 21, with possible zoning ordinance amendment suggestions. There must be a financial investment threshold to qualify for an economic development license. In 2007, it was $7.5 million. Commissioner “Residents need to know what the implications are,” he said. “I think the most difficult thing to grasp is that because of the way that Proposal A works and our property tax laws, there is a misconception out there that once the economy and housing market turns around, we’re going to be fine — it doesn’t work that way.” Because of Proposal A, township revenues from property taxes can’t rise annually more than the rate of inflation or 5 percent, whichever is less. “Your house could be worth twice as much in the future as it is right now, but our revenues are restricted to taxable value, which can’t increase that much,” Payne said. “I’m sure people think we’re like the business world — when sales at a company return, then profits return — and it doesn’t work that way for us.” In addition, while staffing has decreased at the township, the demand for services has increased. Again, unlike in the business world, the township can’t just lay off people
Scott Moore said he would like that threshold increased. “The number bantering around among staff is $15 million,” Ecker said. The areas of Birmingham to be designated for economic development liquor licenses became a point of debate among commissioners. Most seem comfortable with designating the Triangle District — where economic conditions have stymied development — as a good candidate for the alternative licenses. Others wanted the area extended to the Woodward Corridor, and a few felt it should also be placed in the downtown business overlay district. “All we’re trying to do is add another tool to our toolbox to create appropriate development,” said Commissioner Stuart Lee Sherman. “It’s going forward and seeing where do we want to target development,” Moore said. “We have no pedestrian traffic on Woodward. We have to build a bridge, and that’s people and investment.” Restaurant owners Bill Roberts of Streetside Seafood and Susan Peabody of Peabody’s spoke against the economic development liquor licenses. “Those of us in the restaurant business are holding on for our dear lives,” Roberts said. Ecker said she would take all comments back to the Planning Board, where members will draft ordinance amendments and hold a public hearing before returning to the commission for approval. ■ because revenues are down — there isn’t a corresponding decrease in demand for services, according to Payne. “We have to keep doing more and more with less employees,” he said. Currently, the township has 17 fewer police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) employees than it had in 1988; however, police calls have increased by 2,907 a year from 1988, and fire and EMS incidents have increased by 1,633 a year since 1988. “These aren’t convenience or luxury services; these are emergency services that we provide, and I don’t think that’s something we really want to cut,” Payne said. The first 2010 budget scenario is the proposed budget without the passage of the millage proposal. Total revenues for the fiscal year are projected at $35.75 million. Total expenditures are projected at $35.7 million. The top two revenue sources would be property taxes and state shared revenue. The top expenses would be personnel and operations.
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To balance the budget without the millage increase, layoffs would be necessary. There would be a 22 percent reduction in general government personnel, a 17 percent reduction in police, a 13 percent decrease in fire, and a 35 percent decrease in road department personnel. To eliminate a projected deficit, 25 employees from those departments would have to be laid off by April 1, 2010. By April 2011, without the millage, an additional 45 to 50 employees in those departments would have to be laid off. The layoffs would be necessary to eliminate a $3.1 million deficit in the annual operating budget that begins April 1, 2010. The millage hike would prevent the layoffs, if it passes, and restore some lost revenues to cover the deficit. By 2011, the township is anticipating a $6 million deficit. According to Payne, the millage increase would prevent the permanent elimination of police and fire/EMS positions that would be necessary without restored funding. Those departments would remain close to current levels. Even with the millage gaining voter approval, the township will have to continue to utilize other cost-cutting strategies as detailed in a strategic plan. The millage, if passed, is expected to bring in $4.51 million for the township in its first year of collection. ■
Hazardous resonse cost recovery ordinance pending By Brooke Meier Bloomfield Township officials have approved an ordinance amendment allowing the Fire Department to take part in a hazardous waste response cost-recovery program with other municipalities. “This is really an amendment to our old cost-recovery ordinance,” said Bloomfield Township Fire Chief Dave Piche. “All Oakland County fire departments are creating or amending their ordinances so that we are all in line with each other on hazardous material cost recovery within Oakland County. What this does is provide protection to the municipalities when there is a large hazardous materials incident within their community. This ensures municipalities would have a way to recover any costs associated with cleaning up a mess that’s been left by a company, for example.” Piche said the fire department will now have the ability — if it chooses — to make a responsible party pay for a response and cleanup. “It can cost upwards of thousands of dollars to clean up hazardous materials,” he said. The revised ordinance takes immediate effect. ■ 55
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INTERIORS JANUARY 2010
■ municipal Township holding special election on millage increase By Brooke Meier Bloomfield Township will hold a special election on Feb. 23, 2010 on a proposed 1.3-mill general government millage increase that would allow the township to maintain city services at current levels. The township Board of Trustees has voted to schedule the special millage election after considering the results of a resident survey on township services. The proposed ballot language, as submitted to Oakland County officials, states: Shall the Charter Township of Bloomfield be authorized to levy new additional millage of 1.30 mills for a period of ten (10) years to support and fund the operations of the township, including but not limited to police, fire, emergency medical services, department of public works and all other general operations of the township? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax limitation increase of $1.30 per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the township. It is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect $4,518,650 in the first year if authorized and fully levied. 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. According to Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli,the 2009 average taxable value of a Bloomfield Township home in the Bloomfield Hills School District is $205,133 (410,266 average market value), making its annual property tax obligation $7,492. “Based on our projections for 2010, that home’s taxable value will decrease to $184,106, which in turn will reduce its taxes to $6,724,” she said. “This is an overall decrease of $768.” If the proposed millage hike of 1.3 mills is approved by township voters, that same home’s property tax will still decrease, according to Roncelli, but by $528, not $768, for a total tax bill of $6,964. The February special election is estimated to cost the township somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000 to hold. “We’ve got to turn the language into the county, put out absentee ballot request forms, get ballots printed and put together an informational package for the residents, as well,” Roncelli said. The decision to go ahead with the special election was made at a Monday, Nov. 23 Board of Trustees meeting after reviewing the results of a recent survey of township voters. Mitchell Research and Communications, Inc. polled 300 registered voters in the township www.oaklandpaper.com
between Oct. 12 and Oct. 15, and asked a series of questions related to police and fire services, the township board and the potential ballot proposal. Mitchell Research and Communications, a Lansing-based consulting and polling firm, was paid $8,900 to conduct the survey. The township commissioned the study in light of a projected budget shortfall of at least $6 million by the start of the 2011 fiscal year. The survey results have a 5.6 percent +/- margin of error. The first survey question was, “Do you approve or disapprove of the job that the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees is doing?” Results indicate 52 percent of those polled somewhat approve and 29 percent strongly approve, totaling an 81 percent approval rating. The statement, “I trust the board and management of the Bloomfield Township board will spend the money just how they say they will if voters pass a ballot proposal” resulted in 33 percent of polled voters strongly agreeing and 39 percent stating they somewhat agree. Polled voters were also asked, “How important is it to continue to have the same level of police protection and not reduce the number of police officer’s patrolling the township?” Results indicated 63 percent stated it was very important and 26 percent stated it’s somewhat important. The same question was asked of fire services, with 67 percent responding very important and 26 percent stating somewhat important. When that question was asked of the public works department, 45 percent of responders stated it was very important and 39 percent stated it was somewhat important. When the ballot language stated above was posed to those polled, 16 percent said they would definitely vote yes, 36 percent said they would probably vote yes, 20 percent said they would probably vote no and 19 percent said they would definitely vote no. When given information that reflected negatively on the proposed millage, 46 percent of those polled continued to support the ballot language. When positive information was given about the millage, 57 percent supported the ballot proposal. All of the voters polled were the registered voter at the household called and have voted in previous township elections. Of those polled, 75 percent said they would vote in a special election and 17 percent said they probably would vote. The proposed millage is one of the options laid out in the township’s strategic plan to help resolve upcoming budget deficits. “All of the dollars generated by the millage proposal will stay in the township,” said Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne. “If passed, the millage will restore a portion of
the revenue that has been lost because of declining property values. If it does not pass, we will have to eliminate more than 20 percent of our police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. Inevitably, that will mean a slower response time for crimes, fires, and EMS. A slowdown in response time could mean the difference between life and death.” According to Payne, the number of police, fire and EMS incidents has grown by more than 20 percent over the past 20 years and public safety workers have been reduced by more than 10 percent over the same length of time. “We cannot eliminate any more employees and continue to provide the same level of police, fire and EMS protection,” Payne said. Township Treasurer Dan Devine agrees. “Despite reductions in state revenue sharing and drastically falling property tax revenue, we have been able to balance our annual budget each year because of sound fiscal management and major cuts in spending,” Devine said. “Bloomfield Township is one of the few municipalities that has made major changes in health insurance coverage and retirement plans. These actions have resulted in yearly savings of almost $1 million.” Despite the measures taken, the reality is the township can’t cut more, according to township officials. “The bottom line is that 100 percent of this money will stay in Bloomfield Township,” Payne said. “It will allow us to continue the same level of police, fire and EMS protection, as well as other essential public services such as snow plowing. We hope our residents will support this 1.3 mills for operational expenses so we can continue to protect them and provide the same level of service they depend upon.” ■
McDaniel plans to leave Birmingham commission in June Birmingham City Commissioner Tom McDaniel has announced that he will be leaving the City Commission in June 2010 to move to Arlington, Va., where his wife, Susan, has accepted a job. McDaniel was first elected to the commission in November 2002, and served as mayor in 2007. He previously served on the city’s Historical Board. McDaniel’s current term ends in November 2011. State Rep. Chuck Moss (RBirmingham, Bloomfield), a former city commissioner, attended the Dec. 21 City Commission meeting to wish McDaniel well. “I wanted to share my dismay that (McDaniel) is leaving, and wanted to wish him well,” Moss said. City Manager Tom Markus advised
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commissioners that they can advertise for candidates and interview them, or appoint a past commissioner to fill in until the end of McDaniel’s term. “The commission should set the options and make the decisions,” Markus said. McDaniel is a retired GM Vice President of Asian and Pacific Operations, and has three sons and two daughters. ■
Commissioners updated on work at, around Shain Park By Lisa Brody The final touches on Shain Park improvements are being planned for spring and summer 2010, including completion of the surrounding streetscapes and sidewalks along Henrietta, Martin, Bates, and Townsend streets. “We’ll be doing a complete rehab of the area,” said Birmingham Director of Engineering Paul O’Meara. “It’s a big, encompassing project.” O’Meara presented landscape plans and drawings by an architectural firm at a Dec. 21 Birmingham City Commission meeting. Included were renderings for a renovated and newly landscaped City Hall entrance. O’Meara said costs are not yet available for this part of the project; he estimates it may cost about $1 million if design costs are included. He was updating the commissioners, not asking them to approve anything. “We’ll know the amount when we go out for bids,” he said. As part of the streetscaping, Martin Street will be widened and returned to two-way traffic. Angled parking will be added all around the park to replace the parallel parking currently there. As for the City Hall redesign and landscape project, “we are widening Martin significantly, so a lot of green space is going away,” O’Meara said. “It doesn’t make sense to overlandscape at this point.” There will be angled parking in front of City Hall and a row of trees adjacent to the parking, and then another row of full trees. Three granite steps will lead to an upper level of City Hall, where an area with exposed aggregate will host the city’s flag pole. Another set of three steps will lead up to a granite porch and the entrance to City Hall. The entrance will not be handicap-accessible, as such an entrance exists at the side of City Hall, at the police station. O’Meara also presented current unforeseen improvement costs for Shain Park work, which include $28,868 for a permanent canopy and its winterization costs, and the cost for granite footings for a pergola. “These costs are still below our authorized budget,” said Mayor Rackeline Hoff. ■ 57
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ichard Bernstein may be blind, but it can’t be said that he defines himself by his disability. At 35-years-old, the Birmingham resident is a successful lawyer, working side-by-side with his father, brother and sister at the Sam Bernstein Law Firm. He teaches social justice at the University of Michigan, runs marathons, and has completed the grueling Ironman competition. Law school was one of the most difficult experiences Bernstein ever endured. "What takes you an hour to do will take me four hours to do," he said. Never one to give up, Bernstein made a pact with God that if he could get through law school, he would spend his career making a positive impact on the world. True to his word, Bernstein has done just that. After establishing a pro bono division at his family's Farmington Hills practice, Bernstein took on the University of Michigan and was able to get its football stadium up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. He also tackled the issue of pedestrian crossing signals at the new
traffic roundabout at Maple and Drake roads in West Bloomfield Township, making it safer for not only the disabled, but all pedestrians. As a result of his efforts, a new high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) pedestrianactivated signal was installed at the roundabout. "It benefits everyone who crosses the street," Bernstein said. "When you fight for disabled people, you're fighting for everyone." Not only does Bernstein take cases at no cost, but he's generally fighting against massive entities. "Every one of my cases is a David vs. Goliath story," he said. "You're in the trenches fighting and doing the very best that you can and, ultimately, you're making life better for other people." In the game of life, Bernstein doesn't waste a second or let his disability inhibit his success. "You never know what's going to happen," he said. "So, I know I'd better do something today that makes this day count." — Katey Meisner
■ county Countywide SMART millage vote nixed by county board By Leslie Shepard-Owsley
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The Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday, Dec. 9, to let individual communities decide whether to seek voter authorization to collect a two-year millage for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus transit system. The county board’s General Government Committee had previously recommended continuing the opt-in/opt-out system for individual communities in renewing a four-year, 0.59-mill SMART tax next year. The current SMART millage is slated to expire in August 2010. Oakland County Commissioner Stephen Schwartz (D-Farmington Hills) had proposed a countywide millage renewal in 2010, thereby eliminating the traditional opt-in/optout system for individual communities while lowering the proposed property tax for SMART. That proposal failed to rally enough votes in committee, but Schwartz attempted to resurrect his proposal during the Dec. 9 Board of Commissioners meeting. “I motioned to make a substitution for a two-year millage at 0.54 mills countywide, but that proposal was blocked on procedural grounds,” Schwartz said. Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard Jr. (RHighland) ruled Schwartz’s substitution proposal wasn’t germane to the resolution on the floor. “It had a whole different statutory basis than (Commissioner John) Scott’s (proposal) and was defeated in committee,” Bullard said. “Schwartz wants a countywide tax and this wasn’t the way for him to come back at us when it was already defeated. I made a parliamentary ruling (to block consideration of the substitution proposal).” In retaliation, Schwartz motioned to overrule Bullard, but the motion failed in a 13-12 vote. Scott (R-Waterford) authored the resolution passed by the Board of Commissioners’ General Government Committee on Nov. 30 to let individual communities continue to decide whether to place a 0.59-mill SMART tax on their local ballots next year. After much debate and discourse, Schwartz motioned on Dec. 9 to reduce the term of the SMART millage from four years to two years. That change was passed in a 13-12 vote, with County Commissioner David Potts (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield) siding with Schwartz.
