11/1/23 C & G Special Edition — Oakland

NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S

INSIDE:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 8-9A CRIME WATCH 11A

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 candgnews.com Oakland County papers

Oakland County Deputy Executive Madiha Tariq talks about the county’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the RIP Medical Debt program. The county will be using $2 million to purchase up to $200 million in debt for residents.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Art, Beats & Eats Event Producer Jon Witz speaks about the money raised from this year’s festival at an Oct. 12 press conference at the Flagstar Bank Regional Headquarters in Troy.

Arts, Beats and Eats to donate $386,000 to nonprofits, charities

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

Oakland County hopes to wipe out $200M of medical debt for residents

BY MIKE KOURY

mkoury@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — Up to $200 million in medical debt for Oakland County residents will be erased through a

new partnership with a nonprofit organization.

Oakland County and nonprofit RIP Medical Debt will be using $2 million from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to purchase up to $200 mil-

lion in medical debt for qualified residents of the county, which possibly could be up to 80,000 people.

According to its website, RIP Medical Debt uses data analytics to “pinpoint See DEBT on page 10A

Regional Stormwater Summit touts rebates for residents

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — On Oct. 20, more than 200 people gathered for the 10th annual Regional Stormwater

Summit to hear from experts and learn about a rebate program designed to encourage residents to reduce stormwater runoff on their own property.

The event was hosted by Lawrence Technological Uni-

See REBATES on page 12A

ROYAL OAK — The Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats and Eats festival was a big hit for Royal Oak last month, and its success will continue with hundreds of thousands of dollars going to nonprofit organizations.

At an Oct. 12 press conference, the festival announced it would be donating $386,904.92 to almost 60 local organizations and nonprofits. It is the second-largest donation that Arts, Beats and Eats has made in its 26-year history.

The very first Arts, Beats and Eats was held in 1998. That year, the total amount raised was $84,000. Event Producer Jon Witz said the growth of not only the event but the donation amount has been amazing.

“It’s the most rewarding part of putting the event on, is seeing goodwill,” he said. “It’s great to bring people together in peace, but when you have good weather and people are spending money to create a give-back situation, I think that’s what makes this so enjoyable for the participants, the sponsors, the volunteers. It’s just a big day for us today.”

See ARTS on page 15A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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3A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

SMART debuts extended bus routes connecting to Novi, Wixom

BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

The SMART bus route 740 now connects to Novi and Wixom.

OAKLAND COUNTY — As of Sept. 11, three Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation bus routes have been extended into Novi and Wixom.

On Oct. 17, SMART offered a group of community delegates and members of the media an opportunity to ride the newly expanded route 740 to experience the new service firsthand.

Prior to the extension of routes — including 740, which travels along 12 Mile Road; 305, which makes stops along Grand River Avenue; and 805, which stops along Grand River as well — many people were faced with a challenge of how to get to work in the areas of Novi and Wixom. Some would choose not to take jobs in those areas, due to the lack of transportation, while others would use several forms of transportation to get to work, such as the bus, walking, bicycling and ride-hailing services.

Randall Porterfield takes the bus routinely from his home in Hazel Park to his job at Halsted Place senior apartments, an assisted living facility in Farmington Hills.

He said he likes to ride the bus and See SMART on page 6A

Senior citizens in demand for holiday volunteering

BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — As the holidays are approaching many places are looking for extra help, particularly from seniors.

Places such as Meadow Brook and the Detroit Institute of Arts are in need of volunteers to fill a vast array of positions this holiday season and beyond.

Meadow Brook estate, in Rochester Hills, has an active and robust volunteer program, according to Katie Higgins, Meadow Brook marketing and communications manager. The volunteer cohort at Meadow Brook consists of around 300 people who volunteer their time to help make things happen at the estate.

According to Connor Newton, who oversees the volunteer program at Meadow Brook, volunteers at the estate range in age from high school students to senior citizens, with the majority of their volunteers being of senior stature.

“The bulk of our cohort are senior citizens, and the opportunities are really quite ranging,” said Newton. “I have a series of volunteer opportunities from the gardens into the house that really engages with many different areas of interests and proficiencies.”

Volunteer positions at Meadow Brook include gardeners, who maintain the various gardens throughout the property. The Garden Club meets on Tuesdays during the garden season. Newton said every Tuesday, approximately 16 members of the club come out to maintain the gardens on the grounds. There are also naturalists who volunteer to fight the invasive plants in the woodlands, Newton said. There are also squires, a group that is made up predominantly of men. The squires help with various maintenance tasks throughout the property, such as untangling and hanging Christmas lights, and painting doors. Volunteers with an interest in curating are able to get involved by assisting Meadow Brook curators with special projects. Curatorial volunteers help with the staging of exhibits, and assist the curator with moving of sensitive artifacts and fragSee VOLUNTEERS on page 7A

Photo provided by the Meadow Brook estate

Volunteers Marilyn Auberle and Patsy Ramsay decorate a Christmas tree at Meadow Brook.

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Local communities awarded DTE Energy Foundation tree-planting grant

METRO DETROIT — Several communities, schools and groups in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland counties have been awarded DTE Energy Foundation tree-planting grants.

According to an email sent by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the grants awarded total around $102,545. The funding and technical support, according to the email, are provided through a 27-year partnership between the DNR, DTE Energy Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan.

“Trees make our communities and neighborhoods beautiful, healthy and vibrant places,” Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban and Community Forestry program coordinator, said in the email. “This program promotes planting the right types of trees in the right places to ensure they stay healthy and provide benefits for all.”

The awardees in the C & G Newspapers coverage area are Birmingham, Grosse Pointe Woods, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Lakeview Public Schools and the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership.

“ReLeaf Michigan and the Michigan DNR play a crucial role in maintaining, protecting and expanding our state’s natural resources, including urban forests,” DTE Foundation President Rodney Cole said in the email. “The DTE Foundation is thrilled to be part of that mission and to see how these new plantings benefit communities.”

