BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — At 10:15 a.m. Feb. 9, Southfield Police Department officers
LOCAL MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER FOLLOWING SHOOTING AT SOUTHFIELD APARTMENT COMPLEX
were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 25000 block of Shiawassee Street after receiving a 911 call that reported there was an unresponsive woman laying face down in the snow.
The caller told dispatchers that a woman had been shot, and a complexioned man ran from the scene and got into a bluish-gray vehicle before driving away. It was later determined that the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
belonged to the victim, who was identified as Jamal Broom, a 29-year-old transgender sex worker from Cleveland, Ohio, who was known as Tahiry.
Southfield, Lathrup Village residents to show cars at Detroit Autorama
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD/LATHRUP VILLAGE — The 72nd Detroit Autorama is vrooming into the motor city Feb. 28-March 2 at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., with hot rods ranging from the Megamorph giant transforming robot car to the Barbie Cadillac convertible.
From watching their fathers work on cars to racing them as teenagers, Mike Marmorstein and Ernest Morrison Jr. have cultivated a lifelong passion for classic hot rods, and both will be among a number of Southfield and Lathrup Village residents showing their classic cars at this year’s Autorama.
Marmorstein will show his lime 1932 Ford five-window coupe, and Morrison will show his green 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle.
See AUTORAMA on page 12A
Mike Marmorstein is pictured with his 1932 Ford five-window coupe, a car that he began to long for when he saw it in “American Graffiti” when he was a teenager.
See CHARGED on page 14A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
After 14 years in the tax business, Brian Harvey of Tax Source Group in Southfield has learned one crucial lesson: nobody wants to be assessed with late fees, interest fees or penalties on annual or quarterly income taxes.
“When late fees accumulate, many people have the tendency to not file at all.” Harvey explained. “As though its going to go away...and it’s not. Thirty to Thirty Five percent of my clients file late. But it doesn’t need to happen. We send information to all of our clients in advance to help them avoid being late when tax time comes.”
The Tax Source Group guides their customers, throughout, to become individuals that achieve tax completion. The specter of Interest and penalties start after April 15 every year. But helping individuals and businesses avoid late fees is just one aspect of a much more important annual tax planning strategy.
Tax planning is forecasting what your tax is going to be at the end of year or by The Second Quarter of the current year for business owners.
“Tax planning as a business owner puts you in the driving seat. Therefore, when you are planning in advance it gives you the time to make adjustments if needed.” Harvey added. “Most often, my clients just bring
in their tax information and they haven’t even looked through the paperwork, let alone, having planned for their tax outcome in advance.”
The Tax Source Group helps you to avoid the sticker shock of owing taxes. If one has not planned properly, then most likely they have not set up to pay quarterly taxes correctly. “It’s always best to understand what the tax outcome will be in advance and navigate a manageable gain or loss accordingly.” said Harvey.
“The whole goal is to lower your tax obligation.” Harvey continued. As Tax Strategists, Harvey and his team of professional tax preparers are dedicated to providing every tax advantage that a C.P.A. provides right here in Southfield.
Fifty percent of Tax Source Groups current clients are Business owners and Fifty percent Individual Tax preparation. This increase varies greatly from their first year’s in Southfield in 2020 when Business taxes was about 5-10% of their clients.
Harvey has significantly increased the amount of his business (1040) clients over the last 5 years by simply communicating the value of why The Tax Source Group
helps them stay profitable.
The group o ers a detailed tax plan that not only prepares taxes, but also guides and nurtures the bottom line of one’s entire operation. Every business needs a checkup to make sure that their operation is working e iciently. Most businesses are not profitable. So, after observing, T.S.G. takes a deep dive in to your expenses helping to eliminate unnecessary spending and consolidate to “shave the fat and achieve a better outcome”, Harvey counsels.
Keeping clients aware of what’s happening in realtime in the ever-changing tax environment keeps The Tax Source Group relevant to their customers. Providing ongoing education separates Harvey’s business from the sea of tax preparers and helps businesses forecast their best next steps.
“When we create a healthy business relationship with our customers, both parties can expect excellence.” Harvey concluded.
Comprehensive on-site services include business and personal tax preparation, corporate Taxes, selfemployment tax, business start-ups, business planning, wills, trusts, notary, tax resolution, bankruptcy, credit repair, credit monitoring and tra ic ticket consultation. Contact Brian Harvey and his team today for any tax or business consultation. Tax Source Group Inc. is located at 19955 West Twelve Mile Rd. at Evergreen Rd in Southfield, MI 48034. Call toll free 844-272-2344 or visit: www. taxsourcegroup.com.
Southfield Citizen’s Police Academy returns
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — “My mom served as an officer with the Southfield Police Department for 29 years. Because of that, I always had a deep respect for police work, but I realized there was so much I didn’t fully understand about what officers experience daily.”
As the daughter of Kelly Buckberry, an officer with the Southfield Police Department, Paige Buckberry said she’s always had a strong connection to law enforcement.
“When I heard about the Citizen’s Police Academy, I saw it as a great opportunity to get an inside look at the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement,” Paige Buckberry said.
Buckberry completed the free nine-week Citizen’s Police Academy last June. The academy allows participants to engage with officers, learn about police procedures, and gain insight into the challenges and responsibilities of modern policing through hands-on demonstrations, discussions on community policing, crime prevention strategies and more.
See ACADEMY on page 7A Michigan native plants are beneficial for welcoming pollinators and aiding with water retention.
From front to back, the plants featured are Virginia mountain mint, dense blazing star and obedient plant.
Local nature group presents native plant talk
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
LATHRUP VILLAGE — The Lathrup Village Nature Group is inviting residents to attend “Native Plants for the Garden,” a talk by Adam Huttenstine and Reed Boskey from Michiganense Natives, a nursery in Plymouth.
The event is set to take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 27 in the community room at Lathrup Village City Hall, 27400 Southfield Road.
The discussion will highlight the benefits that native plants provide to both wildlife and gardeners.
Native plants offer food and habitat, contributing to increased species’ diversity while also presenting gardeners with a wide variety of beautiful yet low-maintenance options.
The speakers will recommend specific species that are suited for a variety of light, moisture and soil conditions, and share ideas for constructing native gardens that appear both natural and wild.
The talk will cater to both beginners and experienced gardeners and conclude with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
“We’re very proud of this being our inaugural presentation with Michiganense Natives because natives are really important to people, and so the more information they can get, the better it is. And so that’s going to be what we’re doing for the first quarter,” Nancy Perchard said.
Perchard founded the Lathrup Village Nature Group about five years ago as a Facebook page during the pandemic, which was an outlet for nature lovers in the area to
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Southfield City Councilwoman Yolanda Haynes is a proud graduate of the Southfield Citizen’s Police Academy.