“All the Republicans except for Potts voted against it, but now it must go back on the ballot in two years,” Scott said. “This will be problematic for SMART, which is having hardships with its budget. They won’t be able to forecast out. It’s a broken system and I don’t see this as a way to fix it.” According to Schwartz, the fouryear millage would cause SMART to make further cuts, thereby compromising service. “Service would have to be cut so much it would end up being a non-
functioning system, and a millage is intended to maintain service,” Schwartz said. “While SMART is balanced for the current and following fiscal year, their fiscal year begins July 1 and the millage covers until Dec. 1, so the first six months of the two-year millage may be balanced, but they’ll have a problem in the last 18 months.” According to Megan Owens, director of Transportation Riders United, the problem involving SMART isn’t whether the millage is voted on every two or four years; rather, it’s the funding mechanisms that support it. “Even if it stayed the same and was voted on every four years, the problem is the deficits,” she said. “Despite making administrative cuts, increasing efficiencies and increasing rider fares, the long-range picture doesn’t show long-term or stable funding. We need to keep focused on developing sufficient funding in years three and four,” she said. Owens cited declines in property values and state fuel tax revenues as culprits in SMART funding shortfalls. “SMART is in the midst of a perfect storm,” Owens said. “Both gas and property taxes are in decline, and yet ridership demand is rising. It’s disingenuous to the voters to say that they would be receiving four years of service when in 2011-2013 we’ll be in deficits.”
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Schwartz said SMART has a small window of time to work out funding issues before the hammer falls. “The state is diverting money incorrectly to DDOT (the Detroit Department of Transportation) and the People Mover,” Schwartz said. “There is a short window of time to attack the inefficiencies. SMART is not getting what the state committed — money is being siphoned off by another system. As of Dec. 9 the (county) board voted to pass a resolution to ask the Legislature to actually fund SMART according to population, as laid out in state statute.” SMART is funded through three primary sources. The 0.59-mill property tax levied in opt-in communities accounts for about 50 percent of SMART’s annual operating expenses. Another 30 percent is funded through the 19-cents per gallon gas tax collection that’s split between road and transit agencies; and the remaining 20 percent of SMART revenue comes from rider fares. SMART is currently funded by a 0.59-mill property tax, last renewed by voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties in 2006. Currently, 23 Oakland County communities opt into the Oakland County Public Transportation Authority (OCPTA) by levying a SMART millage, including Birmingham and Bloomfield Township. According to Oakland County Deputy Executive Gerald Poisson, about 56 percent of the county’s registered voters live in SMART opt-in communities, and the remaining 44 percent of voters live in opt-out communities that would be forced to collect $13 million in taxes if Schwartz’ original proposal was approved next year by a majority of county voters. Bullard said Schwartz’s effort to amend the SMART ballot question resolution sponsored by Scott was intended to revamp SMART’s funding mechanism sooner than later. “This was his backstop,” Bullard said. “He hopes to change the system after two years, otherwise SMART is locked into it for four.” In the interim, Schwartz is trying to galvanize more local level support to place the two-year millage renewal proposal on local ballots next year. “He’s been visiting local municipalities to convince them to speak out on a countywide tax,” Bullard said. “He’s already visited West Bloomfield and Novi, and this can be a hot issue at the local level.” Bullard said that though the issue is dead at this juncture, it could arise again by late May. “If local boards don’t oppose the tactic, they may jump on board, or he may revive it after the (2010) elections if another crop of county commissioners is elected,” Bullard said. ■ JANUARY 2010
■ state $127-per-pupil state funding cut suspended for now
Smoking ban approved Prohibition in public places begins May 1
By Lisa Brody Gov. Jennifer Granholm has temporarily suspended a $127-per-pupil cut in state funding for Michigan public schools. The Granholm administration alerted school districts Thursday, Dec. 10 that due to an unexpected surplus of over $100 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget, the $127-per-pupil cut will not be implemented as planned in the schools’ December monthly state aid payments. Granholm ordered the $127-perpupil cut in October, enacting a lineitem veto in the K-12 school budget the Senate had sent her and claiming the budget didn’t balance. At the time, Granholm stated that only a tax increase could restore funding for schools. For the schools’ December state aid payment, which is scheduled to be made Monday, Dec. 21, all public schools will still see a $165-per-pupil cut approved by the Legislature under the FY 2010 budget. In addition, $51.5 million will be cut from the state’s 39 so-called Section 20J school districts, which are among those with the highest local property tax bases. According to Betsy Erikson, communications and community relations director for Bloomfield Hills Schools, the district will lose about $600,000 in 20J funding for the current school year. According to Marcia Wilkinson, director of community relations for the Birmingham Public School District, the district is expected to lose approximately $1 million in 20J funding this year. “Our students are always our top priority and any mid-year reductions would be structured so there is no impact on current programs and services,” she said. “In other words, students would not be negatively affected by any mid-year reductions we make.” The future of the $127-per-pupil cut won’t be known until after the state’s January revenue estimating conference, when Granholm could restore the funding cut or implement a smaller cut. State Treasurer Robert Kleine and Budget Director Robert Emerson discovered the unexpected surplus in the FY 2009 budget as they were closing the state’s books. The surplus is the result of commercial and industrial property tax revenue, which actually increased in recent www.oaklandpaper.com
By Lisa Brody
O
n May 1, 2010, Michigan will become the 38th state in the nation to ban smoking in public places. The Michigan House of Representatives and Senate voted on Thursday, Dec. 10 to approve House Bill (HB) 4377, which will prohibit smoking in work places, including bars and restaurants throughout Michigan. An exemption will allow smoking on casino gaming floors and in smoke shops, cigar bars, home offices, and vehicles. The vehicle exemption was added especially for commercial truck drivers. Restaurants, bars and hotels within casinos will also become smoke-free on May 1. The legislation prevents new cigar bars from opening. The bill was approved in the Senate with a 24-13 vote, and a 75-30 vote in the House. Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the bill on Monday, Dec. 14. State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield) and state Rep. Chuck Moss (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) voted in
months by 1.5 percent, as opposed to dropping by 2.5 percent as expected. Kleine said the surplus was a complete surprise, considering his office was projecting a 5.7 percent decline in commercial and industrial property tax revenue in 2010. Additionally, revenues for November were slightly higher than expected, and a new lottery Powerball game is estimated to bring in an additional $30 million. “I’m happy there are some more funds, and it helps to alleviate the problem for a little while, but I still think it doesn’t take legislators off the hook for providing adequate funding for schools so our children get a good education,” said state Sen. Deb Cherry (D-Waterford). “When talking with school superintendents, it actually makes life more difficult for them because they don’t know how to budget,” said state Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake) of the uncertainty over the $127-per-pupil cut in education spending. “The governor didn’t rescind the funding (cut), she has suspended it— then who knows?