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State launches new auction website for surplus sales

STATEWIDE — The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget has launched a new online auction website for surplus sales, Michigan.gov/MiBid. The department said in a press release that the new MiBid site offers users an improved bidding experience, up-to-date security features, additional payer options, and enhanced bidder confidentiality. The site is integrated with the State of Michigan MiLogin portal, which provides a secure, single point of access to many state services.

The MiBid auction site is open to everyone, including local governments. While auction items are publicly viewable online at Michigan.gov/MiBid, anyone wanting to place a bid will need to create a free MiLogin profile.

Users who already have a MiLogin profile to access other state services are ready to go.

DTMB’s state surplus team works with state agencies to sell state surplus property and confiscated property for the Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police and the federal Transportation Security Administration. Office furniture, vehicles, specialized equipment and electronic equipment are among the items available for bid.

Bidders with questions can email DTMB-Surplus@Michigan.gov. Additional information about DTMB’s surplus program, including monthly in-person sales, can be found online at Michigan.gov/Surplus.

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BERKLEY/HUNTINGTON WOODS — Berkley BBQ and the Berkley American Legion recently hosted Rib Fest to raise money for Berkley/Huntington Woods Youth Assistance.

The event featured a BBQ dinner consisting of ribs, Texas-style beef brisket, Motor City smoked sausage, mac and cheese, smoked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread. The press release stated that Berkley/Huntington Woods Youth Assistance was chosen as the charitable organization because of “the excellent work that they do in supporting the youth of our community.”

The event was able to raise $7,500 for the organization. Learn more about the organization at bhwya.org.

— MIKE KOURY

0195-2325

Rib Fest raises thousands for local organization

BEHIND THE WHEEL

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023 /5A

David Balkevitch, with his 1972 Pontiac Ventura, takes “The Angry Pumpkin” to local car shows and cruises. The Center Line resident keeps the car’s Halloween theme all year long.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

: t a e r t r o k c i Tr

‘THE ANGRY PUMPKIN’ IS A SPOOKY RIDE

BY MARIA ALLARD

allard@candgnews.com

W

ith his 1972 Pontiac Ventura, David Balkevitch celebrates Halloween all year long.

Whether he’s displaying the vintage model at the weekly Sandbaggers Bar & Grill car show in Center Line or speeding down the Lapeer International Dragway, the spooky holiday follows him.

Balkevitch and his wife, Annette, purchased the sunset-orange car when they married in 2012.

“The guy I got the car from called it ‘The Pumpkin’ because it’s orange,” Balkevitch said.

Balkevitch renamed it “The Angry Pumpkin” because of his early days with the car.

“I bought used parts for it,” the Center Line resident said.

“They didn’t work with the car, so I called it ‘The Angry Pumpkin.’”

The moniker stuck, and a boo-tiful Halloweenmobile was created. Not only is the car orange — Halloween’s signature color — but Balkevitch displays the car as if it’s Oct. 31 every day.

Whenever he and Annette take the muscle car to a show or cruise, they add several creepy fixtures, including orange lights in the interior. Skeletons with jack-o’-lantern faces in the front and back seats look like they are ready for a “Monster Mash” up. The ghoulish mannequin in the driver’s seat even wears a racing jacket.

Also surrounding the ’72 Pontiac are more jack-o’-lantern skeletons, including one dressed as an angel with a halo and another in a devil outfit with horns. Another monster can be seen torquing lug nuts on a tire. When checking out the car, watch out for the giant spider before grabbing a piece of candy.

See ANGRY PUMPKIN on page 14A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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SMART from page 3A

has seen an uptick in the number of people riding the bus to the Farmington Hills and Novi area.

“People that have to go to, like, Twelve Oaks, people that don’t have cars, you know you can’t bike there from the east side out here. So you got to have some type of a way to reach from point A to point B,” Porterfield said.

“This boosts the economic vitality of Oakland County,” SMART General Manager Dwight Ferrell said. “It provides more people access to jobs, access to whatever it is that they want to do, employers more opportunities to be able to attract talent.”

Deante Brockman, of Detroit, also uses

the SMART bus system as a means to get to and from work each day. He said the extension of route 740 makes it easier for him to get to his job. Brockman said that prior to the extension, he would have to take route 405, which did not get him as close to his job.

“I don’t have to get off at the state fairgrounds. I can just take it from the east side,” he said.

The new route also makes a stop at Oakland Community College’s Orchard Ridge Campus in Farmington Hills. OCC Chancellor Peter M. Provenzano Jr. picked up the bus from the campus during the ride for dignitaries Oct. 17.

“I’ll tell you that expanding the route system and connecting our Farmington Hills campus to the western parts of Oakland county is an absolute game changer for our

students, because one of the greatest hurdles for them to get to school is transportation,” Provenzano said.

Oakland County Commissioner Gwen Markham, D-Novi, supported the 10-year, 0.95-mill transportation millage on all ballots throughout the county in 2022. She said the new millage was intended to prevent individual communities from being able to opt out of public transit services.

“I’ve been looking at this issue for over 25 years, and I will tell you that one of the first things that caught my eye were people walking on 12 Mile Road, west of Haggerty, where there are no sidewalks — dead of winter and there are these people walking — and so a few times I would stop and I would say, ‘Where are you going?’ Oh, they were coming to work over here, right? The bus only went to Haggerty Road, so they had to walk

farther,” Markham said. “I would see people like that all the time, almost every day. For me it’s just been a bit of a progression from, ‘Why doesn’t a city the size of Novi have a bus?” That just never made sense to me.

It seems simplistic, but that’s really how it started.”

Markham said she also noticed the same thing occurring on Grand River Avenue. According to Markham, approximately 35,000 people come into the city of Novi to work. She said this inspired her to try to do something about the lack of public transportation.

In November 2022, the transportation mileage passed with a majority of 57% countywide.

“In a lot of areas, elected officials wouldn’t let the people vote on (public transSee SMART on page 15A

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Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Rabbi Mendel Polter talks with Sen. Gary Peters about the Woodward Avenue Shul, which was the beneficiary of a security grant, Oct. 12.

