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If you were trying to reach us Friday, June 3, we may have missed the call. Due to technical problems, the Observer & Eccentric phones were out of order at various times in the afternoon. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you ever experience difficulties reaching us by phone, please email oeads@ hometownlife.com. You can also leave us a message on facebook.

LiveGreen

The intersection of Nine Mile and Woodward Avenue will be humming with the energy of the future on July 15-17, as downtown Ferndale welcomes the second annual Live Green Fair. The event is organized into five separate sections: The Green Home Show features everything you need for your home energy

Barton Towers officials back Kroger

Barton Towers Co-op Apartments, which sits directly behind the former Fresard Buick-GMC car dealership, sent a letter to the Planning Commission expressing support of a new Kroger in the vacant lot.

BY STEVE KOWALSKI ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

ROYAL OAK — A May 26 letter addressed to the Planning Commission, and signed by the president and vice president of Barton Towers Co-op Apartments, states that a majority of the residents support a proposal to build a Kroger on Main Street. Kroger representatives are schedPlease see BARTON, A5

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Berkley grads celebrate diplomas, earn scholarships

What a doll

BY STEVE KOWALSKI ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

BERKLEY — Before 316 seniors received their high school diplomas Thursday night at Meadow Brook Theatre, Berkley Schools Superintendent Michael Simeck reminded them that grades are just a part of what will define them in postgraduate years. “You have been raised to be hard-working, smart and good to, and with, people,” Simeck said on the outdoor Baldwin Pavilion stage. “Avoid thinking you are better than others, but don’t take a back seat to anyone. When someone asks where you are from, say, ‘I’m from Berkley and (the teachers) did a great job.’ You are blessed, well prepared and capable of great things. Be humble, but aggressive, and push forth for great things.” Simeck said it is especially satisfying knowing the senior class won more than $4 million collectively in college scholarships, including $500,000 to Kalamazoo College, which accepted 100 percent of its Berkley High applicants. Simeck also congratulated the senior class for 89 percent of applicants being accepted to Michigan State University and 63 percent to the University of

and conservation. The Free Veggie Taste Fair features bites of 20 vegetarian and vegan options, as well as items for purchase. The Green Art section focuses on art made in an environmentally aware manner and incorporates images that encourage healthy green living. New this summer is the Holistic Enlightenment section, dealing with the more spiritual aspects of green living, including alternative treatments and ways to live in balance. The event also includes speakers, live music, and a children’s play area. Exhibit spaces for ecofriendly products and services are still available. Please visit: www. LiveGreenFair.com. For more information, contact Nancy Phares at (248) 486-3424 or e-mail nancyjphares@gmail. com.

Shoplocal

Register today for the Berkley Community Garage Sale and participate in one of what Berkley officials call the most popular events of the year. The sale is set for June 25-26. Residents who sign up will have their name and address listed on the city’s garage sale map, which will be available at the Community Center on Robina, west of Coolidge, and on the city website. Not a Berkley resident? No problem. You can rent a table at the at the Community Center for $25; or $30 if electricity is needed. If you would like to have the sale at your house and are a new participant, the cost is $20 which includes publicity and a specialized Berkley Garage Sale yard sign. If you are a returning participant and still have your yard sign, cost is just $10. Many visitors will be in town the Berkley Dad’s Club Baseball Tournament, so officials are predicting that this will be the perfect time to sell those treasures. For more information, contact the Community Center at (248) 6583470 or e-mail parksrecreation@ berkleymich.net

PHOTO BY DAVID REED

Rose Aho, of Royal Oak, brought daughter Ella Aho, 3, to the Royal Oak Memorial Day parade. Dressed in patriotic hair ribbons, Ella brought someone with her as well, a favorite doll. For more photos and the story, see page A4.

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Members of the Berkley High School Class of 2011 focus on the stage at their commencement.