favor of the legislation. “The bill strikes a good balance between business owners and the public’s desire for smoke-free bars and restaurants,” Moss said. Violations will be assessed against the smoker, not the establishment. Violations will be civil infractions, with the first violation resulting in a $100 fine and subsequent violations leading up to a $500 fine. State Rep. Hugh Crawford (RNovi), a member of the House Regulatory Reform Committee, which investigated the bill and its potential effects on bars and restaurants, said committee members visited the three Detroit casinos to see how it would impact them, and determined it was wise to exempt gaming floors from the smoking ban, as people would just head to Indian casinos which also allow smoking on gaming floors. “They all, but especially MGM, do an excellent job of recirculating the air on their casino floors,” Crawford said. “We needed a compromise (on the bill). We didn’t have the votes for a total ban.” ■ The schools are looking for longterm, stable funding.” ■
Legislature adopts reform bills to seek federal funding By Lisa Brody staff writer
The state Legislature has completed its task of drafting and passing a package of educational reform bills, with the ultimate intent of qualifying for a portion of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top money. State lawmakers adopted the reform bills on Saturday, Dec. 19. State Sen. John Pappageorge (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) and state Rep. Chuck Moss voted in favor of all the reform bills. House Bill (HB) 4788 amends the Public Employment Relations Act to ensure negotiations and provisions contained in Senate Bill (SB) 981. It addresses seniority issues and work rules, and performance goals for schools and students. HB 4787 places the state super-
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intendent of public instruction, who would hire a state school reform/redesign officer, in charge of carrying out educational reforms for the state. The bill also requires students to attend school until they are 18years-old, rather than the current 16-years-old. HB 5596, with a few Senate modifications, requires the state superintendent of public instruction to establish a process for a person to earn an interim teaching certificate that would qualify them to teach in public schools and, after three years of good performance reviews, receive a teaching certificate. Senate Bill (SB) 926 creates a student-to-teacher performance database. A state hotline will be opened for teachers to call in order to ensure they receive basic instructional supplies and books. If the teacher’s district doesn’t provide the necessary materials and supplies to the teacher within three days, the state Department of Education can buy the materials and supplies for them, and deduct that expense from the district’s state aid payments. SB 981 designates a school district as a turnaround school district if the superintendent determines that 25 percent or more of the pupils in the district are enrolled in schools that are in the lowest achieving 5 percent in the state, as defined for the purposes of the Federal Incentive Grant Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In essence, this provides for the creation of a turnaround czar position in the state Department of Education, who will be able to establish a process for state interventions or takeovers of poorly performing schools, including to achieve a graduation rate of at least 80 percent and an attendance rate of at least 80 percent. The bill sets up watch lists for at-risk schools, and lists details for operating turnaround schools. The legislation also allows for high-quality charter schools to become “schools of excellence” that could open one new charter school each. Ten schools of innovation to be run by high-performing charter school operators from across the state, and two 400- to 1,000-student cyber high schools, geared towards high school dropouts, would also be created. The state Department of Education now needs to finish a complex application by Jan. 19 in order to seek a portion of the Race to the Top federal funding. If Michigan is successful, it’s likely to receive as much as $400 million in federal funding, based on the number of students in the state. ■ 61
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jeremy abbott
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eremy Abbott, U.S. men's figure skating champion, laced up his first pair of skates at 2-years-old, and now, at 24, he has his eyes set on competing in the Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, this February. "When I was 4-years-old, my mom took me to an ice show and I saw 1980 Olympic champion Robin Cousins perform," he said. "I was so mesmerized by what he could do on ice. Ever since that moment, there's been no looking back." Born and raised in Colorado, Abbott has always had a talent and passion for figure skating, and his family has always supported him. "I get a lot of inspiration from my family," he said. "They uprooted their lives so I could continue to train. My parents are my biggest fans, and my sister is a huge, huge support." It was Coach Yuka Sato, a former Olympic champion from Japan who is now working at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Township, and a chance for a fresh start that brought Abbott to Michigan from his home in Colorado Springs. He now lives in Bloomfield Hills. "I really liked Yuka's personality," he said. "I liked her philosophy on
training and coaching, and I wanted to come work with her. And I really love the atmosphere at the Detroit Skating Club." Abbott has embraced his new digs in Bloomfield Hills and takes frequent trips to Birmingham for dining and shopping. "I love Caruso Caruso," he said. "I really enjoy Chen Chow, New Bangkok, and Toast is one of my favorite places to go for breakfast," he said. Though Abbott is enjoying Michigan and living on his own for the first time, he's not certain where his career will take him from here. But, as a premier skater, he plans to continue to work towards his ultimate goal. "I've always wanted to be in the Olympics," he said. "I feel confident in my chances to be on the team. I have to say that being confident enough in myself to take control of my career and move to Michigan has been a big defining moment in my career." In the meantime, Abbott continues to compete, push himself to greatness while taking a little time for himself to enjoy what the Birmingham and Bloomfield communities have to offer. — Katey Meisner The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
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JANUARY 2010
■ business The husband and wife team of Steve and Carey McNaughton have taken ownership of the Whistle Stop Café at 501 S. Eton St. in Birmingham. The change took place on Nov. 9 after previous owner Mike Rafferty offered the business to the McNaughtons, who have been employees of the Whistle Stop for years. “I was a cook and manager; Carey was a waitress and manager,” McNaughton said. “Matt (Rafferty)
wanted to do other things, so he offered it to us and we decided to take it.” McNaughton, who has been in the restaurant business for 20 years, has already made some menu changes. “We have different potato pancakes,” he said. “We’re also going to add some things to the dinner menu like fetteccine, liver and onions and spaghetti.” The new owners have also decided to extend their hours. “We’re going to open up for dinner on Jan. 1.” According to McNaughton, it’s the people who make owning the Whistle Stop worthwhile. “I love everybody,” he said. “We sit down and eat with people. Kids are the most important. Whatever the kids want, they get. If they want Mickey Mouse pancakes, we make Mickey Mouse pancakes.” Previous owner Matt Rafferty ran the restaurant and bakery for nearly five years. “It was never my plan to retire from the Whistle Stop,” Rafferty said. “I always had a five to seven year plan and it just so happens that I am at a point in my personal life that it makes sense to take what I’ve learned and apply it somewhere else.” Born and raised in Birmingham, a mere two streets away from the Whistle Stop, Rafferty said he’s been a patron of the restaurant since he was 5-years-old. “It will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he said. “I will miss the people that worked for me day in and day out. I will miss the loyal customers, the conversations and camaraderie.” Though Rafferty is sad to let go of the restaurant, he has high hopes for the new management. “I wish the new owners all the success in the world as The Whistle Stop Restaurant and Bakery is truly an institution and a lost art.” ■ Cheeburger Cheeburger at 755 E. Maple St. in Birmingham has closed after just opening on Aug. 4 under owners Sherry Howard and her www.oaklandpaper.com
daughter, Jessica Cohen. The closure was due to unforeseen circumstances, according to a note left on the door of the establishment. ■ Previously known as the Java Hutt Café at 207 S. Old Woodward Ave. in Birmingham, owners Lisa and Richard Spicko have re-branded their business as the Zuma Coffee House. Having purchased the coffee house just over a year ago, Lisa Spicko cited two reasons for the name change. “Primarily, we wanted to establish our own identity and relaunch with a name that is meaningful to us and the journey that brought us to owning a business in Birmingham,” she said. The Spickos adopted two Latin American boys in 2007 and the word “zuma” means “new beginning or journey” in Mayan dialect, according to Spicko. “The other force behind the re-branding is to eliminate confusion in the marketplace from having two coffee shops with the same name within relatively close geographic proximity,” she said. “The previous owners of our shop own the original Java Hutt Café in Ferndale.” The owners intend to keep much of the café the same. “Most of all, we will remain committed to serving the best coffee in Birmingham. Birmingham is a great community to own a business,” the Seaholm High School graduate said. “We have received a lot of support from the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, the Principle Shopping District, Fuller Central Park Properties, the Baldwin Library, as well as the community at large.” ■ Arhaus Furniture at 202 N. Old Woodward Ave. in Birmingham has closed despite a previous statement from an Arhaus spokesperson who told The Paper just two months ago that they had no plans to do so. The furniture store, offering one-of-a-kind, unique pieces, opened a new location inside the Somerset Collection at 2800 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy. ■ Patty’s Salon & Spa at 3655 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield has closed. “To be honest with you, the rent was extremely high and with the economy the way it is today, it was more than I could bear,” said previous business owner Patty Beach. “This was a very big decision for me. It’s not fun being a business owner in today’s economy.” Beach owned the salon for eight years, but took her 26 years of experience in the field to Chelian’s Salon at 77 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills. Longtime Patty’s stylist Cheryl Burgess was disconcerted about the closure. “I was pretty sad,” she said. “I thought we would go through the holidays, but she abruptly closed it.”
According to Burgess, Beach told the stylists about the closure the day that she decided to close the doors. “The experience I had with Patty was phenomenal,“ she said, “But she walked away from it and I was disappointed.” Like Burgess, who moved to Sharon’s Salon at 245 Hamilton Row in Birmingham, most of the stylists were able to find new salons locally, Burgess said. ■ The Maple Leaf Café, a popular eatery at 297 E. Maple in Birmingham, closed its doors to the public in late November. A handwritten note on the door thanked patrons for helping to create a family-style atmosphere at the café. “I was very disappointed when I learned that the Maple Leaf Café was closed,” said patron Melissa Demorest. “I’m really going to miss their excellent food. I hope they’ll be able to reopen at some point in the future.” Birmingham resident Michael Poris echoed Demorest’s sentiments.
“It was a friendly, unpretentious diner with great natural and organic comfort food,” Poris said. “A welcome alternative to chains. It’s sorely missed.” ■ Kate Neville Photography at 574 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham opened the first week of December. “I’ve done custom work out of my home for the past 12 years,” said award-winning photographer Kate Neville. Basically self-taught, Neville primarily photographs maternity, newborns, children and families. “I’m also venturing into some pet photography,” she said. Neville is working on something she calls an “urban kids theme” where she photographs children in bright-colored clothing with a downtown Birmingham backdrop. “It’s kind of funky and fun and I hope to expand on that.” Neville and her family moved to Birmingham in September of 2009. “We’re originally from Michigan,” Neville said. “So, it’s kind of like coming home for us.” She and her family had moved to St. Louis, but were brought back to the area by her husband’s job with Chrysler. “We previously lived in Novi, but we really love the charming downtown atmosphere
THE PAPER
here.” Neville said she had always wanted to live in the area and knew that the first storefront she was going
to invest herself in was going to be in Birmingham. “We were enchanted with the area,” Neville said. “We found a beautiful bungalow and fell in love with the city all over again.” ■ The Plant Station at 720 S. Adams Road in Birmingham has closed. According to owner and floral designer Theresa Costello, the property owner went bankrupt. “The bank foreclosed on us and said we needed to get out quickly,” she said. Costello and Plant Station manager David Havenstein are still operating out of a warehouse to meet customers’ needs for the holidays. “We’re doing special orders for our older customers that we have a relationship with,” she said. “I’m delivering a lot because they can’t get out of their house.” Costello is looking for a new storefront in the Birmingham or Royal Oak area. “In the meantime, customers can reach us on our old phone line at the Plant Station.” ■ Revive clothing store recently moved to 154 W. Maple Road from 383 Hamilton Row in Birmingham. Owner Aaron Cohen, 26, was looking for a space that would bring in more foot traffic. “We love the new space and I’ve taken on a co-owner, Ben White Levin, who is 16-years-old.” Cohen said he’s been in business for three years. “We offer men’s and women’s luxury clothing lines and a sneaker boutique.” Business items from the Birmingham-Bloomfield community are reported by Katey Meisner. Faxes (248.360.1220) and e-mails (kateymeisner@thescngroup.com) must be received three weeks prior to publication. 65
■ 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 heart-conscious items. The menu features chili, onion loaf, baked spinach and artichoke dip, croissants and wraps. B, W, L. L, MondaySaturday; 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, MondaySaturday. 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, family-style 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,
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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. Cannella Patisserie: Offering an array of authentic croissants and French pastries and featuring light meals from a selection of French crêpes. Also offering special occasion and wedding cakes. B, L & D, Tuesday-Sunday. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9704. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
IHOP: From creatively flavored pancakes to steaks, sandwiches and salads, IHOP is best known for its breakfast fare. B, L & D, daily. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.333.7522.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
■ main course Forest Grill – cooking what nature provides by Eleanor Heald
I
n its Parisian incarnation, a bistro is a small restaurant serving moderatelypriced menu items in a modest setting. In America when the eatery is dubbed American bistro, it’s generally stepped up. Yet as in the bistro of today’s Paris, the menu reflects the chef’s taste preferences and experience. One element is the same in Paris and the U.S. – the eatery is small and intimate with simple and clean design where art work is the open, functional kitchen. A Paris bistro is a neighborhood spot. It attracts diners from nearby, yet depending on a chef’s reputation, people will travel a good distance for gustatory delights. These same concepts make Forest Grill in Birmingham a happening place following its motto, “cooking what nature provides.” Birmingham’s Forest Grill epitomizes an American bistro.
Plaudits Since he was in his 20s and stepped onto the area dining stage, words of praise have been heaped on the 50year-old, area native Chef/Proprietor Brian Polcyn. He’s been lauded in The New York Times, The Detroit News, Atlantic Monthly, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Playboy, Detroit Hour Magazine, The Detroit Free Press and Wine Spectator. Hiram Walker Corporation recognized him as a Rising Star in American Cuisine. He was first runner-up in a semi-annual American Culinary Gold Cup Bocuse d’Or that seeks to honor America’s top native-born chefs. A nomination as Best Chef Midwest by the James Beard Foundation capped decades of praise. Polcyn’s also been recognized as an award-winning charcuterie expert among numerous awards, including three gold medals from The American Culinary Federation. “Charcuterie,” says Polcyn, “plays an important role on any bistro menu. It’s the craft of using underutilized cuts of meat. Any chef can take prime cuts from an animal, but charcuterie takes the shoulder, the shank or the cheeks and turns them into great tasting food at a moderate price. This is Forest Grill’s concept with charcuterie. We cure our own hams. Everyone is familiar with Prosciutto di Parma, but now
Executive chef David Gilbert (left) with Brian Polcyn, chef/proprietor. The Paper photo / Amy K. Lockard
there’s Prosciutto di Birmingham. Ours has been aging one year. We’re the only Birmingham restaurant doing this.” Coupled now with 35 year-old David Gilbert, Forest Grill Executive Chef, Polcyn has a winning kitchen team. Like Polcyn, Gilbert is a Michigan native and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. He developed his culinary skill set at the notable French Laundry in Napa Valley, Calif., as well as top restaurants in France and Spain.