Senator visits synagogue to discuss security grants

BY MIKE KOURY

mkoury@candgnews.com

ROYAL OAK — The Woodward Avenue Shul in Royal Oak received a $150,000 federal grant to make technological upgrades to increase its security.

The shul, located at 25595 Woodward Ave., received the grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The grant came as part of $7.5 million in funding that was awarded to various Michigan nonprofits and faith-based organizations to help secure houses of worship from threats of violences.

This past April, the shul’s building was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. Since then, the shul has been able to install a new alarm system that not only contacts the police immediately upon activation, it also is connected to other Jewish institutions in the city to alarm them as well, Rabbi Mendel Polter said.

The shul underwent a risk assessment from Jewish Community Security Inc. to figure See SYNAGOGUE on page 13A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Volunteers from page 3A

ile furniture. Curatorial volunteers receive special training to be able to handle historical artifacts. The estate also has opportunities for volunteers to digitize imagery and many other projects that are overseen by the estate curators.

“On the interpretive side, which I closely oversee, I have hosts and docents who are really tasked with sharing the story of Meadow Brook with the general public and with private touring guests,” said Newton. “So, volunteers who are interested in communicating.

They’re generous in their approach with folks from all over the world - all over the country, because Meadow Brook attracts those kind of visitors who are interested in building connections and rapport with strangers and friends alike. They find a great place here. Although I work here, I often tell people that, for me, in a lot of ways, Meadow Brook is somewhat of a third place — a place that’s not home, a place that’s not work, where you can come together with like-minded individuals and find fulfillment and satisfaction, and for many people — well, for hundreds of people — Meadow Brook serves as that kind of place.”

However, with the holidays approaching, Newton said the greatest need at the estate is

for volunteers to provide assistance with hosted and self-guided touring. This is also needed throughout the year for both self-guided touring and for private events, such as weddings and evening programs.

“This is an opportunity where folks with a love of history and a knack for interpersonal communication can engage with external visitors here at Meadow Brook and sort of bring our history alive,” said Newton. “And also protect our collections, right? Eyes are really important to ensure that our artifacts are being appropriately interacted with by visitors.

Newton said the programs offered by Meadow Brook for volunteers are ever growing. In a calendar year, the estate has approximately 300 active volunteers. He said that if they could get another dozen or two volunteers in the next calendar year, that would be “fantastic.”

“We are always eager for more hands,” said Newton. “Volunteers are essential to our mission. Not only do they contribute to the culture of this space, (and) with their knowledge and their passion bring Meadow Brook to life for the general public, they also represent a really important source of manpower and hours. So with their talent and with the time that they give us, it would be a big challenge to hire that many people to come in (to) help us with those kind of projects and with the kind of work they do, so they are

really crucial to a nonprofit like us.”

The DIA is currently seeking volunteers for positions such as ushers at the Detroit Film Theater, gallery information and gallery service voluntary positions, as well as in the museum shop committees. Volunteers at the DIA are required to commit to 50 hours of service per year, which equates to four hours a month.

Volunteers are also required to attend scheduled training, meetings and enrichments. The DIA offers flexible schedules, with two to four shifts available every day. Shifts are available in one- to four- hour increments.

“Volunteers are welcome to volunteer as often as they like. We have volunteers who come in weekly, monthly, or just as their schedules allow,” said Phil Rivera, the director of volunteer services for the DIA. “There are no educational requirements to volunteer — simply an interest in art and service to the community.”

DIA volunteers are required to become members of the DIA at any level and to pay annual committee dues ranging from $5-$50, which go toward defraying the cost of committee activities. This includes off-site enrichments, guest speakers, supplies, etc. Volunteering is open to people age 18 or older.

Currently, just over 500 people volunteer at the DIA. Of those, approximately 85% are age 55 or older, and 65% are over age 65. On an average day, 15-25 volunteers are needed

to facilitate operations, depending on what is going on at the museum.

“While we do not exclusively recruit senior volunteers, we have found that seniors tend to volunteer more actively at the DIA due to greater availability and flexibility. Volunteering at the DIA provides opportunities for our volunteers to learn and grow their love of art, develop lasting friendships, and find fulfillment in our mission to help visitors find personal meaning in art, individually and with each other,” said Rivera.

DIA volunteers primarily work onsite at the DIA. The only exception is for “Behindthe-Seen” art talks conducted at libraries, community centers, senior residences, etc., and occasionally, community engagement at art fairs and similar events.

Meadow Brook and the DIA are accepting applicants for those who wish to volunteer at their facilities this holiday season through Oct. 31. Applications received after that date will be reviewed in late January or early February.

For more information about volunteering at Meadow Brook call (248) 364-6210 or email MBGCmembers@gmail.com. For more information about volunteering at the DIA, contact their Volunteer Services Department at diavol@dia.org or (313) 833-1382.

Detailed information is also available on their respective websites.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.

8A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023 Photo provided by Carla Reeb

NOV. 17-19

NOV. 10

Nature Uncorked fundraiser: Wine and beer tasting, food from local restaurants, silent auction, card raffles, games and more, raises money for Stage Nature Center, 6-9 p.m. (5 p.m. for VIP), Troy Community Center, troynaturesociety.org/natureuncorked

NOV. 2

Play ‘Pokémon Go’: Meetup at 6:30 p.m., Green Acres Park, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park, (248) 546-4095 ‘How Hamtramck Became a Major League City:’ Discussion about Black baseball leagues in Detroit and Hamtramck and history of Hamtramck Stadium, 7 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, registration required, (248) 266-5440, rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org

NOV. 3

Free legal clinic: For low-income residents and senior citizens, 9 a.m., Southfield Human Services, 26000 Evergreen Road, also Dec. 1, (248) 796-4540

NOV. 4

Ruck 22 March: Carry 22 pounds or 22 food or personal items 2.2 miles in remembrance of the 22 veterans who commit suicide daily in the United States, goods support Vietnam Veterans of America #154 Food Pantry, 10 a.m., Centennial Commons, 203 S. Troy St. in Royal Oak, romi.gov/ruck22 5K Green Bucket Run/Walk: Supports youth development and music education nonprofit Accent Pontiac, 9 a.m., Kirk in the Hills, 1340 Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, runsignup.com

doors at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and trivia at 7 p.m., Clawson Knights of Columbus, 870 N. Main St., royaloakoptimists.org Kimchi Festival of Michigan 2023: Kimchi workshop, entertainment, Korean food tasting, culture and more, 2-5 p.m. (doors at 1:30 p.m.), Royal Oak Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak, Kimchi Festival of Michigan (Non-Profit) on Eventbrite