Photo provided by Adam Huttenstine
See PLANT on page 6A
NEWS & NOTES
Oakland
County Veterans Resource Fair coming to Southfield
SOUTHFIELD — The Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair will be held from 9 a.m.-noon March13 in the Southfield Municipal Center, 26000 Evergreen Road. The free event will offer a variety of services for veterans, active duty personnel, and reservists and their families, with representatives on-site to assist and inform the community. Some of the resources available at the fair include free food boxes, claims assistance for veteran benefits, and resources for individuals seeking employment and those facing housing challenges.
Free dental appointments for eligible individuals and free gun locks are also set to be part of the fair.
For more information, contact Tyrone Jordan by email at JordanT@oakgov.com or call (248) 2858016.
Southfield Parks and Recreation to host Winter Fest
SOUTHFIELD — The Southfield Parks & Recreation Department will host Winter Fest from 2–4:30 p.m. March 9 at the Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road.
Winter Fest is a family-friendly event with ice skating, a rock climbing wall, horse-drawn carriage rides and marshmallow roasting. Oakland County Parks naturalists will also be on-site with nature crafts. The Southfield Police Department and Southfield Public Library will also be joining in on the fun with community resources and giveaways.
Admission is $4 for Southfield residents and $5 for nonresidents. Pre-registration can be completed by visiting the Parks and Recreation Department or by calling (248) 796-4620.
Southfield resident recognized with ‘Black Excellence Award’
SOUTHFIELD — Southfield resident Jamar Bray was one of the three Oakland County residents recognized for their dedication to their communities with the Fourth Annual Black Excellence Award on Feb. 11.
Bray was honored for his work in ensuring that underprivileged youth have comfortable pajamas to keep warm during the holiday season through his nonprofit Jamar’s Jammies. Since 2018, he has collected hundreds of pajamas each year, partnering with homeless shelters across Michigan. Bray is also a small business consultant for Oakland Thrive, working with local businesses to improve their operations and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
The other 2025 Black Excellence Award winners included Troy resident Camilla Rice, who created a thriving skin care business after struggling to find over-thecounter products to ease her son’s painful eczema, and Pontiac resident Dustin McClellan, the founder and CEO of the Pontiac Community Foundation, where he has utilized more than $10 million in investments to benefit the city. His work with The Power Company Kids Club has also impacted more than 1,600 children each week through leadership and character development programs.
The Annual Black Excellence Awards recognize individuals with significant achievements and their efforts to enhance their communities. The public-nominated submissions are reviewed by a panel of commissioners.
Each award recipient received a commemorative keepsake, and their names were added to a plaque that lists all award recipients since the inaugural 2022 Black Excellence Award.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit OakGov.com/BOGriemel’s (248) 858-0100.
Compiled by Kathryn Pentiuk
Plant
share everything from gardening tips and tricks to deer and animal photos.
She explained that as COVID-19 restrictions lifted and people became more comfortable with in-person gatherings, she talked to some of the 275 members about doing a garden tour.
“Two years ago, we did the Lathrup Village Garden Tour, and it was a tremendous success. We were very, very, very proud of it. And then last year, we did the Home and Garden Awards, where we went around and we selected houses that were just absolutely outstanding,” Perchard said.
According to her, since going live, the group has been well-received by the community.
“We called it ‘Rock the Village’ and gave them signs to put in the front of their house and talked about them, and it made a lot of people very, very happy,” Perchard said.
She added that the upcoming talk is part of the group’s goal to do quarterly events that engage and educate the community in all things nature.
She shared that the group also cares for a few gardens throughout the city, including some pocket gardens in the city, like the Veterans Grove and the Prairie Garden. In addition, the group helps with beautification efforts, such as helping the Downtown Development Authority Beautification Committee plant flowers and baskets along Southfield Road.
Perchard shared some thoughts about Boskey presenting to the group.
“He’s on the Lathrup Village Nature Group Planning Committee (and) he’s been a tremendous asset,” Perchard said. “This is his company, Michiganense Natives, that is going to be doing this native plant presentation. We’re super excited about it.”
Boskey said that he is also excited to be part of the group.
“I guess I’ve just sort of organically gotten involved in a lot of things around the city because of my interest in native plants.,” Boskey said.
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Boskey described himself as a newer member of the Lathrup Village Nature Group. He joined after meeting Perchard through the Lathrup Village Tree Committee, and she encouraged him to get more involved with the group.
Boskey shared that the Michiganense Natives nursery opened last year. The nursery’s name comes from the Michigan Lily, lilium michiganense. Boskey handles the garden installs and maintenance side of things, whereas Huttenstine focuses more on the nursery side of operations.
When Boskey moved to Lathrup Village about five years ago, he was excited about the possibilities that longterm gardening in his new space would bring.
He quickly became passionate about planting native species after he and his wife established a pollinator strip. The strip soon attracted a variety of buzzing creatures, and from that point on, he focused on finding ways to better support the pollinators in his garden, which led him to native planting.
He explained that his garden started as a “small vision
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Academy
As a graduate of the program, she found the experience to be “eye-opening, engaging and incredibly valuable.”
She explained that it felt like the Citizen’s Police Academy gave her a deeper understanding of what police work entails and a greater appreciation for the field. Buckberry added that one of the most impactful sessions for her was the scenario-based training.
“It really put me in an officer’s shoes and showed how quickly they have to make critical decisions under pressure,” she said.
Timothy Simon, an officer with the Southfield Police Department, was one of 20 officers who aided in the course instruction. He echoed Buckberry’s sentiments.
“I think the most valuable aspect of the Citizen’s Police Academy is that it provides an opportunity for people to put themselves in the boots of a police officer and it reinforces the humanization of the badge,” Simon said.
Simon works with the Community Policing Team to oversee the class, set up the academy, and schedule guest speakers for the program.
He explained that the Citizen’s Police Academy was offered several times pre-COVID during the spring. Since the pandemic, this year’s class will be the second offering of the program, which has seen between 6575 applicants complete the program since its inception.
shocked to see the day-to-day tasks of a police officer and the type of calls they respond to.
“Many now act as advocates for the Police Department and point others to the right contacts when anyone has questions regarding police or police operations,” Simon said. “My favorite part of the program is seeing perceptions changed and getting to show individuals why we do what we do.”
He explained that the type of content covered in the program includes use of force, dispatch operations, investigations operations, mock traffic stops, K-9 demonstrations, SWAT demonstrations, processing a mock crime scene, first aid, drone demonstrations, live fire scenario training and more.