Gilbert and the menu Although Polcyn and Gilbert develop the Forest Grill menu together, Gilbert has full charge of the kitchen, following his bent for seasonal and local ingredients. Thus, for winter, his prized Tomato Bisque en Croute soup, an inspiration he credits to Chef/Proprietor Philippe Jeanty of Bistro Jeanty In Yountville, Calif., will yield to French Onion Soup, $8, and at least one other winter warming soup. Hopefully Baby Heirloom Beet Salad with goat cheese, candied walnuts and petite organic lettuce,$9, will continue throughout winter because both its taste and color are cheering on a cold night. Another winter warmer is Cider Glazed Sweetbread Risotto, $17, made with arborio rice, mascarpone cheese, Parmesan Reggiano and black truffles. Three main courses deserve special recognition. Veal Cheeks (some of the most succulent meat on the planet) with Parisian herb and ricotta cheese gnocchi, wilted spinach and tomato, $27, is the number one seller. Coquilles
Monday-Friday; D, daily. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.0370
rib, signature steaks and pastas. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.
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.
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.
Peabody’s: With rustic beams and subtle lighting, Peabody’s offers unique sandwiches and salads, along with fresh seafood, house prime
www.oaklandpaper.com
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.
St. Jacques, $28, features scallops accompanied by Pommes Robuchon (a nod to stellar chef Joel Robuchon whose Paris restaurant La Table holds two-star Michelin ranking), butter poached crab filled gougeres and citrus infused baby spinach. Bone Marrow & Confit of Pork, $26, highlights roasted bone marrow, confit of pork shoulder salad with port wine reduction and chorizo-mousse-topped crostinis. Gilbert cites two of his four “Bistro Classics” as major diner favorites. Clay roasted Half Free Range Chicken, $26, is accompanied by wild mushroom cream and potato puree. Then there’s the southern French specialty Bouillabaisse, $29, chock full of mussels, clams, lobster, scallops, shrimp, lump crab meat and rouille. Juices can be soaked up with a crunchy baquette. You won’t get this specialty in France for under $30. Guaranteed!
Eating light As at any top-rated bistro, there are menus on the lighter side. Put a bar menu item (ranging $7-$18) with a glass of wine from among 60 chosen by General Manager/Sommelier Mario Plaza and you’re satisfied and not heading to the nearest ATM. Wines by the glass maintain freshness via a high-tech Le Verre de Vin system. Another option Monday through Thursday evening is the Forest Grill Stimulus Menu of three courses for $30. Offerings are posted on a chalk board and change monthly. The same menu is $15 at lunch.
Looking ahead “Our goal at Forest Grill,” says Polcyn, “is to take our combined skill set and creativity and have our dinner check average (currently $48 with wine) at a level where people can afford to eat here on a regular basis. A restaurant should support the community so the community will support it. If our food meets our high standards and expectations, we’re going to please 99 percent of diners.” In keeping with ever-changing diner food trends, Chef Polcyn recently morphed his Five Lakes Grill restaurant in Milford to Cinco Lagos (424 N. Main St., Milford, 248.684.7455) with authentic Mexican and Latin-influenced cuisine. Polcyn’s mother was Mexican and he grew up eating some of the flavorful dishes he now shares with diners 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. 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. Pizza Papalis & Rio Wraps: Full menu includes rio wraps, pizzas, salads, soups, pasta
THE PAPER
at very reasonable prices. Try the Chiles Poblanos Rellenos filled with Cuaro Queso! (Forest Grill, 735 Forest, Birmingham, 248.258.9400. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner: Mon-Thur 5-11p.m. Friday and Sat until midnight. Bar: 11:30 a.m.-closing. Reservations recommended.) ■
QUICK BITES
For several months in late 2009, Birmingham’s S. Eton street was a driving hassle. To business owners on the route, road reconstruction was a nightmare. Through it all, Birmingham’s historic Whistle Stop Restaurant new owners Steve (chef) and Carey McNaughton, who made the purchase in early November 2009, bravely hung out a banner announcing new ownership. For seven years, the couple worked for former owner Matt Rafferty and now plan to redo some well-worn aspects of a Birmingham historic gem from the train era. In the New Year, the McNaughton’s are posting a new banner announcing a dinner menu, priced under $10. Menu includes such items as spaghetti, fettuccine, pot roast, a Polish plate, liver and onions and roast turkey, accompanied by soup or salad. (Whistle Stop Restaurant, 501 S. Eton St., Birmingham, 248.647.5588.) ■ In the restaurant business, 25 years deserves a year-long celebration. Thus in the New Year, Birmingham’s Big Rock Chophouse (245 S. Eton St., 248.647.7774) continues its 25th anniversary special called simply 25-2525. Monday through Thursday, $25 per person gets you a three-course dinner with a first course choice from among three menu items, one main course and one of two desserts. All wines under $100 are 25 percent off. Wait almost over. Larry Bongiovanni, owner of the under-construction Deluxe Bar & Grill, (525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham), cautiously projects a February 1 opening of his classic style neighborhood bar and eatery. ■ 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. and desserts; known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza. L & D, daily. 4036 Telegraph Road, Ste.106, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7722. 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: A high-end setting offering Osso Buco and Branzino filet among several signature Italian dishes. With a relaxing, open atmosphere, Quattro features a variety
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■ focus on wine Best wine bets for 2010 By Eleanor and Ray Heald
J
udging from a quote in The Australian, October 22, 2009, Australian wines have an image problem. Ian Johnston, CEO of Foster’s, the Australian beer and wine giant, says he “is seeking to repair the image problems Australian wines have suffered recently in foreign markets, where Aussie plonk is suffering a critical backlash after years of almost universal praise.” DeBortoli, a sensibly-priced Aussie brand, does not fall into the plonk cate-
gory. The Italian-sounding name comes from the founders roots in an alpine village of northern Italy. Now, through the hands of senior executive winemaker Julie Mortlock, the third generation of the family carries on traditions founded in 1928. Three wine tiers offer increasing wine complexity beginning with dB Selection chardonnay, merlot, shiraz and petite sirah, all $10. Then, there’s Emeri in which the non-vintage Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, $14, offers a gently sparkling, not fully carbonated wine, good for celebrations, even if its of pastas, soups, salads and an extensive wine list. B,W,L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.6060 Quiznos: A signature toasting style creates crisp edges, melted cheese, sizzling meat and warm bread. Choose from over 20 oventoasted 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 Steve’s Deli: Classic and popular deli featuring a wide variety of soups, sandwiches and
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only TGIF. Deen Vat Series includes a sauvignon blanc (citrus and lime characters), shiraz (dark berry fruit), petit verdot (outstanding dark fruit) and cabernet sauvignon (ripe red fruit with a long finish), each at $14. Surely you’ve heard it mentioned that wines at $50 and over are not selling, due to the lagging economy. The sweet spot is for wines at $20 and under. So, consider the following suggestions for wintertime palate pleasure that do not break the bank. Several Austrian wines are perfect winter whites: 2008 Grooner (100% Gruner Veltliner), $12 2007 Hardegg Riesling vom Schloss, $17 2007 Fritsch Zweigelt Red Soil, $17 More delicious winter whites: 2008 Folonari Pinot Grigio, $9 2008 Goats do Roam White, $10 2008 Dry Creek Dry Chenin Blanc, $12 2008 Fairview Darling Chenin Blanc, $13 2008 M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Blanc, $13 2008 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Pinot Blanc, $16 2008 J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Gris, $16 2008 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Pinot Gris, $20 Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect match with sushi, salads, oysters, grilled vegetables, fish, grilled chicken, crab, Asian cuisine and pasta in a light cream sauce. These are terrific values: Non-vintage Beringer Founder’s Estate California, $11
2009 Man Vintners South Africa, $11 2008 Hess Select Lake County, $12 2008 Fairview, $13 2009 Porcupine Ridge South Africa, $13 2008 Slingshot Napa Valley, $14 2008 Glazebrook Marlborough, $15 2008 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home, $15 2008 Wairau River, $15 2009 Villa Maria Marlborough, $16 2008 Flora Springs Soliloquy, $20, $20 Super Chardonnay values: 2008 Bogle Chardonnay, $10 –really good stuff at this price Non-vintage Beringer Founder’s Estate California, $11 2008 Hess Monterey, $12 2008 Robert Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay, $19 2007 Dry Creek Russian River Valley, $20 It’s not easy to find appealing Cabernet Sauvignons at $20 and under. The following are, however, more than satisfying: 2007 Bogle Vineyards California, $11 Non-vintage Beringer Founder’s Estate California Cabernet Sauvignon, $11 2005 Sly Dog Cellars, $15 — soft style 2007 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County, $17 — cherry, blackberry, layered complexity 2006 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County, $20 2006 Slingshot Napa Valley, $20 Pinot Noir prices have gone through the roof. Very few at $20 and under are worth drinking. These are: 2007 Sebastiani Sonoma Coast, $18
deserts. B, L & D, daily. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.932.0800.
Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.
Streetside Seafood: Streetside has developed a reputation for fresh fish, oysters and other seafood on a seasonal menu B,W,L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123.
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.
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.
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
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.
The Rugby Grille: Conveniently located inside Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel and offering a luxury dining experience. B, W, L. B, L & D, daily. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.
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.
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, MondaySaturday. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.
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
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.,
THE PAPER
2007 Pali Wine Co. Bluffs Cuvee Russian River Valley, $19 2007 Robert Talbott Kali Hart, $19 2007 Clos du Bois North Coast, $20 Syrah also known as Shiraz is also getting pricey. The following are sensibly priced: 2008 Nine Stones Barossa Shiraz, $14 2008 Nine Stones McLaren Vale Shiraz, $14 2007 Liberty School Central Coast Syrah, $12 ZIinfandel is a fantastic wine with a gourmet pizza: 2007 Bogle Old Vine, $11 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County, $14 2007 Seven Deadly Zins Lodi Old Vines, $17 2007 Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines, $18 2006 Cardinal Zin, $20 2007 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines, $20 Among imports, Spain is a leader in value: 2008 Marques de Caceres Rioja White, $9 (100% viura) 2008 Coto de Rioja Blanco, $10 (100% viura) 2006 Torres Ibericos, $16 2006 Las Rocas Garnacha Vinas Viejas, $18 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.
Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6501 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 soups. L & D, daily. 327 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.1108. Uptown Deli: Daily homemade soup and dining for patrons is available at the deli. Among favorite food items are the Uptown Club, corned beef sandwiches, daily chicken noodle soup and a chef’s special soup selection made fresh each day. B, L, D, daily. 215 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.731.7023. 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. (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.
JANUARY 2010
■ the community house
Performing Arts Calendar of Events
www.oaklandpaper.com
Sponsored by Student LIFE Tickets available at all OCC Raiders Stores Friday, January 22 - RUSSELL MOORE AND IIIRD TYME OUT - Bluegrass Series. Highland Lakes Campus - Student Center Arena. 7:30 pm Admission: $20. Visit the website at www.IIIrdtymeout.com. For more information contact Velma Jones 248.942.3243 or e-mail vjjones@oaklandcc.edu. Friday, February 5 - SERIEUX - All Motown Review Orchard Ridge Campus Smith Theatre Friday, February 19 - 5th Annual OCC and EMU - PERFORMANCE STUDIES FESTIVAL “POETRY, PLAY AND PERFORMANCE.” Orchard Ridge Campus - Smith Theatre / 12:00 pm Admission: Free. This free two-day festival explores performance, writing and editing issues for performers and writers. To see our schedule & look at past schedules see the links at: ww.oaklandcc.edu/studentlife/Forensics.htm For more information contact Ken Faulk 248.522.3666 or e-mail kpfaulk@oaklandcc.edu.
OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE®
Friday, March 19 - BLACKTHORN - IRISH FOLK MUSIC Highland Lakes Campus - Student Center Arena, 7:30pm Adm: $15. For more information contact Velma Jones 248.942.3243 or e-mail vjjones@oaklandcc.edu. Fri., March 26, 8:00pm - Sat., March 27, 2:00pm - Sat., March 27, 8:00pm Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer A Comedy directed by Diane Hill Orchard Ridge Campus - Smith Theatre Adm: Adults: $10, Srs & Students: $5 For more information contact Ken Faulk 248.522.3666 or e-mail kpfaulk@oaklandcc.edu.