NOV. 8

Festival of Trees: Viewing of locally made trees, wreaths and centerpieces, cocktail preview with refreshments, silent auction and cash bar 7 p.m. Nov. 17, open to public 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 18 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 19, Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave. in Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com/ festival-of-trees Chickamauga’: Presentation by author includes information about Civil War soldiers buried at Pine Lake Cemetery, 7-8 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, free but donations appreciated, wblib.org

NOV. 10

Spaghetti dinner: All you can eat, 4:30-7 p.m., Royal Oak Woman’s Club, 404 S. Pleasant St., (248) 5493701, rowc.org/events

Domestic violence community forum: Moderated

by Fox 2 News Legal Analyst Charlie Langton and featuring local police officials and groups, 5:30 p.m., Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, (248) 832-2799

NOV. 10-12

Conservation Campfires: Hear stories about possible extinction of gray wolves, s’mores provided, 6-8 p.m., Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 North Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org

NOV. 11

WWII Balloon Bombs Over Farmington: Presentation at 6:30 p.m., Farmington Public Library, 23500 Liberty St. in Farmington, free but registration required, michiganww2memorial.org/balloonsinfarmington

NOV. 9

Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market: Last event of season, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave., facebook.com/FarmingtonMarket

Homeschool Series: Rock On: Ages 6-9 and 10-13 can learn about rocks, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Red Oaks Nature Center at Suarez Friendship Woods, 30300 Hales St. in Madison Heights, register at (248) 858-0916

Trivia night: Fundraiser for Royal Oak Optimist Club,

‘The 22nd Michigan Infantry and the Road to

Motor City Comic Con: Noon-7 p.m. Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 11 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 12, Suburban Collection Showcase, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, motorcitycomiccon.com OUTRUN Hunger: Benefits Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce Township and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford, 5K and 1-mile run/walk, 10 a.m., Commerce Township Hall, 2009 Township Drive, outrunhunger.org Artisan market: More than 75 vendors expected, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., OPC Social and Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, opccenter.org

NOV. 12

Military collection: See gear, newspaper articles, photos and uniforms from WWI, WWII and Korean War during open house at home of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, 1-4 p.m., Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road, free admission but donations appreciated, gwbhs.org/events

VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES NOV. 9

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, register by Nov. 2, cityofnovi. org/veteransday

NOV. 11

• 11 a.m., Veterans War Memorial in Centennial Commons, 203 S. Troy St. in Royal Oak • 11 a.m., Troy Veterans Plaza in front of City Hall, 500 W Big Beaver, (248) 524-1147 • 10:30-11:30 a.m., Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township, 5236 Adams Road in Oakland Township, vtotmi.org Chanu-Con!: Hanukkah festival with gift vendors, kosher food, 50-50 raffle, kids activities, live music and more, 1-5 p.m., Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln St. in Oak Park, bit.ly/chanucon2023

NOV. 15

Ball for All family dance: DJ, appetizers and photos, 6:30-8 p.m., Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, register at wbparks.org

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Photo by Bureau Detroit

‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’: Performed by Stagecrafters, select dates Nov. 3-19, Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, stagecrafters.org Mistletoe Marketplace: Fundraiser for Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, includes luncheon, boutique shopping, raffles and silent auction, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., The Palazzo Grande, 54660 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, www.facebook.com/assistance leaguesoutheasternmichigan

NOV. 16

Thanksgiving luncheon: Noon-2 p.m., Meadowbrook Activity Center, 25075 Meadowbrook Road in Novi, register until Nov. 10, (248) 347-0414

NOV. 16-17

Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition: Juried show featuring about 60 artists, also art-making experiences, live entertainment and adult beverages, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 11 Mile Road and Troy Street in downtown Royal Oak

artists, makers, authors and bakers, sales run 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 18 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 19, 221 W. Troy St., undergroundferndale.com

Photo provided by the Birmingham Village Players

‘Jersey Boys’: Performed by Birmingham Village Players, 8 p.m. Nov. 3-4 and 10-11, and 2 p.m. Nov. 5 and 12, 34660 Woodward Ave., birminghamvillageplayers.com

Photo by Rachel Corp

NOV. 27

Tree lighting: Also photos with Santa, holiday music and free cookies and cocoa, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Civic Center Plaza, 300 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights, madison-heights.org

DEC. 3

Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade: Featuring more than 100 entries marching along 1.5-mile route, 2 p.m., rrc-mi.com/christmas-parade ‘James and the Giant Peach’: Presented by Rochester University Theatre & Music, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 16-18 and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19, 800 W. Avon Road in Rochester Hills, (248) 218-2149, https://rochesteru.edu/ru-theatre-music

NOV. 16-19

‘Finding Nemo Jr.’: Performances by Novi Youth Theatre and In The Mitten Productions, 7 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 18-19, Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, cityofnovi.org/news/comesee-finding-nemo-jr

All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit: Presented by Stoney Creek Model Railroad Club, also scavenger hunt, noon-3 p.m. Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 9-10, 17, 23 and 27-30, Calf Barn at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/musprograms

NOV. 17

Harvest Day Lunch: Noon-1:15 p.m., Connect Senior Center, 33230 W. 14 Mile Road in West Bloomfield, register at wbparks.org Arts gala: Inaugural event to raise funds for Madison Heights Arts Board initiatives, includes five-course meal and drinks, live music and dancing, charity auction, and meet-and-greet with local artists, 6 p.m., Club Venetian Banquet Center, 29310 John R Road, artsboard@madison-heights.org, also search Madison Heights Arts Gala 2023 on Eventbrite.com