Simon’s favorite course is live-fire scenarios. He finds it fascinating to observe how citizens react in life-or-death situations when they must decide whether or not to use deadly force. For Simon, it is interesting to hear the reasons behind their choices.
Southfield City Councilwoman Yolanda Haynes is a proud graduate of the Southfield Citizen’s Police Academy and often encourages her neighbors and friends to enroll in the program. Haynes completed the program in 2019 under former Southfield Police Department Chief Eric Hawkins, shortly before Elvin Barren became the chief.
Haynes said that she liked the program so much that she asked Barren if she could enroll again. She said that the graduates meet monthly, either by Zoom or in person, and host various speakers.
Simon said the feedback from the program has been positive, with academy graduates expressing their gratitude for the program and a newfound understanding of police work. He added that many are
Recently, she said, a former member of the Tuskegee Airmen shared his experiences with the group.
For her, one of the biggest takeaways
from page 3A See ACADEMY on page 9A
Gary Warr, D.D.S.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
8A/ SOUTHFIELD SUN • FEBRUARY 20, 2025
FEB. 20-22
‘Exit Laughing’: Show about three women who “borrow” ashes from funeral home to give deceased friend one final — and unexpectedly wild — time out with the girls, 8 p.m., Farmington Players Barn, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, (248) 553-2955, farmingtonplayers.org
FEB. 21
The Secret Society of Twisted Story Tellers: Part of Southfield’s Black History Month celebration, hosted by Satori Shakoor and featuring inspiring stories from Clint Walker, Bernedette Atuane and Robert Cooper, meet-and-geet at 6 p.m. and performances from 7-9 p.m., Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, bit. ly/SfldBHM2025
FEB. 22
Open mic: Part of Southfield’s Black History Month celebration, perform or listen to original spoken word, also food, vendors, music and more, 1-4 p.m., Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, register by Feb. 17 (walk-ins allowed if time permits), (248) 796-4200, southfieldlibrary.org
FEB. 23
Black History Month movie: Watch “Shirley” (2024) starring Regina King as Shirley Chisholm (first Black congresswoman and first Black woman to run for U.S. president), free and refreshments provided, 3 p.m., Southfield Parks & Recreation, 26000 Evergreen Road, cityofsouthfield.com
FEB. 27
Native plants in gardens: Presentation by nursery Michiganense Natives and hosted by Lathrup Village Nature Group, also Q&A, learn about benefits to gardeners and wildlife, plus get free seeds with event ticket purchase, 7-9 p.m., Lathrup Village City Hall, 27400 Southfield Road, 1800sherm@comcast.net
FEB. 28
‘Conquering Financial Abuse in Seniors’: Free workshop about recognizing scams and how to protect others, hosted by Gesher Human Services, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 29699 Southfield Road, free but regsitration
required, (248) 233-4422, lcunningham@geshermi. org, geshermi.org/events, one-on-one counseling also available, (248) 233-4299, financialhelp@geshermi. org
FEB. 28-MARCH 2
Detroit Autorama: 72nd annual event includes more than 800 customs, trucks and motorcycles, Megamorph Transforming Robot Car, Barbie Pink Cadillac Convertible, appearances by Danny Koker and Kevin Mack from “Counting Cars,” Miss Autorama Pinup Girl contest, and more, noon-10 p.m. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. March 1 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 2, Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. in Detroit, autorama. com, read about local gearheads at candgnews.com/ news/auto
MARCH
2
Refugee services and resettlement: Learn about help provided by Samaritas and current situation for refugees, presentation during and after morning worship at 10:30 a.m., Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 23425 Lahser Road in Southfield, (248) 357-1848
MARCH
6
Michigan Liquor Control Commission public hearing: Government and enforcement officials, licensees and others can make complaints and offer views with respect to administration of MLCC Code and Rules, 11 a.m., Southfield Office of the Commission, 25680 W. Eight Mile Road, also via teleconference call at (877) 336-1831 (enter 2170409 when prompted), michigan.gov/lcc
MARCH 13
Veterans Resource Fair: Find information about benefits, careers and training, housing, healthcare, suicide prevention, recreation opportunities, transportation assistance, and more, also free food boxes, 9 a.m.-noon, Southfield Municipal Center, 26000 Evergreen Road, free but registration required, tinyurl. com/4ecdnh7d
ONGOING
‘Convergence: Where Mastery Meets Vision’: Exhibit featuring nine artists, on display 8 a.m.-5
& G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
Editor: Mark Vest | (586) 498-1052 | mvest@candgnews.com
Reporter: Kathryn Pentiuk| (586) 498-1070 | kpentiuk@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
retail ad rates: Mark Reitenga | (586) 498-1050 | mreitenga@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com
Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
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.
p.m. through April 30, Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road, (248) 796-5100, facebook.com/ southfieldpublicartscommission
Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village: Meets 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday, Mars Corporate Center, 2500 Telegraph Road in Southfield, and every fourth Tuesday virtually, slvoptimist@gmail.com, southfield-lathrupvillageoptimists.org
Real estate exam study group: Free classes 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, (734) 644-3947
Jazzy Mondays: Ballroom and hustle lessons, dinner buffet, bid whist and spades, 50-50, and more, 5-9
p.m. Mondays (except holidays), Bell Events Studio, 24624 W. 10 Mile Road in Southfield, (313) 3785825, belleventsstudiollc@gmail, belleventsstudio. com
‘The Underground Railroad in Oakland County’: Traveling exhibit on display through February, also separate exhibit “A Tangled Web: Stories About African Americans in 19th Century Royal Oak” on site through May, Royal Oak Historical Society and Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, curator@royaloakhistoricalsociety. org, (248) 439-1501, royaloakhistoricalsociety.org
Ice skating: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, free but donations encouraged, facebook.com/rileyparkicerink
PUBLISHED LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS & SITE PLAN REVIEWS PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF SOUTHFIELD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6:30 P.M., Local Time, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfeld, Michigan, at which time and place the Southfeld Planning Commission will consider the following requests pursuant to Title V, Zoning and Planning, Chapter 45, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Southfeld, to wit:
PCZR25-0001 (CONDITIONAL REZONING – PUBLIC HEARING) is a request of Ali Merhi, IMI Ventures, to conditionally rezone a vacant parcel at 24412 Southfeld Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-25-151-020) from OS Offce Service to B-3 General Business.
PSP24-0011 (REVISED SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a request of Ali Merhi, IMI Ventures, to construct and operate a new oil change business at 24412 Southfeld Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-25-151-020).
PSP25-0001 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a Site Plan Review request of RYCACO Development LLC, to permit construction of a new building for an operation that is a combination of permitted uses (private club & restaurant) and special uses (smoking lounge and bar/lounge) at 29410 Northwestern Highway, City of Southfeld, Michigan (Sidwell Parcels 24-07-326-009).