For more info contact: Auburn Hills Campus, 2900 Featherstone Road - Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2845 Jessica Newman 248-232-4590 jlnewman@oaklandcc.edu Highland Lakes Campus, 7350 Cooley Lake Road - Waterford, MI 48327 Velma Jones, 248-942-3243 vjjones@oaklandcc.edu Orchard Ridge Campus, 27055 Orchard Lake Rd. - Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4579 Dusty Rhodes 248-522-3595 lprhodes@oaklandcc.edu or Kenneth Faulk 248-522-3666 - Smith Theatre Email: kpfaulk@oaklandcc.edu Royal Oak Campus, 739 South Washington Royal Oak, MI 48067-3898 Stacey Jackson 248-246-2586 snjackson@oaklandcc.edu
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248-644-0666 M-F 9-8 • Sat. 9-6 • Sun. 12-5
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First, best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy New Year! When the holidays are over, why not make a New Year’s resolution to allow time for you and your family to pursue an interest, learn something new, or just have a good time in our many exciting classes and programs at The Community House? Our winter catalog has over 200 classes to help you make the most of cold, winter days. Make sure to register early for our popular yoga and fitness classes and our wine exploration series because they fill up quickly. Also, auditions for our youth theater production of Oliver! are on January 8-9. I know from experience that there is nothing better for your child’s personal growth than participation in our Sara Smith Productions Youth Theatre. In addition, the new session for our Ballet and Jazz School starts January 26. Shelley Roberts It’s a new year, so why not make a resolution to get organized? Back by popular demand is our class Help! I’ve Gotta Get Organized! It will teach you techniques for purging and organizing paperwork and other household and office items. In addition to these old favorites, we have exciting new offerings. Seniors will be interested in our newest class offering Get Fit While You Sit! where they will have fun stretching and toning in the comfort and safety of their chairs. If you have a desire to improve your fitness level but are hesitant about being left behind in a traditional exercise class, this class is for you. If you’ve got a story you need to get off your chest or have ever gone to the movies and said you could write a better script than that, register for our series of monthly workshops “How to Complete Your First Movie Script in Six Months.” Beginning January 25, learn from award-winning writer and producer Harvey Ovshinsky whose series of videotaped lectures, Letters to a Young Filmmaker, is fast becoming a viral sensation on YouTube and a popular teaching tool in many film schools. Another new offering is our free “Quarterly Financial Book Series.” This book club is special because it will focus on popular books about the economy. The group will discuss four books over the next year, beginning with House of Cards by William D. Cohan, Wednesday, January 13 from 79 pm. The discussion will be led by Rebecca Sorensen, CFP, CIMA Senior Vice President—Investments, Wealth Advisor, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Come to one or all four sessions to learn and network. Of special interest in January is our standing-room only Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast, on Monday, January 18. The keynote speaker The Honorable Denise Langford-Morris’ topic is “Where Do We Go from Here and What is Our Part?” Musical entertainment will be provided by the Chris Brent Trio and God’s Heavenly Hands and Joyous Signers. In addition to the wonderful travel opportunities included in our class catalog, we have two new offerings for our spontaneous travelers. Join us March 6 when we go to Chicago for the Flower Show and on April 9 when we go with Michael Farrell to the Flint Institute of Arts to see the Impressionist show from the Brooklyn Museum. For information about Community House programs and trips, see our website, www.communityhouse.com, or call 248.644.5832. Finally, I want to tell you about some exciting plans that we have for the front (east side) entrance of The Community House which will make it much more user friendly for our disabled patrons. As part of the street improvements to be made by the city in conjunction with the Shain Park project, the elevation of Bates Street will be raised significantly from Merrill Street to the east of The Community House. Prior to this, we will add a ramp and a railing, a new porch, wider stairs and a copper roof that extends to the sidewalk, which will be completed by April. My sincere thanks to Barbara and George Miller for providing substantial funding for this important project. I look forward to seeing you at The Community House! ■ Shelley Roberts is president and CEO of The Community House.
Papa Joe’s
Lincoln 14 Mile Rd.
Major Charge Cards Accepted • Battery Recycling Center
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Camp Mak-A-Dream’s Cookies ‘N’ Dreams
Here is the update on the social scene from the past month. Social Lights is posted each week on The Paper’s website at oaklandpaper.com, where readers can sign up for an e-mail alert when the latest column is posted. Many more photos from each event appear online each week, and past column and photos are archived one the website for The Paper. Camp Mak-A-Dream’s Cookies ‘N’ Dreams At the fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream in Somerset North’s Grand Court, 750 young and not-so-young cookie crunchers nibbled their way around the 18 bakers’ yummy displays. The challenge was to pick some winning cookies in different categories. When the votes were counted, the Peoples’ Favorite Award went to Marty’s Cookies. Other winners were: Forte Belanger – Most Unusual & Creative; Townsend Hotel Bakery Best Tasting; Just Baked – Most Indulgent; Patisserie Ci - Healthiest; and Samantha’s Cookies - Best New Baker. There was also a Celebrity Judges Choice and Dave Dombrowski, Barbaro Garbey, Gilda Jacobs, Jason Woolley, Jeremy Abbott and Alissa Czisny picked Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s cookie. The dinner hour event also featured hot dogs and Franklin Cider Mill donuts, Mojo in the Morning’s Shannon & Spike, dancing with Star Trax, testimonies from kids who have gone to the Montana camp for kids with cancer, lots of activities and a tribute to the late Dr. Tony Jacob, who was devoted to the Camp-Mak-ADream mission. The 2009 Cookies ‘N’ Dreams event raised more than $85,000.
Belle Isle Women’s Committee Social
Clockwise from upper left: Solomon (left) and Mark Kwartowitz of Bloomfield. Event chairs Nate (left) and Cathy Jacob Forbes of Bloomfield with Cathy’s brother David and their mother Connie Jacob (Mrs. Tony) of Franklin. Birmingham’s Cup Cake Station’s Kerry Johnson of Sylvan Lake. Volunteers Laura Sillman (left) of Birmingham with Dana Siegel, Alex Howard, Niki Howard and Mel Singer of Bloomfield.
■ Belle Isle Women’s Committee Informal Social
Karen Cullen hosted a cocktail party at her Grosse Pointe home for current members of the Belle Isle Women’s Committee who would bring prospective members. About 100 attended and 10 joined on the spot with many others taking applications home. As at all truly hospitable affairs, the socializing centered in the large kitchen/gathering room. It overlooks a terrace on one side and has French doors on another end that lead to the indoor swimming pool. It also has an elevated end which provided a good stage for BIWC founder Sarah Earley to make her pitch. One of her most convincing facts was that in less than 5 years, the BIWC has raised $1.7-million and replaced the concrete biffy on the southwest tip of the island park with the beautifully landscaped Sunset Pointe plaza which affords an unparallel view of Detroit. She also told guests to mark their calendars for the next BIWC Legacy Luncheon on May 19. For BIWC information, go to www.biwcinc.org.
Winds & Strings’ Hit or Miss Nearly 100 music lovers attended the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings annual fundraising social in the Birmingham Unitarian Church Social Hall. Before the entertainment began, folks nibbled on committee-created appetizers and sampled wines as they perused the silent auction offerings. Music performed by pros and some amateur musicians/DCWS fans was interspersed with a live auction conducted with good humor by Ed Sharples. A splendid supper prepared by the dedicated committee followed. Proceeds, including nearly $10,000 from the auctions and a wine raffle, will support the DCWS concerts. A youthful contingent in the crowd was also talking about DCWS’ participation in the new Detroit Pass to the Arts. Check out its schedule of cultural events followed by socials at www.DP2A.org.
Pink Party at Body Pure Studio
Clockwise from upper left: Hostess Karen Cullen of Grosse Pointe and Ann Lang of Birmingham. Member Rita Margherio (center) of Orchard Lake with her guests Christine Berry (left) of Farmington Hills and Carol Van Cleave of Orchard Lake. Suzie Ternes (left), guest of Valerie Ellis and Valerie’s daughter Ellisse Rutkofske and Ellisse’s guest Katie Johnson of Grosse Pointe. Event hostess Karen Cullen (left) of Grosse Pointe and BIWC founder Sarah Earley of Bloomfield.
Sixty energetic people noshed and nipped, shopped and danced at Birmingham’s Body Pure Studio for a cause - to benefit The Pink Fund and the Luminous Breast Cancer Foundation. Molly MacDonald, breast cancer “thriver”, as she signs her emails, founded the Pink Fund to provide short-term financial aid to people whose income is impacted by breast cancer. She was wearing her trademark Marlaina Stone necklace as she shared news of some soon-to-be-announced spotlights for the fund. Also on the scene was Nancy Boos, whose daughter Tina owns the studio and hosted the party. Alexandra Boos, another daughter who lives and works as a model in New York City, was inspired by Nancy’s cancer battle to establish the LBC Foundation. It provides products and services that restore self esteem for uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients.
Project HOPE Mascot introduction Board Members and friends of the Women’s Division for Project HOPE met HOPE, the Project HOPE Rescue Dog, on Sunday, November 15, at Anita Hedeen’s Carlisle Collection Trunk Show in her Bloomfield Hills home. The mascot is a cuddly, plush toy St. Bernard sporting a symbolic rescue keg. Hedeen, the WD president, plans to donate all profits from her Carlisle sales to Project HOPE.
Just for Fun Party Scene Amy and Mike Kanarios, Jennifer and Scott Holman, Elizabeth and Steve Johnson and Graham and Sara Young Ritter co-hosted a costume party at the Ritters’ Bloomfield Hills home. More than 100 attended. Guests selected beverages from different stations, including one specializing in Margueritas. The latter was good preparation for the hosts’ holiday which followed the party. It was at Mark Davis’ home in Cabo San Lucas.
Kingswood Giftorama Opening “Can you believe this is the last one?” was the most frequent greeting overheard 70
THE PAPER
JANUARY 2010
at the Friday night preview of Kingswood Alumnae Association’s weekend shopping fundraiser. KAA board president Laurie Berger Bounds welcomed the 800 guests at a ribbon cutting ceremony which opened the door to the final fling featuring more than 50 vendors. And Head of Schools Arlyce Seibert noted the bittersweet nature of the evening but added, “Ellen Booth would be very proud of (all you have accomplished).” In addition to shopping and buffet noshing, speculating about a replacement event was also popular. One suggestion, a virtual Giftorama on the internet, would surely minimize the expense ledger and manpower requirements, but would not do what many school loyalists think is a real strength of Giftorama – that it has introduced the landmark school to legions of new friends. It has also raised more than $3million for scholarships, faculty enrichment and campus restoration. Fear not. These are smart people. They’ll come up with something.
■ Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings’ Hit or Miss
Walsh College Awards Dinner
■ Pink Party at Body Pure Studio
The first annual Walsh College Leadership Awards Dinner attracted 350 school loyalists to the Royal Park Hotel for auctions, dinner and the award program emceed by WDIV-TV’s Rhonda Walker. The honorees were: Detroit Economic Club President/CEO Beth Chappell; , Rose Hill Center board chair / retired Deloitte & Touche managing partner Dan Kelly; The Rehmann Group ‘s Richard DiBartolomeo; Walsh College Trustee Patricia Kurtz; and Harvey Hohauser & Associates President/COO Todd Hohauser. Paul Wolber, Mike and Dennis Harder chaired the event which was formerly the Jeffery W. Barry Tribute Dinner. It raised more than $120,000 for the Jeffery W. Barry Endowed Scholarship. A current scholarship holder, Gulixian Hayier, told the audience: “Because of people like you, people like me can dream big, go to the best business college in metro Detroit, and be able to tell their kids one day: ‘if mommy can do it, you can too!’”
South Oakland Shelter “This evening brings SOS (fundraising) into the big time,” noted car dealer Bill Cook, co-chair with his wife Jennie, an SOS board member. Indeed, the swinging event at The Reserve attracted 300 including emcee WDIV’s Chuck Gaidica and the celebrity judges Sheriff Mike Bouchard, WWJ’s Alisa Zee, WJR’s Ken Brown and Bacco Ristorante’s Luciano Del Sigmore. The current appeal of ballroom dancing exhibitions plus the talents of Gail & Rice kept the energy level high for spectators like Ed and Pam Boutrous, Spencer and Kristine Clark, Peter and Julie Kreher, Tim and Lisa Hoehn, Melissa Fazio, Coleen Skeaback and Lauren Rakolta. The dancers - Sameer Eid and Yvonne Moon, Blaire Miller and John Gottsacker, Lauren Podell and Tim Myles and Shellay Cremen and Curtis Haremza - were very talented good sports and pros. They also inspired a crowded dance floor until closing time. Including the silent auction that raised www.oaklandpaper.com
Clockwise from upper left: Evelyn Chan (left) of Troy with DCW&S board chair Doug Cale and his wife Ellen of Bloomfield. Board members Matthew Morin, a Bloomfield native now of Detroit and Jerry Conway of Bloomfield. Bridget and Michael Morin with Paul and board member Cynthia Von Oeyen of Bloomfield. Event chairs Jane Conway (left) and Kay White of Bloomfield and Betty Blair of Rochester Hills.