For more photos, turn to Page A14. Michigan. Giving the valedictory address was valedictorian Elizabeth Rose Lyons, who was introduced by her counselor for four years, Lori Bullis. Bullis said Lyons, also known as “Lizzy,” graduated with a 4.492 grade point average, earning college credits since her sophomore year and also ranking as a National Merit finalist. Lyons had full-ride academic scholarship offers to attend Harvard, Yale, Duke, Dartmouth, Tulane, Baylor and Rice, according to Bullis. She is

“Baylor bound,” according to Bullis, adding that the college credits she’s already earned will gain her junior status academically when she arrives on the Dallas, Texas, campus this fall. Despite all those academic accomplishments, Bullis said what sets Lyons apart is the way she treats others, including the 27 foster brothers and sisters her parents have helped raise. “‘Lizzy’ is defined not by her grade point average but by doing what is right and good,” Bullis said. Lyons, in her speech, said some of the 2011 graduates have known each other since preschool. She Please see BERKLEY, A14

Vietnam Memorial to make visit to Clawson BY STEVE KOWALSKI ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

CLAWSON — When Tim Burns describes the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial as “moving,” he’s referring to its status as never staying in one place for too long. That may also best describe the emotions evoked when seeing the names of more than 2,600 Michigan veterans who died in Vietnam, including five from Clawson, on the memorial up close. “It’s a ‘moving’ wall, with five panels to it, just like the one in Washington D.C., only it’s strictly for Michigan (military killed in Vietnam),” said Burns, a

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68-year-old Clawson resident and U.S. Air Force veteran. “I wanted to bring to the attention of folks around here, show them, No. 1, that this is part of history. I just thought it was a nice little thing to do, not a big splash.” Burns (no relation to the former county commissioner of the same name) said he heard about the Vietnam memorial from a friend. At the time of the referral, the memorial was visiting the Caseville Historical Museum, on loan from the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Post 154 in Roseville, where it originates. From there it went to Flushing, where Burns Please see VIETNAM, A9

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LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

online at hometownlife.com

Art Bash expands artists at Saturday festival

BERKLEY - More than 100 artists, authors and cottage food creators will fill four blocks on 12 Mile Road in the downtown area when the Berkley Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Berkley Art Bash, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 11. Art and music lovers looking to add a little color to their weekend will find a diverse assortment of photographs, garden art, jewelry, pottery, wearables, paintings, edibles, live music and more during the event. “This year we have a record

number of 110 artists,” said show director, April McCrumb. “It wasn’t that long ago when the Art Bash only had 50 participating artists, so we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to grow the event size and attendance each year.” Much of the success comes from the diverse collection of affordable art wares from local artists like Susan Scherer of Lathrup Village, who creates hip necklaces from discarded wrist watch parts, and Berkley Art Bash veteran, Barb Witt of Roseville, who transforms fun

fabric into fabulous and functional handbags. In addition to art, there will also be local authors and cottage food creators making their debut this year. “There is so much entrepreneurial energy in Metro Detroit, it only made sense to expand our offerings this year,” McCrumb said. Fair goers will be able to sip samples of exotic teas created by Pavan Chandra of West Bloomfield, and taste tempting toffee made by Heidi Paterson of Rochester. And author Rachel

Longhurst of Milford will even be bringing her yellow lab, Corey, who is the star of her book, Where My Story Begins. The stage will also be buzzing with live music from Mod Orange performing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the Company of Strangers performing from 1 – 3 p.m., with Linda’s Danceworks strutting their stuff from 3–3:30 p.m. and Motor Honey wrapping up the day from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Kids will be sure to have a grand time with an inflatable slide and moon bouncer, sandy candy, spin art and the Berkley

Fire Truck. There will also be a student area where creative kids ages 8-18 will be selling their art wares. Culinary creations abound with classic corn dogs, burgers, pizza, fresh squeezed lemonade, elephant ears, roasted almonds, homemade whoopee pies and the ever popular kettle corn. Twelve Mile will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Tyler and Wakefield Streets. Attendees will enjoy strolling and shopping through Berkley’s family-friendly, charming downtown district.

The Berkley Art Bash is presented by the Berkley Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is still seeking volunteers to help with Art Bash. A list of volunteer opportunities follows. Contact the chamber at (248) 414-9157 to volunteer. 7 – 9 a.m.: assist with set-up; 1 – 6 p.m.: assist in Chamber tent selling tickets and water 4– 7 p.m.: assist with tear down: removal of signs from Woodward, tearing down tent, stacking chairs, counting money.