PZR25-0001 (REZONING – PUBLIC HEARING) is a request of Virgo Commercial Properties LLC, to rezone the parcel at 21375 Telegraph Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-32-400-028) from ODD (PZRODD22-0005) back to I-1 Industrial.
PCZR25-0002 (REZONING – PUBLIC HEARING) is a request of the GHG Detroit LLC, to conditionally rezone the parcel at 27600 Northwestern Highway, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-17-426-012) from RMU Multiple Family High Rise to RS Regional Shopping.
PZRODD25-0001 (OVERLAY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REZONING – PUBLIC HEARING) is a request of Henry Yandt Construction and The New Foster Care, to rezone the property to ODD Overlay Development District to permit renovation and reuse of the property at 16400 JL Hudson Drive, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-36-177-001) to permit mixed-use including apartments and support services for The New Foster Care along with commercial and offce uses.
Written comments may be mailed to the Planning Department, 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfeld, MI 480372055, prior to the meeting.
Questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Planning Department at (248) 796-4150 or tpaison@cityofsouthfeld.com
JANET JACKSON – CITY CLERK
Academy
from the program was increased awareness and learning to always be alert to what is happening around her.
Haynes reminisced about one of her first jobs, which was working in a police station as a teenager.
She explained that exposure to police work at a young age taught her about integrity and gave her respect for law enforcement.
She emphasized that it wasn’t until she was an adult that she realized that some people don’t have the same warm feelings toward police, and understandably so, she added.
“Some people are in opposition to them because of what has happened to them,” Haynes said. “So we don’t want to ignore that and you don’t want people to think that it’s all just rose glasses and beautiful pictures about things.”
Haynes praised how approachable Barren is and how receptive to community feedback the Southfield Police Department is.
“We are at the height of our game right now with the leadership that we do have,
and the Citizen’s Academy helped to build a relationship between the citizens and the Police Department,” she said. “Community engagement is big … and any community that does it will be better for it.”
Haynes shared how much it meant to her that Buckberry and Simon attended a picnic at her church and engaged in a water balloon fight with the children.
“Community policing is the key to building the best relationship between police and the community, and having the right officers to do that is very important,” Haynes said.
Due to the content of the program, applicants must be at least 18 years old to enroll.
This year’s program will be offered every Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m., starting on March 18, with a graduation ceremony to be held May 20 at 6 p.m.
Applications are available at the front desk of the Southfield Police Department, located at 26000 Evergreen Road. The applications are due by March 1.
For more information, contact the Southfield Community Policing Unit at (248) 796-5400.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
Receive study medications and office visits at no cost
• Health Insurance is not required
• Receive compensation for time and travel
You may qualify if you are:
• Ages 18 and older
• Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes
• Not yet on a medication for weight loss
SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Local women in business offer insight into success, struggles
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
According to a report from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy citing business ownership statistics for 2024, more than 12 million small businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, with a total of $2.1 trillion in sales.
The metro Detroit area is home to a wide variety of womenowned businesses offering a diverse array of merchandise and services.
At the request of C & G Newspapers, a group of owners recently reflected on their achievements and stresses and also provided insight for other potential entrepreneurs.
Follow the dream
Terri Cooper owns the Village Boutique at 6457 Inkster Road, which was recently moved from its previous location in
See WOMEN on page 13A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Terri Cooper owns the Village Boutique which was recently moved from its previous location in Franklin to Bloomfield Hills. “I walked into a little shop in Franklin to return something my sister had bought me, and I looked around and I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love to have this,’ and I somehow got around to asking the nice ladies who owned it if they were interested in selling, and they were, eventually,” Cooper said.
Bowers Realty & Investments: Empowering Women to Succeed
Darralyn Bowers, president and co-founder of Bowers Realty & Investments, has witnessed signi cant changes in real estate over the last six decades—especially in the role of women in the industry.
“Women dominate residential real estate today because they see through the eyes of the buyer, who is typically the female head of household and the decision maker in the family,” Darralyn said. “Women are good at tapping into emotions, which is important in real estate because emotions o en outweigh logic in purchase decisions.” is is increasingly important, she explained, because “the largest segment of the market are female head of households buying properties.”
Committed to advancing women in her eld, Darralyn emphasizes the importance of overcoming industry barriers. “ e biggest challenge is still the glass ceiling,” she said. “Women can sell houses, but when it comes to administrative roles or more lucrative branches such as commercial real estate, for example, there are still challenges.”
day’s real estate professionals have tools that allow them to work from anywhere,” she said. “ is exibility is crucial for managing a demanding career along with personal responsibilities, which is a balancing act that is especially common among women.”
Darralyn and her team have also developed innovative ways to engage and educate the community about real estate opportunities. Her brokerage hosts monthly “Brunch with Bowers” events on Saturdays, where attendees learn about programs that are available to them.
Darralyn trains Realtors in all aspects of the business, encouraging them to aim high. “I’m an old-school teacher and I train my people at every opportunity because if they’re pro cient they do a good job and they don’t make mistakes,” she said.
For women just starting out in real estate, Darralyn o ered this advice: “Seek a brokerage that supports your growth and learning. Don’t go to a rm that basically says, ‘Here’s a desk, here’s a phone,’ if you want to learn.”
She also mentors her team on work-life balance. “To-
“ ere are lots of programs to stimulate homeownership, but it’s up to us as Realtors to be conscientious enough to take that information to the public because you don’t see banks promoting them,” she explained. Informing the community about these opportunities has turned about 60 percent of Brunch with Bowers’ attendees into home buyers. “One success story is a 61-yearold nurse who recently purchased her rst home,” Darralyn said. “She could have bought a home years ago, but she was unaware that she quali ed for bank programs that would cover her closing costs and provide down-payment assistance.”
Re ecting on what she enjoys most about her work, Darralyn didn’t hesitate: “Everything! Finding your niche and falling in love with it is key. I consider myself blessed to have a job that changes my customers’ lives and mine.”
Bowers Realty & Investments is located at 17277 W. 10 Mile Road in South eld. To schedule a consultation or for more information, call (248) 557-1200 or visit bowers-realty.com.
Longtime friends and experienced hairdressers Dianna and Kelly recognized an unmet need in their community and created Parlor 313, a welcoming workspace designed speci cally for beauty professionals.
“Both of us being hairdressers, we understood what was lacking in our community—a space truly made for beauty professionals,” Kelly shared.
Unlike typical rental spaces that o er minimal facilities, Parlor 313 provides fully equipped suites with essential utilities and high-quality lighting—a rare nd in the area.