Clockwise from lower left: The Pink Fund founder Molly MacDonald (left) of Beverly Hills and Body Pure instructor Tracy Tripp of Bloomfield. Nancy Boos (left) of Bloomfield and her daughter, event host Tina Boos of Royal Oak, holding her Fergie, a regular at the studio. Emily Berthel (left) of Beverly Hills and Brown Eyed Girl’s Kara O’Brien Laramie of Bloomfield. Naomi Lerman (left) of Southfield and Jan Hoge of Bloomfield.
■ Project HOPE Mascot Introduction
Left to right: Anita Hedeen of Bloomfield. Patricia Hill Burnett (left) of Bloomfield and Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham. Co-chairs of upcoming Women’s Division Luncheon & Boutique, Christa Hintz (left) of Bloomfield and Francine Schmidt of Commerce.
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Just for Fun Party Scene
more than $10,000, the evening generated about $40,000 for SOS programs for the homeless, now more in demand than ever.
DSO Nutcracker Evening
Clockwise from lower left: Cindy Ortiz Ryan of Dearborn and Jerry Hutcheson of Birmingham. Tom Giles of Beverly Hills and party co-host Sara Young Ritter of Bloomfield. Party co-host Elizabeth Johnson of Bloomfield. Paul Simon and Andrea Gross of Birmingham.
■ Kingswood 39th Giftorama
All organizations depend on new members to stay vibrant. Likewise the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Council. “I just joined in April and told Kelly (Hayes, Volunteer Council president) I wanted to be involved,” explained Nicole Bopp, chair of the annual 2009 Nutcracker event. This year, thanks to the new blood, the event had a new twist – an evening jazz supper reception. It followed the sold out luncheon for 180 at the Birmingham Athletic Club and provided a group of 70 more shoppers for the 24 vendors lined up by boutique chair Sylvia Nelson. The club atmosphere was very appealing and both sessions had musical accents (Classic Voices at lunch; Civic Jazz Trio at night). According to Hayes, the event raised between $12,000 and $15,000.
Lighthouse’s Beacon of Hope XIX
Clockwise from upper left: Group photo of past event chairs. Giftorama founders Karen Street (left) of Birmingham and Jacqui Gard of Troy. Alums Sarah AIkens Post (left) and Laurie Frankel of Bloomfield and Susan AIkens Post of Birmingham (The Aikens sisters married brothers). Kingswood alumsTory Smith (left) and Dana Blake with Denise Acierno of Bloomfield. Alum Amy Murray (center) with past Giftorama chairs Pamela Carmichael (left) and Susan Pridmore of Bloomfield. Event co-chairs Debbie Dietrich (left) of Waterford, Toni Chan of West Bloomfield, Margie Burch of Birmingham and Meredith Haataja of Lake Orion
■ Walsh College Leadership Awards Dinner
Things change. The first Beacon of Hope for Lighthouse Community Development was a lakeside event and yes, I recall there was a replica lighthouse. Another was held in an immaculate commercial hangar at Oakland Airport. In more recent years it has been a black tie soiree in a hotel ballroom or corporate headquarters. This year, Adrienne Crockett and her committee decided the economy dictated a format that would keep expenses minimal. Thus has evolved Beacon of Hope XIX –Lighting the Way, House by House. Thus far, the trio of house parties has raised $30,000. Two more will be held in the spring. The third in the series of mini events, A Home for the Holidays, was hosted by Tim Travis at his Goldner Walsh Garden and Home shop. Seventyfive attended, including hosts of the two previous house parties – Harriett and Richard Shapack and Julie Beaty, whose husband Brian stayed home to babysit. Guests paused their sipping, supping, auction bidding and perusing great home accessories for a brief program. It included LCD executive director Judith Robinson’s update (70-plus new LCD homes ) and a salute to honorary chair, Flagstar Bank’s Cheryl Stawarz, who had brought photos of the “Canstructions” made by bank employees. Departments build an artful display with canned good and then donate the food to Lighthouse.
Pierce Shops Local
Left to right: Awardee Beth Chappell (left) of Bloomfield with Walsh President/ CEO Stephanie Bergeron of Birmingham. Awardee Dan Kelly and his wife Rosemary of Bloomfield. Event co-chairs Mike Plotzke (left) and Dennis Harder of Troy.
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On Thursday, Nov. 5, thanks to Pierce School moms Deborah Knight, Paige Leary and Laura Karmanos, close to $30,000 in sales flowed into more than 30 generous Birmingham shops and six restaurants. When the merchants donate from 15 to 20 per cent of those sales to the PTSA. the shopping event for Pierce School’s PTSA is expected to generate approximately $4,000 for a variety of programs at the school. “If we want Birmingham to remain the wonderful town it is, we have to patronize these establishments and educate our friends and neighbors JANUARY 2010
to do the same,” declared Knight.
■ South Oakland Shelter’s Dancing with the Stars
Cattle Baron’s Ball The American Cancer Society’s annual Cattle Baron’s Ball moved from the state fairgrounds to the ShotwellGustafson Pavilion at Oakland University this year and it attracted 400-plus guests. We chatted with several couples from north Oakland County who were attending the event for the first time because it was more convenient. It was also a grand, one-room venue well suited to the Country Casual spin of the western theme party. The country music stage and dance floor were at one end; mechanical bull riding at the other. In between great chow stations circled a classic saloon-style bar. It’s estimated that more than $50,000 in food, beverages and service were donated for this year’s event. Culinary awards were announced during the traditional Parade of Chefs. The 2009 Chuck Wagon Awards were: Best Sweet - the Omni Detroit at River Place; Best Savory - The Henry Ford; Best Presentation - Vince & Joe’s Market. During the program emceed by Chuck Stokes, Madeleine Phillips of PVS Chemicals, Inc. was presented with the 2009 Cowger Leadership Award. Phillips was honored for her efforts to raise funds for this year’s event and for serving the mission of the American Cancer Society with passion and professionalism. The prestigious award honors the legacy of leadership built by inaugural event chairs Gary and Kay Cowger. It is the highest honor the ACS Great Lakes Division bestows on a volunteer. The new Associate Baron’s Council of young professionals, chaired by John Nechiporchik, was responsible for $21,000-plus of the $385,000 event net. That figure also includes $39,000 live auction proceeds and the $26,350 that Ray Young’s personal testimonial inspired people to pledge in direct donations.
Clockwise from lower left: Event chairs Bill and Jennie Cook of Birmingham. Sponsors Angela and Rob Mardigian of Birmingham. First couple to dance Samir Eid of Bloomfield and Rhythm-N- Shoes instructor Yvonne Moon of Huntington Woods. Dancers Blaire Miller of Beverly Hills and John Gottsacker of Birmingham’s Body Pure Studio. Linda and Bob Leitch of Bloomfield, owners of Rhythm -N- Shoes Ballroom Dance Studio.
■ DSO Volunteer Council’s Nutcracker Evening
Clockwise from lower left: Varnsie Walsh (left) of Bloomfield and Janet Crandell of Birmingham. Mo Miller (left) and Nancy Rice with Oz and Toad Designs’ vendor Sue O’Connor and Jenny Turner of Bloomfield. Event chair Nicole Bopp (left) of West Bloomfield with Todd and Susan Wojtowicz of Beverly Hills. Debra Chaney of Bloomfield and Nicole Wagner of Birmingham trying on scarves. VC board member Marlene Bihlmeyer (left) of Bloomfield, DSO VP Kate Cahill of Birmingham and Mary Ann McKeown and her mother Pauline Doubek of Allen Park.
Sing Out 4 Kids “I will never look at you the same again,” Karen Newman said to Norman Yatooma. The Birmingham attorney had just brought down the house at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle when he walked on stage as Elvis Presley. He was one of a dozen good sports who hammed it up karaoke-style at Sing Out 4 Kids – a benefit for the Children’s Charities Coalition. Newman and Steve Acho emceed the fun which attracted 165 supporters of Variety, The Children’s Charity, CARE House, The Community House and Orchards Children’s Services. Before the show they supped on tasty chow catered by Cranks. Other performers, all of whom were surprisingly good, included Huel Perkins, Carl Sterr, Brian Elias, Anne Doyle, retired Red Wing Eddie Mio, retired Detroit Tiger Scott Lusader and his pretty teenage daughter Alexis and Realtor Kathy Broock Ballard and her brother Konrad Broock. Actually, Ballard was as entertaining as her brother, who sings professionally. All their efforts combined to raise $15,000 for the coalition organizations.
SKY Foundation Brunch “Sheila (Sky Kasselman) twisted my www.oaklandpaper.com
■ Lighthouse’s Beacon of Hope XIX
Clockwise from lower left: Lighthouse CEO John Ziraldo(center) of Detroit with Laurie Horvath (left) of West Bloomfield and house party hostess Julie Beaty of Orchard Lake. Gordon (left) and Geri Rinschler of Birmingham, Bridget Moran of Bloomfield and Lighthouse Community Services board member John Wright of Washington. John (left) and event chair Adrienne Crockett of West Bloomfield with Leola and Joe Smith of Bloomfield. Peggy Kerr of Birmingham and event host Tim Travis with print of Flagstar Bank “Can-struction”.
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Pierce Shops Local
arm,” confided Michael Tainsky, Ph.D, a researcher at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University. He was speaking to nearly 200 of Kasselman’s friends who were gathered at the Village Club for the popular Sunday brunch. His message, as well as that of Henry Ford Health System‘s Dr. Ann Silverman, regarded the state of pancreatic cancer research. Tainsky and Silverman head the team Kasselman has recruited to find a blood marker for pancreatic cancer, a disease with which she lives symptom-free at the moment. Kasselman, a financial services professional, was lucky because doctors found her cancer in 2007 at a very early stage – a rare occurrence and the only hope for survival. Hence, Kasselman founded the SKY Foundation to raise dollars for research. Among the 21 generous table sponsors for the brunch were the foundation board president Dave Weir and Bob Kupfer, the Bill Powerses, Bruce McClellands, Mark Hammels, Jim Zacks, Les Brickers and Niall Cullens. Counting dollars, guests paid for some nifty silent auction items and post brunch contributions, the event raised about $27,000. This brings the foundation kitty to more than $100,000 and gets the research underway. For more information, go to www.skyfoundationinc.org.
Clockwise from lower left: Michelle Strong, Lisa Whitelaw, Georgia White, Karen Liddle, Julie Dorfman of Birmingham at suhmthing. Co-chairs of the event Deborah Knight and Paige Leary of Birmingham. Kathy Lang, Monica Klepp, Kathy Fryckman, Theresa Mamatas of Birmingham shop at Barbara’s Paper Bag. Birmingham shop owners David Zawicki (Oliver’s Trendz, and suhm-thing), Richard Astrein (Astrein’s Jewelers), Michael Collins (Oliver’s Trendz and suhm-thing)
■ American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball
Roostertail Black & White Affair Three hundred of Tom and Diane Schoenith’s pals from all over town converged on the Roostertail before Thanksgiving for a private party which Diane said was “simply a kick off to the winter season.” However, there was nothing simple about the mid-week soiree. The club was a sparkling setting for the Schoenith’s warm hospitality. Most guests wore black or white but the cuisine was colorful. Notable were the ruby red trout roulades topped with tri-color caviar. Some people were exchanging business cards and we chuckled at the Roostertail’s Paul Hohendorf’s card. It lists his “hats” thusly: Senior Event Visionist, Executive Culinary Consigliere and Resident Ordained Minister.