NOV. 18-19

Ferndale Underground Market: “Secret society” of

ONGOING

‘Go Figure’: Painting exhibit on display Nov. 5-Dec. 28, Woods Gallery at Huntington Woods Library, 26415 Scotia Road, woodsgallery.org Night Hike and Campfire: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2 (animals) and Oct. 9 (s’mores and stars), Spencer Park, 3701 John R Road in Rochester Hills, registration required on eventbrite.com

Holidays at the Farmhouse: See 1840s building decorated with boughs of holly, old Christmas cards, family gifts, community cookbooks and 10-foot Christmas tree, noon-3 p.m. on select dates starting Nov. 24, also holiday tea 10-11 a.m. Nov. 28, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, (248) 656-4663 Lost Lake Nature Park: Open houses with themed activities every second Saturday and fourth Sunday of month, includes two-part event about life in the 1890s (Nov. 11 and 26), ice (Dec. 9) and snow (Dec. 17), noon-3 p.m., 846 Lost Lake Trail in Oakland Township, (248) 656-0999

Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, also antiques and collectibles 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, Royal Oak Farmers Market on Facebook ‘Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park’: Performed by Ridgedale Players, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 3-19, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, ridgedaleplayers.com ‘Ripcord’: Presented by Rosedale Community Players, 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 4, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road in Southfield, rosedalecommunityplayers. com Rock Around the Hawk: Free mini music festivals for kids, 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 3 (Awesome City Limits) and Dec. 8 (Toasty Man), The Hawk - Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, (248) 699-6700

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Debt from page 1A

the debt of those most in need: households that earn less than 4x the federal poverty level” or whose debts are 5% or more of annual income. The organization buys “debt in bundles, millions of dollars at a time at a fraction of the original cost. This means your donation relieves about 100x its value in medical debt.”

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said at a press conference at Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit in Royal Oak Oct. 19 that the county’s health and human services personnel have been looking at ways to increase access to care and to relieve debt for residents.

Coulter stated that when the county uses its American Rescue Plan Act dollars, he wants it to be transformational. Using $2 million to clear debt on its own could be a drop in the bucket, but using that funding to erase $200 million, he said, is transformational.

“It’s not just the fact that they’re carrying this debt, but this debt impacts other aspects of their lives,” Coulter said. “It ruins your credit score to carry this around. It affects your mental health, frankly. It holds you back to having your most successful opportunities in life. So it’s not just erasing, you know, medical debt for folks, maybe up to 80,000 … Oakland County residents, but I think it’s putting them on a path to a quality of life that they have been held back (from) by this debt. And so we’re really excited to be doing this. I think it’s an important and transformational investment that we’re making.”

Coulter said after the American Rescue Plan Act money is gone, the project will be over, though because this is a nonprofit, there could be ways to keep it going through fundraising opportunities.

The county said this is not a program that residents need to apply for; eligible residents will be notified by RIP Medical Debt if their debt has been eliminated.

According to Deputy Oakland County Executive Madiha Tariq, who oversees the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, RIP Medical Debt will analyze which people are most in need, and then a patient’s hospital and the nonprofit will work to determine whether RIP Medical Debt will acquire those debts.

“The people who are impacted, who carry medical debt in this country, are working families,” she said. “Over 50% of people in this country either currently carry medical debt or carried it in the last five or so years.

So this issue of medical debt impacts your neighbor, your friend, your teacher, your

kids’ schoolteacher, and to be part of it is for us is just an honor and a pleasure. No one should ever have to choose between life and the financial ruin of their family. By eliminating medical debt, we give people the reset they need.”

Tariq stated that people who qualify most likely will start seeing letters next year about their debt being erased.

“Medical debt is a social determinant of health,” she said. “Families delay care when they have debt, because they fear going to a health care setting … and it widens the health disparity gaps that exist in our communities because — guess what? — medical debt disproportionately impacts communities of color, rural communities, medically underserved communities. So this is also a health equity success for us, especially for those of us who are in public health.”

Oakland County Commissioner Charlie Cavell, a Democrat who serves the cities of Berkley, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and portions of Birmingham and Royal Oak, helped push for this program as he knows the burden of carrying medical debt.

Cavell recalled how he contracted giardia after a mission trip to Haiti years ago and ended up in a Florida emergency room.

Cavell didn’t have health insurance, and that one night cost more than $6,000. The debt followed him for years as his credit score took a hit, he said, which led to him living in month-to-month apartments that didn’t check his credit, and he wasn’t able to buy his first car until he was 28 because of his credit.

“There’s lots of ripple effects of medical debt,” he said. “The vast majority of RIP’s work is paying $25 to pay off a $2,500 medical debt, which was incurred because someone had a deductible they cannot afford. And today we’re fixing that.”

Kyra Taylor, of Detroit, has seen firsthand her medical debt wiped clean by the nonprofit.

Taylor, 34, has undergone multiple transplants, receiving two kidneys and a pancreas. She was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 10 and had her insurance cut off when she was 18. She recounted how she worked at a minimum wage job, but it didn’t offer insurance. Taylor also tried applying for assistance with the state government, but she was told she made too much money.

According to Taylor, her insulin costs $100 a bottle, which lasts three weeks. But because she had to pay rent and her medical bills, she had to cut back on her medicine and use something she wasn’t supposed to be taking that cost less in order to survive.

It didn’t matter, as Taylor put it, because she was drowning in debt. She told C & G Newspapers that she had accumulated “tens

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Oakland County Commissioner Charlie Cavell, who voted to support the program, talks about his personal experience with having medical debt. of thousands” of dollars in debt. to file bankruptcy when she received a letter “My medical debt, it was so high that from RIP Medical Debt. She threw the letter when I would finish paying what I could pay, away at first but checked it again to see that rent, the medical debt, so far, I would only be her medical debt was gone. The organization left with like $10. And you can’t do nothing had purchased and erased $3,600 of her debt. with $10. You can’t buy food, we can’t pay “This has given me my life back,” she rent, nothing like that,” she said. said of her debt being gone. “I can travel, I At one point, Taylor was in her last steps can go to work, I can pay my bills.”