“We saw too many places that were bare bones, with no water source, no furniture— basically just a square box where tenants have to fend for themselves,” Dianna explained. “Our place was intentionally designed by experienced hairdressers with over 20 years in the industry. Everything is set up for you; you can just walk in and start working.”
Rede ning Workspace for Beauty Professionals
Parlor 313’s turnkey suites are fully furnished with shampoo bowls and water in every room.
ey also feature specialty lighting that mimics natural light, which is crucial for stylists striving to achieve optimal color in their work. Additionally, 24/7 access, security and keyless entry ensure a safe environment for all tenants.
“Our major attraction is the security we provide, along with the freedom for our tenants to operate on their own schedule, Kelly noted.
Parlor 313 also fosters a community-oriented atmosphere where beauty professionals can collaborate and thrive together.
“It’s about building a community among the talented individuals in our space,” said Dianna.
Adding to the sense of community are an in-house laundry room with a washer and dryer, break areas where tenants can enjoy their meals and private bathrooms that eliminate the need to venture out to the restrooms in the building’s common area. eir ground oor location in the historic
Advance Building o ers convenient access to nearby restaurants, retail shops, a pharmacy and more.
“We wanted a one-stop-shop environment where our tenants and their clients could have everything at their ngertips,” Dianna added.
Parlor 313 is keen on attracting a diverse group of beauty professionals.
As women entrepreneurs, both Kelly and Dianna are not only continuing to work as hairstylists but are also paving the way for others in the industry to succeed.
“We love seeing other successful entrepreneurs and our goal was to create an atmosphere that we would also want to work in,” Kelly said. eir innovative approach to salon suites makes Parlor 313 a prime destination for stylists looking to elevate their business in a space that truly understands and supports their needs.
Parlor 313 Beauty Studios is located at 23077 Green eld Rd., Suite 104, in Southeld. To schedule a tour, visit parlor313.com. Follow @parlor313studios on Facebook, DM via Instagram.
“I
Sonny Morton (Agent/Instructor) and Darralyn Bowers (Owner/Broker)
Autorama
For Marmorstein, his wife Laura got out of his dreams and into his car when they met at Albion College. During their 41 years of marriage, the couple has driven many cars together, including a ‘68 Chevelle, a ‘65 Barracuda, a ‘66 Charger, a ‘49 Chevy delivery truck, a ‘69 Cadillac Fleetwood, and a ‘52 International Harvester pickup truck. Those are just a few examples that come to mind for Marmorstein, a member of the Twisted Axle Car Club.
“My wife, she’s always had a passion for cars, which is something that attracted her to me because I already was driving kind of a hot rod when I met her, and she said, ‘Wow, that’s really cool.’ So that was something that we had in common,” Marmorstein said.
Marmorstein’s lime 1932 Ford fivewindow coupe was purchased about 10 years ago. It was built from the ground up and completely customized by him and his wife, fulfilling a childhood dream for him.
While Marmorstein’s passion for cars began at a young age, watching his father work on a variety of cars, it wasn’t until he saw the classic film “American Graffiti” that he became enchanted by a particular car, the 1932 Ford five-window coupe.
“In 1973, I was 13 years old, and the movie American Graffiti came out,” he said. “That’s where I got the idea that someday I would own a car like that. Maybe not exactly that yellow coupe that was in the movie, but that ‘32 five-window Ford coupe. It’s an iconic-looking car. It’s got a grille shell only onto itself for the one year, and it just hit me as something, ‘You know what? I got to have that.’”
In 2015, the coupe took third place at Autorama, and since then, it has only frequented local car shows, such as the Frankenmuth Auto Fest and the Woodward Dream Cruise.
“We didn’t build it to win trophies, we built it to drive and go have fun with it,” Marmorstein said.
He added that he is excited to attend this year’s Autorama for the camaraderie and fun.
“We really love the car culture,” Marmorstein said.
Like Marmorstein, car culture has been ingrained in Morrison since he was a kid, when he watched his uncle and dad with their cars.
“My dad, he didn’t have any muscle cars, but he cherished his cars and always took care of them,” Morrison said. “My uncle had a car that he raced around the neighborhood in, and that just drew me in.”
In 1999, Morrison brought home two babies, his oldest daughter and a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle. After owning his classic car for 26 years, this year will be his first displaying it at Autorama.
“This is my first major show, Autorama, other than just going to a regular car show or going to the cruises,” Morrison said. “This is the first show I ever had my car in.”
He decided to show his car after being asked to by the Chevelle Club of Michigan, which he has been a part of for about a decade.
He has enjoyed attending Autorama as a viewer and is looking forward to showing his own vehicle.
“It’s wonderful. You get to see the other people and their cars —how they do their cars,” Morrison said. “Sometimes I go and I just look to see how they did the car —might see something I like and put it on my car or something.”
Morrison added that he loves the car community and the conversations that ensue standing around a car with a couple of guys. However, there’s one thing he doesn’t like.
“The community is great. Only thing I
don’t like about it is when they keep asking me if I want to sell it,” Morrison said.
According to him, so many people ask about about purchasing his car that he and his wife, Rochelle, can’t stop a red light without someone making him an offer.
“It’s not for sale,” Morrison said. “Unless we’re talking a ridiculous number where it’s too good to be true, I won’t part with it.”
Having a supportive spouse can make life a lot easier for a car enthusiast.
“I thank my wife, Rochelle, for understanding my love for the hobby and the things I’ve done to the car,” Morrison said. “She’s pretty understanding.”
Tickets for Autorama are $28 at the gate for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. Discount tickets are available at O’Reilly Auto Parts. For more information, visit www. autorama.com or call (248) 373-1700.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
Ernest Morrison Jr. and his wife, Rochelle, pose by his green 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, which will be shown at Autorama for the first time at the end of this month.
Women
Franklin to Bloomfield Hills. Cooper took over ownership of the business in June 2015
“I walked into a little shop in Franklin to return something my sister had bought me, and I looked around and I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love to have this,’ and I somehow got around to asking the nice ladies who owned it if they were interested in selling and they were eventually,” Cooper said.
The boutique sells different contemporary fashions, accessories and gifts for shoppers of all ages.
“When we first got it, it was in Franklin,” Cooper said. “It was maybe geared toward a slightly older crowd, much more conservative crowd, and we slowly started changing things so that it could appeal to a broader mass of people.”
“We switched it all around. It’s nothing like when the ladies had it, and they’ve been in support of our changes, too,” she added.
Lissa Pietrykowski owns Peak Physique Fitness Training at 1071 E. Long Lake Road in Troy with her husband Nick. They currently have around 140 clients.