Crittenton Gourmet Gala Benefit More than 600 supporters of the Crittenton Hospital Medical Center flocked to the Troy Marriott for the 33rd annual culinary fundraiser. It featured savory and sweets from 40 metropolitan Detroit restaurants. Folks were going back for seconds of such favorites as Kruse and Muer Restaurants’ macadamia nut walleye, Shula’s Steak House’s short ribs and loaded potatoes, Morley/Sanders Candy’s ice cream sundaes and Paciugo’s handmade Italian gelato. Troy’s Petruzzello’s won the Creative Presentation Award for its display that included a picture perfect Norwegian poached salmon. Since it began, the Gourmet Gala has raised nearly $2 million for Crittenton programs and services. Gross proceeds, including in-kind gifts and a popular raffle for a Haig Jeweler donation, are estimated to be more than $200,000. They will support CHMC’s Cancer C.A.R.E. (Community, Awareness, Research & Education) Fund.
Top row, left to right: Federal Mogul’s Pascal Goachet of Birmingham and Julia Greer of Bloomfield. Ernst & Young’s event co-chairs Tamara Izzo (left) of Northville and Jeff Bergeron of Birmingham with Delphi’s Shirley Zhang and her husband GM CFO Ray Young of Troy. Mika and Toyota’s Sandy Tareki of Birmingham. Center row, left and right: GM retiree Connie Hogan (left) and Baron’s Council member GM’s Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield. Event pioneers GM’s Gary (left) and Kay Cowger of Bloomfield with 2009 Cowger awardee PVS Chemicals’ Madeleine Phillips and her husband Allen of Grosse Pointe. Bottom row, left and right: Kathy and car dealer Russ Shelton of Rochester Hills. Karen and former GM CEO Fritz Henderson with Steve and Sarah Gaut of Bloomfield
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JANUARY 2010
Sinai’s Women in Philanthropy Noted physician, author and television medical expert Dr. Mehmet Oz attracted a crowd of 700 to the Sinai Guild’s Women in Philanthropy Women’s Heart Health fund-raiser at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Sandi Matz and Marlene Oleshansky chaired the luncheon event which raised more than $200,000. The monies will facilitate the purchase of portable, Advanced Duplex Ultrasounds with Vascular Reactivity Assessment for Detroit Medical Center hospitals.
■ Children’s Charities Coalition’s Sing Out 4 Kids
Left to right, top row: Karen Newman joined Birmingham haberdasher Carl Sterr. The Community House’s Frannie Greenebaum (center) with Sue and Trip Bosart of Bloomfield. Participant Norman Yatooma of Bloomfield. Middel row: Event emcees Karen Newman of Bloomfield and Steve Acho of West Bloomfield. Performer retired Red Wing Eddie Mio of West Bloomfield with Orchards Children’s Services Pamela Ayres of Bloomfield. Konrad Broock from Los Angelus, CA and his big sister Kathy Broock Ballard of Orchard Lake, before they both wowed the crowd. Bottom row: Amy Murphy (left) of Bloomfield, Margaret Charney of Birmingham, Linda AIkens of West Bloomfield and Kelly Shuert of Bloomfield. Cathy Weissenborn (center) of Birmingham with Karla Sherry (left) and Denise Abrash of Bloomfield
DIA’s’ To the Nines! Gala Seven simple facts about a very elegant party: 1. It occurred. In this economy. With ticket prices of $2,000, $1,000 and $400. DIA board chair Gene Gargaro confessed, “There was much debate last March (about whether or not to have this event).” 2. It sold out. More than 750 attended. “This community is very philanthropic and the DIA is one of its most beloved cultural institutions….It pleased a lot of people to be able to thank A. Alfred Taubman for his leadership at the DIA,” reasoned committee member Maureen D’Avanzo. 3. Taubman was visibly touched - by a surprise video of family moments and highlights of his remarkable life accompanied by music (“Young at Heart” and “Unforgettable”); by the presence of multiple generations of his whole family; and by the formal dedication of the museum wing named in his honor. “The DIA is the jewel of the city. This is one of the proudest achievements of my life… I’ve always had plenty of prayers. Now I have a wing, too.” 4. Taubman was a great speaker. “He didn’t even use a teleprompter,” marveled Sis Fisher. 5. Exhibits of live models in poses a la adjacent Avedon photos intrigued all. Most dramatic was the first one that greeted arriving guests just inside the main doors - a live Burmese Python slithering over a model costumed to appear nude. 6. Partiers, including the 203 mostly youthful who came on the post-dinner Chic ticket ($100), danced way past midnight. 7. The soiree raised $350,000 for the museum.
■ SKY Foundation Brunch
Planning Another Grand Night As she has for the past three years, Mikki Gardner-Mood planned the DIA benefit (reported above). When Crains Detroit Business named her one of its outstanding, up-and-coming 40 Under 40 last month, they called her a “go to events planner for leading nonprofits and corporate clients.” Meetings & Events Magazine also named her firm Mood Events LLC “Michigan’s Best Up & Coming Event Planner for 2009.” Now the 33-year-old Birmingham resident has become her own pro bono client, so to speak. She and Conde Nast’s Detroit Corporate Sales Executive Director Tracey Baldwin are chairing the Women’s Committee for Hospice Care’s Grand Night for Hospice XXII Saturday, Jan. 23. Gardner-Mood graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood High School and www.oaklandpaper.com
Clockwise from lower left: Carole Berhorst (left) of Beverly Hills with Janice Steinhardt and Susu Sosnick of Birmingham. Link Wachler (left) of Troy and SKY Foundation founder Sheila Sky Kasselman of West Bloomfield. Diana Day (left) and Julie Herman of Birmingham. Board member Judy McClellan of Birmingham and board president Dave Weir of Bloomfield. Dea Farrah (left) of Beverly Hills with event committee member Lucy Benham of Bloomfield.
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ A Black and White Affair at The Roostertail
Clockwise from upper left: Party hostess Diane Schoenith (left) of Grosse Pointe with Dr. Yvan Silva of Bloomfield and Sue Marx of Birmingham. Tom (left) and Sonia Ajluni Pastore and Maria Ajluni Coyle and her husband Sean of Bloomfield. Party host Tom Schoenith of Grosse Pointe and Cheryl Hall Lindsay of West Bloomfield. “Ethel Merman’s Broadway” star Rita McKenzie (left) of Los Angelus, CA with Rosanne Duncan and Phyllis Marra of Bloomfield. Colleen Hohendorf (center) of Detroit with Jeffrey Jucewicz (left) and Harris Van Cleef of Bloomfield.
■ Crittenton Gourmet Gala
Clockwise from lower left: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (left), his son Nikhil and wife Neeta of Bloomfield. Event co-chairs Patricia Sottile (left) and Gail Rink of Rochester. Bill and Ashleigh Brown of Bloomfield. Paul Haig, of Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry, official jeweler of the Gourmet Gala.
■ Sinai Guild’s Women in Philanthropy
Left to right: Helene and Daniel Lublin of Farmington Hills. Event co-chair Sandi Matz (left) of Franklin, speaker Dr. Mehmet Oz, event co-chair Marlene Oleshansky of West Bloomfield and Sinai Guild president Rusty Rosman of Commerce. Alan Schwartz (left) Mark Goodman, Sandy Schwartz and Teri Goodman of Franklin.
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Lake Forest College (BA in Business Administration) before getting an Associates degree in Culinary Arts at the California Culinary Academy. “(When I moved back from California in 2001) my mother’s passion for the Women’s Committee for Hospice Care and its wonderful mission inspired me to get involved,” she said. Her parents, Judy and Lee Gardner, also live in Birmingham. “We feel it’s crucial to involve the next generation in our (WCHC) events and organization. I’m proud to be part of an organization that is all volunteer. Therefore, 98 percent of our proceeds go directly to the nonprofit hospices we support,” noted Gardner-Mood. Baldwin, whose advertising career began in 1991 at Doner advertising agency after she graduated from Wayne State, has been a member of Women’s Committee for Hospice Care since 2004. “I’m honored to work with such an amazing group of women,” said the 40-year-old mother of two. Both young women have served on the ball committee for several years. Just because they are young does not mean they intend to change everything. Like the preceding generation of ball chairs, they are holding Grand Night at the Ritz-Carlton, where the inaugural WCHC fundraiser was the first charity ball when the hotel opened. They have enlisted two guys to be the honorary committee - Todd Peplinski, the R-C’s director of catering whom Garnder-Mood describes as “...an extraordinary support for many years”, and Polo Ralph Lauren Somerset Store General Manager Stephan Huber, who brings his years of expertise in fashion and design. A post-Gala, nightclub party within a party will be sponsored by Dragon Bleu Vodka. A new offering is the chance to spend ball night in an executive suite at the Ritz-Carlton for a donation of $50. The winner will be drawn no later than Jan. 8. Linda Ebert, one of the many WCHC volunteers, will be glad to sell you a raffle ticket as well as a Grand Night ticket ($300-patron, $500 benefactor). Call her at (248) 593-6087.
Angels Place Annual Dinner More than 600 Angels Place supporters gathered for the 17th Annual Dinner at the Hyatt Regency. Some came especially to hear Immaculee Ilibagiza, whose survival of the Rwandan genocide was miraculous. Before telling her faith-filled story after dinner, she signed books at the reception for 150 patrons and also graciously accepted a special gift created by jeweler Link Wachler. But most Angels Place advocates support the annual fund raising event regardless who is speaking because, as dinner co-chair Mike Jones pointed out, Angels Place commits to “care for life” for persons with developmental disabilities. And, although the 17th AP home is newly opened, “… there are 150 people on the waiting list,” he noted. Angels’ Place board chair Bob Koval, who co-chaired the $6-million campaign with Pat McQueen and Mary Ann Van Elsander, happily announced that the goal had been reached. This was thanks to a challenge gift from Alan and Sue Miller that matched donations in the last phase dollar for dollar. Sean and Laura Lilley donated the last few thouJANUARY 2010
sands needed to take advantage of the match, making the celebration possible at the annual dinner, which itself netted more than $110,000.
■ Detroit Institute of Arts’ To the Nines Gala
Heart to Heart de Mode Beaumont Foundation’s first fashion event attracted more than 150 women for the Saks Fifth Avenue runway show following a reception and luncheon at the neighboring Brio Tuscan Grille in Somerset Collection South. It was the fourth in a series of Heart to Heart events initiated by former model Florine Ministrelli to benefit the women’s heart center she and her husband established at Beaumont. The event raised some $15,000. At the luncheon, Cis Maisel Kellman told about being shocked to learn, from her cardiologist son, that there was little research into women’s heart disease. “With high hopes I am putting my money where my mouth is,” she said, explaining her new gift of $1 million for care and research at the Ministrelli center. Center director Dr. Pamela Marcovitz advised all to find out if they are at risk. For the fashion show, Cheryl Hall Lindsay wowed the crowd with everything from favorite LBDs (little black dresses) to Glam Rock.
HAVEN’s Shopping Night As she has done for the past five years, fashion veteran Lynn Portnoy hosted a shopping night at her shop in The Claymore to benefit HAVEN’s programs for victims of domestic violence. “I’m here to support two great causes, “declared attorney Harriett Rotter, “HAVEN and women!” She was among the 70 shoppers who turned out to sip wine, nosh and buy, both gifts and fashions for their own collections. The low key evening generated more than $3,000 for HAVEN. The next event on the calendar is HAVEN’s Celebration of Strength 4:30–6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Troy Marriott. It will celebrate Arlene Frank, Jeanne Towar, Julie Bingham and Chrysler Financial and Verizon Wireless. For tickets ($50, $109-patron), call Josh Campbell at (248) 334-1284, ext. 346 or go to www.haven-oakland.org.
Above: Judy (left) and honoree A. Alfred Taubman of Bloomfield with event honorary co-chair Mary Anne Gargaro of Grosse Pointe and her husband Gene, DIA board chair. Center column, top to bottom: Honorary co-chair Jennifer Fischer and her husband David of Bloomfield. Sandy (left) and Rick Naum with committee member Fair Radon of Bloomfield. Committee member Peggy Daitch and her husband Peter Remington of Birmingham. Far right: Event co-chairs Lila Silverman (left) of Bloomfield and Lorna Thomas of Detroit.