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

E WE H T F O E M I R K•C E E W E NEWSWORTHY H T F O CRIME INCIDENTS REPORTED TO LOCAL POLICE, AS COMPILED BY C & G REPORTERS

Father stabs man after entering his home, chasing 10-year-old daughter

pect, Isaiah Anthony Ware, 45, exiting the store. Ware was ordered to the ground and was taken into custody, ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to and a Glock pistol was found in his waistband.

Witnesses told officers that they saw Ware with the 2900 block of Alexander Street on the report of a a pistol by his side and heard him say, “I’m about to home invasion at 7:43 p.m. Sept. 27. murder you” and “You better get out of here before you The caller, a 52-year-old man from Rochester get killed. I will kill you.”

Hills, reported that an unknown male entered his Ware was arraigned Oct. 6 in 48th District Court home and was chasing his 10-year-old daughter. He and was charged with assault with a dangerous said his 10-year-old daughter had been confronted by the suspect outside their residence, when the suspect weapon. He was issued a $10,000/10% cash bond.

Ware posted bond, was released, and awaits court became agitated and chased his daughter into their home. The homeowner said he confronted the suspect, proceeding. An attorney for Ware could not be reached. whom he did not know, and a physical confrontation Man arrested for carrying large knife ensued, and he stabbed the suspect in the chest.

SOUTHFIELD — Officers responded to a call about The suspect was last seen exiting the garage. a man carrying a large knife in the parking lot of the A responding deputy observed a male matching 26000 block of Evergreen Road at 10:46 p.m. Oct. 2. the suspect’s description attempting to enter a home When police arrived, they saw that the suspect next door. The suspect, a 35-year-old man from Novi, had the knife in hand and arrested him at the scene. was taken into custody after a short struggle.

The blade was 8 to 10 inches.

Deputies later discovered that the suspect was staying with a girlfriend near the victim’s residence.

The Rochester Hills Fire Department arrived and Pair charged with stealing from Kmart site transported the suspect to the hospital for treatment TROY — Two suspects were arrested after being of a stab wound and then to the substation to be found trespassing inside the former Kmart headquarinterviewed. He was later transported to the Oakland ters, 3100 W. Big Beaver Road, which is currently being County Jail and lodged, pending issuance of charges. demolished.

Man charged with assault The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1. Officers saw that a portion of the fence with a dangerous weapon surrounding the site had been knocked over. Inside, a BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Town53-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both from ship Police Department responded to a grocery store in the 4000 block of Telegraph Road at approximately Flint, were found allegedly trying to steal copper piping from inside the building.

5:20 p.m. Oct. 5 on a report that a man had pulled a The woman also was found carrying a black gun and pointed it at another customer.

Officers arrived and immediately located the sus- leather fanny pack containing crystal methamphet-

amine, two pipes and crack cocaine. The male suspect was charged with one count of breaking and entering a building with intent and one count of possession of burglar’s tools. The female suspect was charged with one count of breaking and entering a building with intent and one count of possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic, less than 25 grams.

attempt to gain entry. However, the suspects did not get inside, and nothing was taken.

Police were investigating.

Movie screen damaged at Emagine

NOVI — Novi police were called to Emagine for three lacerations near the base of the movie screen in theater No. 3 on Oct. 18. The damage totaled $15,000, according to the report.

Resident reports assault The manager said a woman complained of an WEST BLOOMFIELD — A woman reported that a issue with the screen and left. He then went back and former boyfriend assaulted her with a knife at 8:17 found the lacerations to the screen. According to the a.m. Oct. 8. report, two of the lacerations were quite large and The suspect fled the scene after the alleged estimated to be 4 feet and 5 feet in length. The third assault. was smaller at a foot to 2 feet in length, according to Officers processed the scene, and detectives the report. were notified.

The manager said he was able to view closed The investigation was forwarded to the Oakland circuit TV footage and was able to determine who was County Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges. responsible, but he did not have a clear image of the suspect’s face.

Credit card fraud The footage shows that the suspect bought a BIRMINGHAM — A business owner stated recently that in September, a suspect visited the business and ticket believed to be for the 1 p.m showing of “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.” The suspect then went purchased $3,522 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets straight to theater No. 3. The first two lacerations were using multiple credit cards.

A few weeks later, the owner was informed by his not visible to the camera, but he can be seen touching the left side of the screen. He then headed to the right credit card company that the cards were declined. side of the screen and went off camera. The suspect An investigation was ongoing. then reenters the frame and proceeds to make a Business window damaged smaller laceration to the left side of the screen before HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, a exiting, police said. business in the 800 block of East Nine Mile Road was The suspect exited the theater at 12:18 p.m. damaged around 5:07 a.m. Oct. 14.

The footage shows the suspect wearing a hooded Two suspects in dark hoodies drove a white Ram sweatshirt with the hood up. The footage also shows pickup truck up to the business, Green Pharm, and the suspect wearing a facial mask that covered his damaged the glass windows in what may have been an facial features, according to the report.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

12A

Rebates from page 1A

versity, the office of Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash and Pure Oakland Water at LTU. While a final grade will not be determined until the spring of 2024, Conor Keitzer, from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, shared an update on the report card for the Clinton, Detroit, Huron, Raisin and Rouge rivers.

The progress report serves as a broadlevel assessment to engage the community and create accountability. The final report card will be graded using 33 indicators based on six categories: water quality, infrastructure, human health, recreation, the economy and ecosystem condition.

During the progress update, Keitzer shared data on sewer overflows and flooding spanning from 2019 to 2021, noting whether a location had a combined sewer overflow event, or CSO, which is discharged from systems that carry both stormwater and sewage, and if the location did not have any CSOs. “We know this is not a realistic goal in the short term, but it is in the long term. It’s something we want to work towards. So, we want to assess where we are now and make sure we’re progressing towards that goal of having no CSO untreated waste events,” Keitzer stated. “So the Clinton, during this time frame, did not have an untreated event occur. Detroit, we see quite a few, and the Rouge has huge CSO issue with lots and lots.”

Keitzer added that sanitary sewer overflows, or SSOs, were recorded in a similar way.