“My husband bought Peak Physique Fitness in 2008 and then I came on board in 2014, and in June of this year I started kind of a sister business called Peak Women,” Pietrykowski said. “We’re a personal training studio only.”
The studios provide a wide range of personal training services online and in their studio space that can be open for one-on-one and shared training sessions. This includes prenatal and postpartum training, sport-specific training, corporate training, and senior training among other services with personal trainers.
“I think that women suffer from mental health (issues) as men do. However, I think sometimes women are a little bit more intimidated to go to a gym, and exercise is good for mental health in so many different ways,” Pietrykowski said. “Just getting out of the house, releasing endorphins or just accomplishing something, all those different things. But sometimes I think that when you’re in that state or even for other reasons, you just feel intimidated going to the gym.”
“Our gym is very welcoming and loving. If you were there, you would never feel (intimidated) that way. However, just getting some people to walk through the door is the first step. So I wanted to open up an opportunity for people to benefit from exercise that wouldn’t normally do something like that,” Pietrykowski added.
On top of being a nutritionist, a registered dietitian and certified Lifestyle Eating and Performance therapist, Shivani Sharma is the owner of Right Food Choice at 1380 Coolidge Hwy. in Troy.
Right Food Choice provides patients with one-on-one nutrition consultation, group coaching and nutrition-related courses.
“I had been practicing dietetics for over two decades now,” Sharma said. “I studied here in Wayne State and then I moved to Texas for some time and that’s where I started the company Right Food Choice.”
“Right Food Choice is nutrition and wellness consulting for kids and adults where we provide nutritional counseling or medical nutrition therapy for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, high cholesterol,” Sharma said. “So we serve wherever the nutritional need is, and we are a team of three dietitians right now.”
Weight management, gut health treatment, food allergies and gluten free options, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, sports nutrition, nutritional options for female-related health concerns, and meal and diet plans are among the services offered.
“We have a weight loss program running right now which is a 12-week transformation program,” Sharma said.
She said the program focuses on “improving gut health, reducing inflammation and feeding your gut microbiome good bacteria really while balancing your blood sugar, balancing your hormones, focusing on how to improve your stress and sleep and how to conquer your sugar cravings, and how to have a total behavior modification.”
“We provide ongoing coaching calls for medication, exercise, and behavior modification,” Sharma said.
Living the dream
All three women discussed their personal and professional struggles as business owners.
“I’m one of those people who prefer to work 24 hours a day and when you have your own business that’s exactly what you do,” Cooper said. “This is not my first business. I owned a cheerleading camp for 20 years and I was a teacher and a coach and a counsellor before this, so I knew what I was in for, and I make the sacrifices really happily.”
She added, “I have one son, and he is graduated from school and is off to Chicago, so I don’t have those responsibilities like I once did. I have five animals at home, so that’s the only thing, and my husband’s really helpful. So it’s a balance but it’s a really fun balance and I’m in the age group I can do this.”
Pietrykowski said running a business, and a household, is both rewarding and a lot of work.
“I think that if you don’t own a business or work for yourself that sometimes people don’t understand we work every day,” Pietrykowski said. “I train during the day. I’ve got four kids as well and then I get home, pick everybody up and make dinner, and
“I think it’s very important to have that work/family life balance but at the same time I would tell all women entrepreneurs to just don’t give up,” said Shivani Sharma, owner of Right Food Choice in Troy. “Start wherever you can and if it requires you to work only part time, don’t give up hope, don’t give up on your dreams.”
then usually sit down and work for another couple hours. Then I take one day on the weekend, work for a couple hours but I love it. It’s not necessarily a hard thing to do but it does require some sacrifice.”
Sharma said she never worked full time until she started her own business.
“This is the first time that I am like all in right now,” Sharma said. “I have two kids. I have one son who is working, and I have a daughter who will be going to college this year. So right now, I feel now is the right time for me to go full in because I personally
See WOMEN on page 16A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Charged
The vehicle was found just 400 feet away from the crime scene at the apartment complex where the suspect, 28-year-old Southfield resident Robert Louis Ridges III, lived.
Upon searching Ridge’s residence, Southfield police recovered a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun and ammunition from the suspect’s bedroom. The handgun was reported stolen out of Georgia in 2023. A test fire of the gun revealed it was the same weapon that fired the fatal gunshot to Broom’s head.
Southfield Police Department Chief Elvin Barren shared details at a press conference at the Southfield Police Department Feb. 12.
“I always consider myself a promise keeper, and I want to make sure I keep a promise to Mrs. Broom. When you look at Jamal, Jamal is a biological male, but does present as a female, and is a proud member of the transgender community,” Barren said. “And one thing I told Mrs. Broom was that in my remarks, her daughter would be referred to by the appropriate pronouns, ‘she’ and ‘her.’ But my commitment to Mrs.
Broom was that the fact that Jamal was a sex worker would not be the focus of the sequence of events, because no matter what line of work Jamal was in, this shouldn’t have happened.”
According to Barren, Ridges was in police custody just 11 hours after the violent crime after the Southfield Tactical Crime Suppression Unit and the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force identified his location.
Ridges was located at a casino in Detroit when Southfield Police Department officers apprehended him.
“We believe that he was attempting to blend back into society after committing such a heinous crime.,” Barren said.
After being interviewed by detectives from the Southfield Police Department, Ridges stated that he acted alone and made claims that he did not know that Broom was transgender. Barren said that claim is unlikely, as Ridges had made approximately 33 phone calls to various sex workers.
“Mostly, all the persons the suspect sought out were Black females, which included members of the transgender community,” Barren said.
Ridges Facetimed Broom for three minutes at 9:06 a.m., before calling five more commercial sex advertisers.
LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW 2025 ASSESSMENT ROLL
The 2025 March Board of Review shall convene on March 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 2025, for the purpose of examining, reviewing, and conducting hearings to challenge the assessments and classifcation for property on the assessment roll, as prepared by the Southfeld City Assessor. Meetings are scheduled to be held in the Municipal Building, City Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfeld, Michigan 48037-2055. The Board of Review will be in session for hearings according to the following schedule:
Monday, March 3, 2025 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Thursday, March 6, 2025 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
An owner of property in the City of Southfeld may protest their tentative 2025 assessment or classifcation before the March Board of Review. Hearings must be conducted either in person or by letter appeal. An authorized representative may appear on behalf of the property owner with a letter of authorization. The letter of authorization must be provided prior to the hearing and signed by the property owner in the current assessment year. Property owners may also appeal by letter, which must be received in the Assessor’s Offce by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Appearances before the Board of Review should be set by appointment to ensure the appropriate amount of accommodation can be made in a timely manner. Appointments can be made by calling the Assessor’s Offce at (248) 796-5230, or in person at the City of Southfeld Assessor’s Offce at 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfeld, MI 48037-2055, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ALL appeals MUST be accompanied by the State Tax Commission Form L-4035, Petition to the Board of Review. This form can be found on the City’s website under Assessing Department/Forms.