■ Planning Another Grand Night for Hospice Left to right: Mikki Gardner-Mood (left) of Birmingham conferring with the DIA’s Pam Marcil at the To the Nines! gala. Co-chairs for the 2010 Women’s Committee for Hospice Care’s “A Grand Night Like No Other”, Tracey Baldwin (left) of Northville and Mikki Gardner-Mood of Birmingham.
■ Angels Place Annual Dinner
Left to right: Featured speaker/author Immaculee Ilibagiza (left) with event co-chairs Kathleen McInerney of Birmingham and Joann Jones and Molly Schwartz of Bloomfield. Immaculee Ilibagiza (left) receiving gift from Glenn Wachler of Charlevoix, Link Wachler of Troy and Gary Wachler of Huntington Woods. Committee members Craig (left) and Nancy Valassis of Orchard Lake and Nora and Schhuyler Hamill of Bloomfield. LaVerne Short (left), Molly and Cathy McQueen of Bloomfield.
■ Beaumont Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center’s Heart to Heart de Mode
Literacy Council’s Benefit Dinner Nearly 100 supporters of the Oakland Literacy Council gathered at the Village Club for the 19th annual literary-focused fund raiser featuring a presentation by “Deadline” author WDIV’s Paula Tutman. The evening celebrated the 25th anniversary of the council and honored founder Robert Gaylor. Loyalists at the event, which raised $32,000, included Ellie Roberston, Carol and Jay Herbst, Rita and John Lindstrom, Mary Rosenbusch, Mariliyn and Robert Hart, Michael Durant, Jean and Robert Bechler, Bev and Joe Papai and John Almstadt. 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
Left to right: Honorary event chair Florine Ministrelli (left) of West Bloomfield with event co-chair Harriett Fuller of Bloomfield. Beaumont’s Dr. Pam Markovitz (center) of Ann Arbor with Martha Quay (left) of Bloomfield and Laura Taube of Lake Angelus. Committee member Susin Borin (left) of West Bloomfield and Colleen Burcar of Bloomfield.
■ HAVEN Benefit Shopping at Lynn Portnoy’s Shop Left to right: Gayla Houser (left) of Troy with event host Lynn Portnoy of Bloomfield. Ruth Carrigan (left) of Troy, Megan Zumbach of Sylvan Lake and Karen Roth of Bloomfield
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■ final word Transit center questions still unresolved
F
or supporters of a transit center project proposed for construction at the Birmingham-Troy border, the recent announcement of a federal earmark for the project was reason for celebration. Although the forthcoming federal funding is significant, the cities remain short on money to pay for the project. In addition, some critical questions involving the transit center remain unanswered. With funding and other issues yet to be resolved, there's still a long way to go before the transit center is assured of becoming a reality. Birmingham and Troy officials have been working to develop a modern transit center that would be progressive, innovative, and green. It's intended to be a hub for intercity train, regional bus, taxi, and black sedan services. There's been talk of possibly having rental cars available at the center, as well. The transit center building, to be constructed off of Doyle Drive, behind Midtown Square in Troy, would be approximately 2,400 square feet, with a waiting area, ticket seller space, restrooms, a kiosk area, and janitor space. It's designed as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building, with a green roof; a recycled water irrigation system; and geothermal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Stipulations in a land agreement between Troy and a developer provide a site for the project, but require construction to begin by June 2010. A big hurdle to clear before meeting that deadline is acquiring the funding necessary to pay for the project. To that end, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield)
recently announced Congressional approval of $1.3 million in federal transportation money for the project. The cities had previously raised $1.6 million for the estimated $7 million project, and the Michigan Department of Transportation has committed $350,000. That gives the cities $3.5 million for the transit center, with another $3.5 million needed. Area officials have applied for grants that could help meet the funding goal. Word on a pair of grants for the project should come sometime in early 2010. Given the revenue crunch all area municipalities are facing and will continue to face for the next several years and uncertainty about grant applications for the project, the transit center is anything but a done deal. Without grant approvals coming soon, the cities would be forced to come up with additional funding on their own, which would probably require deep cuts in their existing fiscal year budgets. Another pending issue related to funding is that while the passenger trains that currently travel on the tracks at the cities' border are owned and operated by Amtrak, the tracks themselves are owned by Canadian National Railway, which won't allow passengers to access trains from the Troy side of the tracks. In addition, the railway won't allow an at-grade crossing on the Birmingham side, or allow passengers to walk across the tracks to get to the Troy side. That means passengers would have to board from the Birmingham side, necessitating a pedestrian tunnel beneath the tracks connecting the transit center with a Birmingham access site. A pedestrian tunnel would come out in the area of Cole Street in Birmingham's Rail District.
The $7 million estimated cost for the project includes the cost of the transit center, but not acquiring land in Birmingham for the pedestrian tunnel. In essence, more than $3.5 million must still be raised for the project, but how much more remains unclear. There's also the question of whether Birmingham will be able to negotiate with a property owner willing to sell their land for the tunnel. If funding and land acquisition questions aren't daunting enough, there's at least two other issues that must be addressed. First, there's the need to determine a way for transit center users to get to Birmingham's downtown merchants. Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) buses would seem capable of fitting that bill, along with taxis or perhaps some kind of shuttle service. Connecting transit center users and the city's business district is, admittedly, not a monumental obstacle to clear, but an important consideration that needs attention. The big question hovering over the entire project is will enough people use the transit center to make this endeavor worthwhile. There's legitimate questions about the level of local SMART ridership as it is now, as buses moving through town with a handful or less riders is a common sight. As such, one must question projected use of a transit center. Research on potential use and any direct benefit to the city's merchants needs to be conducted before Birmingham officials consider allocating any city funds toward the project, particularly if grant funds aren't going to cover all costs. The project is a nice idea, but there's a lot of work left to be done. ■
Schools should move ahead with cuts
P
ublic school officials received some good, albeit tempered news in earlyDecember when Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced she had temporarily suspended a $127-per-pupil cut in funding for public schools. Administration officials state the funding cut suspension will be revisited in January. While we're sure public school officials were pleased to learn they would be getting larger state aid payments in December following suspension of the planned per-pupil funding cut, uncertainty over the suspension leaves districts without a clear indication of what their state funding will be for the 2009-10 school year. We suggest districts move to revise their 2009-10 budgets as if the $127-perpupil cut will in fact be implemented. In addition, more state funding cuts are expected for the next few academic years, so the more districts pare back now the easier it will be to adjust to state cutbacks for future academic years. The Granholm administration alerted
school districts on Dec. 10 that due to an unexpected surplus of over $100 million from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget, the $127-per-pupil cut would not be implemented as planned in the schools' December monthly state aid payments. However, all public schools would still see a $165-per-pupil cut approved by the Legislature under the state's FY 2010 budget. In addition, $51.5 million would still be cut from the state's 39 so-called Section 20J districts — including the Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills districts — which are among those with the highest local property tax bases. The future of the $127-per-pupil cut won't be known until after the state's January revenue estimating conference, when Granholm could restore the $127per-pupil funding cut or implement a smaller reduction. Local school districts would be wise to not count on avoiding that or a more modest funding cut for the current academic
year, and to move forward with their own spending cuts for the 2009-10 year as planned prior to Granholm's Dec. 10 announcement. School administrators can't count on the suspension becoming permanent, so they should instead assume the cutback will be reinstated. Enacting spending cuts now, if necessary, makes more sense than having to implement budget changes later in the academic year. State officials are notorious for overestimating revenue collections. If that trend continues, state and school district officials could very well be faced with less funding for schools this year, regardless of what's projected at next month's revenue estimating conference. Lansing officials make no bones about the probability of having to make more education funding cuts in the future. That should send a clear message to district officials that the funding crisis is far from over, and that cutting back now is a logical tact. ■
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Estate home on almost 4 acres of manicured grounds. Casual floor plan for entertaining. Finished lower level with all the recreation you need. $2,850,000
On private cul-de-sac street. Uncompromised details. First floor owners suite. Lower level with extensive amenities. Four car garage. $2,380,000
Adjacent to Cranbrook Educational Community. Newer construction boasting all bedroom suites, gracious floor plan and details, 7 fireplaces, 4 car garage. $2,285,000 Finished lower level.
In the Interlaken community. Almost 3/4 acre site with 100 ft. of lakefront. Expansion views of lake. Adjacent to Pine Lake Country Club. Bloomfield Hills schools. $1,397,000
D L SO Bloomfield Township Newer Construction
Custom Newer Construction in Bloomfield Hills
Quarton Lake Landmark Home
Newer Construction on Lakefront Setting
Butler Ridge Beauty
Walk to Downtown Birmingham
With 5 bedroom and baths. Finished lower level with theater, craft and recreation room. Three car garage. Bloomfield schools. $1,299,000
Walking distance to Andover High School. Over 9,000 sq. ft. of living with walkout. Four car garage. Upper Long Lake out lot access. $1,295,000
New on market. Situated on an almost double lot. Classic design with contemporary conveniences. Kitchen opens to family room. Three car garage. $1,285,000
6,000 sq. ft. on almost one acre in renowned Pine Creek Ridge. First floor master suite. Finished walkout lower level. Extensive amenities. $1,199,999
With almost 10,000 sq. ft. of living on all 3 levels. Situated on 1.5 acres with full walkout lower level and 4 car garage. As seen in Homestyle magazine. $1,175,000
Almost 5,000 sq. ft. of living with open floor plan for entertaining. Private owners wing. Views of large lot and luxurious grounds. $1,080,000
D L SO
D L SO
Private Gated Estate Community
Newer Construction in Quarton Lake
Union Lake Contemporary Masterpiece
Bloomfield Hills Gated Community
All-Sports Lakefront Setting
New Construction in Birmingham
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
With 3 car attached garage. Euro kitchen opens to family room, dining room and library. Master suite with separate sitting area. $949,000
Designed by award winning AZD this spectacular lakefront property was created to redefine architecture in Michigan. Over 5,000 sq. ft. of living. $939,000 Three plus car garage.
Over 5,200 sq. ft. with updated master suite. Finished lower level with bar. Three car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools. $895,000
With sunset views and sandy beach. City of Orchard lake. West Bloomfield schools. Surrounded by multi-million dollar homes. $749,999
Almost 4,000 sq. ft. of today’s living with gourmet kitchen, eat-in, 2-way fireplace to family room. Owners suite with office, Euro bath and dual closets. Private setting. $699,999
Executive Retreat in Bloomfield Hills
Birmingham Custom Remodel
West Bloomfield Rate 4 Acre
Birmingham Designer Home
Newer Arts and Crafts design with open floor plan. Private setting with tranquil views. Three car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools. $690,000
Located on cul-de-sac setting and large private grounds. Euro kitchen. Library. Master suite with walk-in closet. $599,999
Parcel that is a perfect opportunity to build your dream estate. Rolling topography. Water at street and sewer up Maple Road. Birmingham schools. $575,000
From this Designer perfect residence. Kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Second floor laundry. Finished lower level with full bath and bedroom. $569,999
City of Bloomfield Hills
A Rare Opportunity
Rare ranch style detached condo. Large kitchen with deck. Living room with fireplace. Dining room, Library. Finished walkout lower level. Lease for $2,500/month. $449,000
Large 5,910 sq. ft. Beverly Hills colonial with separate living apartment. Open floor plan ideal for entertaining. Also for lease $445,000 $2,800/month.
K A T H Y BROOCK BALLARD Bloomfield Township
West Bloomfield Ranch Style Home
Detached condo, end unit. Open floor plan and soft contemporary flair. Sleek kitchen with eat-in. First floor master suite. $499,000
This one and a half story is located on private setting with many capital improvements. Open floor plan. Private natural setting. $449,000
Bloomfield Hills Buildable Site
Sprawling Ranch
Bloomfield Hills Colonial
End Unit with Newer Kitchen
Close to Forest Lake Country Club and thoroughfares. A stunning, private elevation. Bloomfield Hills schools. $295,000
Situated on an 1 acre wooded lot. Remodel includes kitchen/family addition with 3 car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools. $290,000
Situated on large corner lot. Large rooms and open floor plan for entertaining. Bloomfield Hills schools. $235,000
Opens to step down family room, three bedrooms, formal dining room and living room. Finished lower level. Two car attached garage. $129,000
248.318.4504 KATHY@MAXBROOCKHOMES.COM MAX BROOCK REALTORS 275 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009
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