Using the average number of floods in the watersheds from 2017 to 2021, Keitzer shared that the Clinton River and the Rouge River had a 3.2 average number of floods, the Huron River had 1, the Detroit River had 0.8 and the River Raisin had 0.6.

“If we really want to make a meaningful impact, we have to get the residents involved,” Lynne Seymour, chief engineer for the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, said about the George W. Kuhn District.

Teaming up with Stephanie Petriello, an environmental planner for Oakland County Water Resources Commission, the two spent the past 10 months working with the Center for Watershed Protection and the Clinton River Watershed Council to launch RainSmart Rebates.

RainSmart Rebates is a program designed to promote “environmental stewardship and help homeowners manage stormwater.” Residential homeowners in the George

W. Kuhn Drainage District who implement green stormwater infrastructure practices such as installing a rain garden, rain barrels and planting trees are eligible for a one-time $2,000 rebate.

The George W. Kuhn Drainage District includes all or part of Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Troy.

The county has allocated $200,000 on a first-come, first-served basis starting Jan. 1, 2024, through 2025 for the RainSmart Rebate program. Rain gardens will receive a rebate of $6 per square foot. Rain barrels will receive $125 maximum, two per property. Trees can earn $250, maximum of two per property. +The rebate ceiling is $2,000 per property, allowing residents to mix and match their stormwater projects.

To apply, eligible homeowners can visit oakgov.com, search for “RainSmart Rebates” and complete an application. Once they’ve been verified as the property owner, a mandatory site assessment, which costs $25, will be conducted. Following the site assessment, the homeowner can install their stormwater projects; 20% of the rebate budget will be reserved to assist homeowners unable to financially or physically install their projects.

The next step is for homeowners to fill out a rebate request with receipts and photos. The final step is for the homeowner to receive their rebate.

Birmingham, Oak Park, Royal Oak and Southfield are pilot partners for the RainSmart Rebate program. Despite the fact that only Southfield residents within the George W. Kuhn Drainage District will be eligible, Southfield Stormwater Manager Brandy Siedlaczek is still eager to see more residents implement these green infrastructures. “The county decided to do this program, so we could do it at a residential, local level, and try to get more people involved in being part of the solution to water quality and the flooding issues we’ve had.”

Siedlaczek explained that Southfield has a number of green infrastructure projects throughout the city on a municipal level, such as the bioswales at Beech Woods, Carpenter Lake and Inglenook parks, the bio-retention pond at Evergreen Road, and a tiered structure meant to retain stormwater at Valley Woods Trailhead. She explained that Southfield residents can anticipate more green infrastructure projects in Southfield, with more bioswales and rain gardens expected by the spring of next year.

For more information regarding the Regional Stormwater Summit, contact Alyssa Taube at TaubeA@oakgov.com.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Rain gardens, such as this one at the Southfield municipal complex, were discussed at the forum.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Synagogue from page 6A

out where it felt vulnerable and what could be helped. Polter stated that the results were significant, as the costs were beyond the Shul’s annual income budget, but the Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding came at the right time.

Polter said future security improvements that will be done with the funding include video camera system upgrades, window fortification, new locks and bulletproof doors.

“The risk assessment is very exhausting and thorough in discussing these measures, and we look forward to, over the next year or two, to actually enact all this,” he said.

The announcement of the funding coincided with a visit on Oct. 12 from Sen. Gary Peters, who is the chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and who helped secure the funding. It also happened days after deadly terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas.

Peters said attacks on Jewish places of worship is a concern in the United States and it’s built not just on what’s happening in Israel now, but an increase in antisemitism to

levels not seen in decades.

“This has been a trend, which is a primary reason why it was important for us and for me to work to provide these grants to make sure that people, when they head to their sanctuary to worship and to pray, that they should feel secure,” he said. “This should be a place where people are always secure, but with the heightened tensions related to the rise of antisemitism and domestic terrorism … we have to be able to deal with that issue on a variety of fronts, but after the attacks that we’ve seen, not only in synagogues but churches and mosques, it was important for us to make sure that we’re protecting these institutions.”

Peters said that many of the houses of worship like the shul are not large institutions and have small, limited resources.

Steven Ingber, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, stated that Jewish people are around 2.9% of the American population, but 57% of all hate crimes in the country are directed at Jewish people.

“It’s a staggering number,” he said.

“The fact that we’re dealing with that in today’s day and age is unbelievable. And I want to thank the senator for helping us with that and securing these faith-based institutions.

We’re here today in a building that is clearly, noticeably Jewish. There’s Jewish writing outside the wall. People walk here on Shabbat; they should be free to do it. And it’s not just a synagogue. It’s a mosque. It’s a Hindu temple. It’s a church. Wherever you want to practice your religion, you should be able to.”

Amid what’s happening overseas, Polter was asked about tension between the Jewish and Palestinian population in the local area and what can be done about it. He said it’s time to arrive at the perspective that everyone can recognize that they all need some sort of belief system in their life, but it doesn’t have to contradict other people’s belief systems.

“Every nation is respected and supposed to live up to their best and their mission and their calling. The Jewish people have theirs and other people have theirs, and we respect that. We’re not trying to pull anyone in, we’re not trying to prosecute anyone for their beliefs,” he said. “However, at the same time, I would just say that the response for such hate … is really the absolute conviction and steadfast commitment not to falter.

We’re not going to bend, we’re not going to give up. We’re going to absolutely fight for goodness, for kindness, for truth, for good, for positivity in this world. And it will pre-

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vail, as it has in every single war and every single time these contradictions came into place.”

Polter also said there are many efforts to bring together the Muslim community and the Jewish community in the area.

“Growing up throughout the years here — I’m a fifth generation Detroiter — I personally never experienced any antisemitism between the Muslim community and our community,” he said. “I’m not saying there hasn’t ever been, but personally, on a personal level, there never has been. I hope that continues. I’ve heard about some events that took place in various communities around the area, but we hope that that’s the minority and it’s just words. Everyone’s entitled to speak, but that action is and violence is never condoned and never enacted.”