The City of Southfeld’s website address is: www.cityofsouthfeld.com.
**The deadline to schedule an appointment before the Board is 5:00 p.m., March 5, 2025** A walk-in appeal or write-in petition to the Board will then be required on March 6, 2025
Pursuant to Act 165, Public Acts of 1971, the City of Southfeld Board of Review is publishing the tentative recommended equalization ratios and estimated multipliers necessary to complete individual State Equalized Valuations of Real and Personal Property within the City of Southfeld.
At 9:16 a.m., Broom missed a call from Ridges.
She returned his call and they had a brief conversation before video footage at the apartment complex showed Broom entering the building at 10 a.m.
“At 10 a.m., the suspect received a phone call from our victim, and that would be the last phone call that our victim would make,” Barren said.
Barren said that Broom’s mother described her daughter as energetic, intelligent, and a joy to her family.
“One thing I will assure you is that Jamal was loved by not only the mother, but the entire family,” Barren said.
Ridges, who does not have a criminal history, was charged Feb. 12 by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald . Ridges was charged with second-degree
murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearm.
He was placed in the Oakland County Jail without bond.
“Every person is entitled to live without fear of violence,” McDonald stated via a press release. “Tahiry Broom had family and friends who loved her. She did not deserve to die and her killer will be brought to justice.”
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life without parole.
Ridge’s next court date is Feb. 26. At press time, Ridge’s lawyer, Victor Mansour, had not replied to an opportunity to comment.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southfield Police Department at (248)796-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, 26000 EVERGREEN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.
PRESENT: Councilmembers: Daniel Brightwell, Lloyd Crews, Yolanda C. Haynes, Charles Hicks, Coretta Houge, and Michael Ari Mandelbaum. EXCUSED: Councilmember Nancy Banks. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Kenson Siver, Administrator Fred Zorn, Clerk Janet Jackson, Attorney Dawn King, and Deputy City Administrator John Michrina.
Approve Appointment of Sarah K. Mulally to Deputy Director of Business and Economic Development
Approve Appointment of Mark S. Ragsdale to Deputy Director of Public Works
Approve Department of Mark S. Ragsdale as a Public Works City Constable
Approve Appointment to City Centre Advisory Board of Genelle Speed-Hale
Approve Reappointment to Southfeld Library Board of Bruce Collins and Thalia Maxwell
Approve Reappointment to Downtown Development Authority of Dr. Steven Craig and Greg Easterly
Approve Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2025, and the Special Meeting Minutes of January 17, 2025.
Approve Proposal for Tax and Water Bill Lockbox Services
Approve Brownfeld Plan Amendment #2 Southfeld Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative Project 2018, as SNRI Plan #3, Brownfeld Plan Multiple Addresses, Southfeld, Michigan, 48076
Approve Purchase of Four (4) Mobile OCP25 Compatible Radios for New Ambulances and Fire Prevention Vehicles
Approve Bid for Six (6) New Bullard Thermal Imaging Cameras for Fire
Approve Purchase of Farber Specialty Mobile Command Center Vehicle for the Police Department
Approve Adoption of Food Waste Elimination Study
Approve Authorization to Participate in a Implement Food Waste Elimination Study Pilot Program funded through a NextCycle Grant Received and Managed by the Make Food Not Waste Non-Proft
Approve Authorization to Restore and Improve Damaged Deck at Carpenter Lake
Approve Contract Renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for Claims Administration Services and Stop Loss Insurance
Approve Proposed Vacation of Consent Judgment - 27600 Northwestern Service Drive
Approve Utilization of Opioid Settlement Funds
Approve Amendment to Animal Ordinance
Introduce Ordinance No. 1805
Approve Proposed Ordinance Amendment: Chapter 101 Permit, Review, Inspection and Appeal Fees
Introduce Ordinance No. 1806
Approve Travel Expense Report: Charles Hicks, 2025 MML Committee Kickoff, Lansing, Michigan, January 21, 2025
Approve Adjustment of HR Director’s Vacation
The meeting adjourned at 9:15p.m.
Approved minutes are available on the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfeld.com.
Janet Jackson City Clerk
Published: Southfeld Sun 02/20/2025
Published: Southfeld Sun 02/20/2025
Ridges
Plant
that has grown so much since then.” Boskey confessed that while he isn’t much of a planner, he strives to make the wild look intentional.
“A well-designed native garden is cheaper to maintain and less work than traditional gardens,” Boskey said. “It has no need for extra water, once established, except in extreme droughts. No need for pesticides, fertilizers or soil amendments, and (it) does better with less tending.”
Boskey recommended free smartphone apps that can help with plant and animal identification, such as “iNaturalist” and “PictureThis.” For iPhone owners, there’s one built into the photos app.
He suggested that beginners interested in plating natives try an approach called “addition by subtraction.”
Boskey explained that this method means that if you have extra space, you’ll do more for wildlife and the environment if you plant new areas with natives rather than tearing up existing beds of non-natives.
For Boskey, returning to nature
by planting Michigan native plants has been a gratifying experience. He enjoys watching the life in his garden as birds perch on the compass plant, which bears a likeness to a sunflower, and seeing hummingbirds flutter around the vibrant red Royal Catchfly.
He said he would love to see his neighbors plant natives so they could create a continuous path.
“The big hope is, if everyone just planted a few species, a few native plants each, I think we could make some huge change,” Boskey said.
Admission to attend is $10 at the door. Attendees will receive a free pack of native seeds with every ticket.
For more information, contact Pam Shermeyer of the Lathrup Village Nature Group at (248) 252-7687 or via email at 1800sherm@comcast.net.
The Lathrup Village Nature Group is on Facebook under “Lathrup Village Nature Group.”
For more information on Michiganense Natives, visit www.michiganensenatives.com.
To check for a list of invasive plants, visit https://oaklandinvasivespecies.org.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
page 6A
Photo by Reed Boskey
Reed Boskey’s native plant garden began as a small vision. The garden has grown into a wild yet well-maintained and intentional design.
never worked full time before for the last 20 years.”
She said the biggest struggle she has encountered professionally is the lack of dietician credentialing in Michigan.
“Michigan is one of the only states that does not credential dieticians,” Sharma said. “So it is very hard for me to accept insurance in Michigan and because you have to pay for the service out of pocket. I think sometimes it becomes less reachable for people who just want to go through their insurance, who don’t want to pay up front.”
She said that Right Food Choice does accept Medicare, which covers nutrition counseling for diabetes and chronic kidney disease but not for weight loss.
Growing the dream
All of these local business owners are considering their goals as their work continues.
“We’re always looking to grow it,” Coo-
per said. “It was hard to grow it in such a little village like Franklin where a lot wasn’t going on, so we’re just looking to grow it as much as we can, and I think our customers are hoping to help us in that process.”
“Our goal right now is to make Peak Women have its own space near Peak Physique and have that running separately,” Pietrykowski said. “We also are hoping, longterm, to be able to start our own certification process and train trainers to do our type of training.”
“I think what I see as a practice, because now we have three dietitians, I really want to be able to see more and more people who we can help change their life with food, especially diabetes and chronic kidney disease and high cholesterol because those are the things that can be easily fixed by a diet,” Sharma said. “Also (to) see if we can reach more kids and moms who are stressed out if the child cannot have gluten for some reason, if (the child) cannot have dairy, or what if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, if you need help with a high protein diet. So we would like to cater to a big area of (the) population with nutrition and the best thing is we are in house as much as we are virtual.”
CRIME WATCH
Southfield
Police Department apprehends carjacking suspect
SOUTHFIELD — A resident was sitting in his vehicle at 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the 21000 block of Negaunee Street when an unknown subject approached him with a rifle and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The resident complied. After the police were called, officers located the suspect and
Advice for other entrepreneurs
Cooper, Pietrykowski and Sharma also shared a few tips for potential entrepreneurs looking to pursue their own endeavors
“My first thing is I don’t consider myself a woman business owner. I’m just a business owner,” Cooper said. “I don’t take stock in any of that stuff. I want to be successful as anyone could be in this business and I would say if you are willing to think about it and work for it 24/7, then it’s for you. If that doesn’t appeal to you, being an entrepreneur probably isn’t your thing.
“I would say just do it, I mean absolutely give it a shot,” Pietrykowski said. “I
had this idea for a while but kind of went back and forth about even bringing it up because I was scared, I didn’t want it not to work and then it got to the point where the worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work and if it doesn’t work, that’s okay.”
“I think it’s very important to have that work/family life balance but at the same time I would tell all women entrepreneurs to just don’t give up,” Sharma said. “Start wherever you can and if it requires you to work only part time, don’t give up hope, don’t give up on your dreams.”
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
Dermy Doc Institute in Southfield celebrated their official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting event Jan. 30 at their new and remodeled office in Southfield. The owner, Dr. Fatima Fahs, MD, FAAD, welcomed the community to her brand-new dermatology office at the event. For more information about medical/cosmetic/surgical dermatology services, visit www.dermydocinstitute.com or call (248) 469-8321.
Dermy Doc Institute is located at 29592 Northwestern Highway in Southfield.
the victim’s vehicle and were able to stop the vehicle.
The suspect ran from the car with the rifle and was apprehended by police after a short pursuit.
Suspects break into school
SOUTHFIELD — At 7:09 p.m.Jan. 30, the window of a school in the 24000 block of Fredrick Street was broken into by two suspects who took food and miscellaneous kid’s items.
— Kathryn Pentiuk
Dermy Doc Institute in Southfield celebrates their official grand opening
BUSINESS CLIP
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Lissa Pietrykowski owns Peak Physique Fitness Training in Troy with her husband, Nick. They currently have around 140 clients. “My husband bought Peak Physique Fitness in 2008, and then I came on board in 2014, and in June of this year I started kind of a sister business called Peak Women,” Pietrykowski said.
Wanted
AND UP!
Special Events & Announcements
The Village of Royal Oak Senior Living
*** NOTICE OF OPEN WAIT LIST***
1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Apartments
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WHEN: 9am-4pm - Monday through Friday
Weeks of Feb. 17th-21st and Feb. 24th-28th, 2025
WHERE: Lobby - 3442 Devon Road Royal Oak, MI 48073
TELE: (248) 629-7392; FAX: (248) 556-5526
Applications must be completed & accepted during the open Wait List period to be valid Persons applying must submit application in person. At the time of application, applicants must be at least 55 years of age, bring valid photo ID, Social Security card & bring a non-refundable
$50 application fee (per person) - money order only. (No cash, credit cards or personal checks accepted ) Alternative methods of accepting applications for those with special needs will be provided by contacting the property. Applications will be processed and placed on the wait list on a first-come-first-serve basis in accordance with the current rental criteria
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THE 1960S
Plumbing
WATERWORK
ACROSS
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6. Knicks’ org.
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15. Monument to Buddha
16. Like beer at a kegger (2 words)
17. Affrmative to captain
18. Like a beaver?
19. *Che’s last name
21. *Stonewall riots location
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23. Division of time
24. West African country
25. Refuse to comply
28. *The Jackson 5 co-founder
30. *Don ____ of Barney Fife fame
35. Soon, to a bard
37. Hyperbolic tangent
39. Sunlight’s interference
40. *Apollo Moon Landing org.
41. Operatic solos
43. Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr incident
44. Deposit the ashes
46. Related to ear
47. Meat in a can
48. Transport onward, as in letter (2 words)
50. Not written
52. Pilot’s estimate, acr. 53. Ill-mannered one
55. Hawaiian welcome wreath
57. *Ford’s pony car
61. *Assassinated president
65. “____ death do us part”
66. Down Under runner
68. Hindu caste
69. Moonshine maker
70. *Spock’s was pointy
71. Comforter stuffng
72. Ruptured
73. Ground cover
74. Coach-and-four
DOWN
1. Use a cat o’ nine tails
2. Hokkaido language
3. Network of nerves
4. Mojave plant
5. Go away
6. March Madness org.
7. *____ of Pigs, failed military operation
8. Madison Square Garden, e.g.
9. Command to Fido
10. Designer Boss
11. Copycat
12. Sinister side in “Star Wars”
15. Garment-making
20. Yogurt-based dip 22. Benevolent one 24. Hall order keeper
25. *Joplin of “Summertime” fame
26. Foolish
27. Same as boatswain
29. Tropical tuber
31. Auto pioneer
32. Brownish gray
33. Something yummy
34. *Certain march starting point
36. Backgammon predecessor
38. *Place for a fower
42. Part of mermaid’s tale
45. Cricket umpire’s call (2 words)
49. Not, prefx
51. Optical devices
54. S-shaped moldings
56. Arctic people
57. Necessary thing
58. Archaic preposition
59. *Bob Marley’s hit “____ It Up”
Fresco piece
61. Kurdistan native 62. Cocoyam
63. Fortune-telling coffee remnants
64. Ready and eager
67. *Zedong of Cultural Revolution
60.