Peters and other senators recently asked the U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $500 million for the fiscal year 2024. According to a press release from Peters, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program distributed $305 million last year, but not not every organization that applied received funding.

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

14A

Angry Pumpkin from page 5A

The Balkevitches take the car to local car shows, including Leason’s Dairy Bar and Grille in Warren and Autorama at Detroit’s Huntington Place. It’s also been a hit at many trunk-or-treat events.

“People honk and wave. There are more people that love Halloween than I thought.

People know the car because it’s been on TV and in magazines. Anytime it’s on TV, I get phone calls and text messages,” Balkevitch said. “Kids don’t always like to go to car shows, but they’re drawn to (the Ventura).

They love it. They ask about the year and if it’s a race car.”

And the classic car owner always lets parents and kids sit inside the car and take photos.

“It’s just a fun car. I’ve always been doing it for the kids. A lot of kids love the smallest little details,” Balkevitch said. “The smiles on their faces mean more than anything. It makes you feel like you’re doing the right thing. Hopefully they’ll keep the classic cars alive.”

Balkevitch also shows up at charity

events with the car in an effort to help different organizations. He likes to share the car with others because of his own experiences with his children when they were young.

“My kids both had head surgeries,” he said. “The Ronald Ronald McDonald House (Charities) helped me out a lot.”

The vintage vehicle features a hydraulic roller cam, Mad Dog Headers and a fourwheel disc brake conversion. It’s received recognition at different car events. One year, the Ventura was deemed the fastest street car at the Pontiac Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, giving Balkevitch “bragging rights.”

The Ventura was victorious as the 2019 All Out Live Lapeer Dragway Street Car Class winner. One of the best track times was driving 129 mph in the quarter mile at 10.18 seconds.

Balkevitch is also grateful to two people who have helped him.

“Thank you to David Pemberton. I got the car and motor from him,” Balkevitch said. “Keith Domijan, he helped me troubleshoot it.”

Domijan has since died.

Balkevitch continuously works on the car to keep it in tip-top shape. He knows cars pretty well.

“My dad was a mechanic. I always helped him work on cars,” said Balkevitch, who inspects the Ventura every week. “You never know what could go loose or break.”

He takes the Ventura out every week.

“It’s a good stress reliever,” Balkevitch said. “If you have a bad day at work, you can get in your car and go for a ride.”

For more Behind the Wheel stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto.

C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties: Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon • Woodward Talk • C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.)

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Opinions expressed in this newspaper are the opinions of the individual sources and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of C & G Publishing Inc., its ownership or management. Copyright © 2023 C & G Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

Getting it right

C & G Newspapers strives for accuracy and fairness to its readers. If you think we got it wrong, please let us know. Call Gregg Demers at (586) 498-1042, email gdemers@candgnews.com or write us at 13650 11 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • NOVEMBER 1, 2023

SMART from page 6A

portation), but when the voters got the chance to vote on it, they overwhelmingly voted for it,” said David Woodward, D-Royal Oak, chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. “I think people understand that workers got to get to jobs. … After almost 30 years, to be able to get people to all corners of Oakland County is fantastic.”

The majority of the millage’s funds, 79%, are allocated to transportation services with SMART, North Oakland Transportation Authority, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, Older Persons’ Commission and People’s Express. This year, 1% went to local governments for reimbursement for transportation they provided in 2023, according to an Oakland County press release. Another 1% has paid administration costs, the release states, and the remaining 19 percent is available for future services and service access enhancements.

“I think it’s great that we’re literally moving forward on what our Oakland County Voters asked for,” said Oakland County Commissioner Ajay Raman, D-Novi. “As someone who is relatively new to utilizing the world of public transit, I found the overall experience to be very easy and user-friendly. I’m thrilled that we are taking monumental steps to finally becoming a more connected Oakland County.”

Denise Sanborn, assistant vice president and banking center manager of First Merchants Bank, 44350 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, said she loves the extension of the bus route.

“My aunts worked at Comerica downtown, and when it moved, that’s what they did — took the bus. They didn’t have driver’s licenses. They didn’t get them till they were in their 60s. So they always took the bus in Detroit and then out to Auburn Hills. So I really believe in (buses). It’s a good thing. It helps people.”

Sanborn hopes the extended route will bring an increase of traffic to the bank, and she said the nearby area has many stores offering both permanent and seasonal employment, plus services such as medical offices and restaurants.

“It’s a good destination spot to stop,” Sanborn said.

SMART Deputy General Manager Tiffany Gunter said the expansion has brought forth 68 additional bus stops. Gunter said SMART is now working on the infrastructure at the bus stops to improve the customer experience.

“We want to have the most safe and reliable service in the state, and in the nation. …

We’re excited about the changes that are here,” said Gunter.

According to a press release, SMART plans to extend fixed routes from Troy into Rochester and from Pontiac into Waterford and White Lake along M-59 in 2024, among other improvements.

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It also was announced that a three-year extension between Arts, Beats and Eats and Royal Oak was signed to keep the event in the city through 2027.

“It’s a perfect host city. The parking is there, very good law enforcement and public services that really take the time to plan. There’s a record of no major incidents in our history of the festival overall, especially recently in Royal Oak, and in this day and age, it’s a track record to be proud of,” he said. (There’s a) very eclectic backdrop of storefronts and bars and restaurants that interact with the festival, especially with the downtown dollars program from the Royal Oak (Downtown Development Authority), and I couldn’t think of a better venue where you can host art, music, and food and culture that fits better than Royal Oak.” Royal Oak-based charities will be receiving $130,221.63, bringing the total amount donated to city organizations since 2010 to $1.38 million.

Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier said the festival has brought great economic help to the community and put Royal Oak on the map for many people who hadn’t visited the city.

“It’s really had a lot of benefit to our community, but the philanthropic part of it is really what I get passionate about,” he said. “We’re grateful that people spend their Labor Day weekend with us here in Royal Oak.” Royal Oak charities and organizations that received funding from this year’s festival include Stagecrafters, Royal Oak High School, the local YMCA, the Royal Oak Civic Foundation, First United Methodist Church, the Royal Oak Historical Society and the Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra.

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

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