Glass blowing, art project to highlight Royal Oak festival

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ROYAL OAK – The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce will heat up Washington Avenue with the 17th Annual Clay, Glass & Metal Show on Saturday and Sunday, June 1112. Art and music will be in the spotlight with a record number of juried artists and performers from the Detroit School of Rock & Pop warming up downtown Royal Oak. Jewelry, gifts, decorative art, pottery and architectural pieces from 140 artists will be available for visitors’ shopping pleasure. Artists’ tents will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, kids express their own artistic side at the Creative Arts Studio tent, located at Seventh and Washington Avenue. The Community Mosaic Project also returns to the spotlight, with visitors invited to stop by the Mosaic Tent at Sixth and Washington to help create the next stage of panels. Participating artists will again bring in scrap materials, which will then be re-purposed into a vine and floral mosaic assembled by the Royal Oak community. Once completed, the panels will join the first two, created at the 2010 event, already on display in the Children’s Area of the Royal Oak Public Library. According to Shelly Kemp, executive director of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, the event has evolved over the years and is now united by a central concept. “All the art featured at the show is manipulated by heat and comes from the earth. Fire and heat make this event unique among art

Vistors to the Clay, Glass and Metal event last year found art in all media types to admire and buy. shows as all the art on display is created through this one earth element.” “As a special treat to celebrate the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary and tie into the overall theme, we are bringing in a glass blowing display,” Kemp added. Attendees interested in experiencing the combination of fire and earth first-hand can stop by the display, located at Fourth and Washington. Art isn’t only for the eyes, it’s for the ears, too. Event attendees can recharge and rock out

on Seventh Street as the Detroit School of Rock & Pop spotlights local performers on the Detroit Zoo’s Showmobile throughout the day. Music runs the same hours as the event this year. Sponsors for this year’s event include American Laser Centers, Ace & Sons Insulation, Creative Arts Studio, C & G Newspapers, the Detroit Zoological Society, the Detroit School of Rock & Pop, EA Schensky, Emagine Theaters & Star Lanes, Galloway & Collens, Health Source Chiropractic,

Holiday Market, M-1 Studios, New York Times, Progressive Chiropractic, Renewal by Anderson, Signs by Tomorrow and Stagecrafters. Made up of more than 500 members, the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, www. royaloakchamber.com, is a business organization dedicated to bringing business people, civic groups, local government and citizens together to advance the economic, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the community.

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Area lawmakers part of Ferndale foundation seeks new bi-partisan caucus grant requests for 2011 Coalitions (MAC) as well as experts in regional data, economics and development including Data Driven Detroit, Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute and the Brookings Institution. The regional economic growth strategy published in August 2010 by SEMCOG and MAC was an important source of data and overlapped with the priorities of many Caucus members. “It’s inspiring to see a group of state lawmakers organize themselves to work on behalf of the region,” said SEMCOG Executive Director Paul Tait. “Leadership of this kind from state officials will be critical to executing strategies for building a vibrant economy in Southeast Michigan.” The caucus held its first regional forum on May 13 at Wayne State University with 70 participants including state lawmakers and board members and leaders from the Detroit Regional Chamber, SEMCOG, and MAC with the Center for Michigan providing facilitation. Through keypad voting and break-out groups, participants in the forum helped the caucus build and refine its priorities. “The business community knows that our economy is regional and that we must have government leaders who can see past turf and party politics and work together to make Southeast Michigan globally competitive in the 21st century,” said Detroit Regional Chamber President & CEO Sandy K. Baruah.

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both parties in the state Senate and the House. The group has identified four areas of focus: economic development and collaboration, municipal services collaboration, water quality and transportation infrastructure (i.e. roads, bridges and mass transit). “The Southeast Michigan Caucus represents the beginning of what I hope will be a new era of bi-partisanship,” Colbeck said. “By focusing on data not demagoguery, we are working to create a forum whereby Democrats and Republicans can work together to lead Southeast Michigan’s recovery and restore our region to the international prominence it once held,” . The caucus announced its leadership and mission Thursday at the Grand Hotel during the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference. The caucus will continue to meet throughout this legislative session. “Southeast Michigan is the economic engine of our state. What we do here reverberates across Michigan. I’m convinced that our economic recovery will begin here, and I look forward to creating a bipartisan partnership with my Southeast colleagues to move our region, and our state, forward,” said Kowall. In developing its regional priorities, the caucus partnered with regional stakeholder organizations, including the Detroit Regional Chamber, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), Metropolitan Affairs

Crooks Rd.

MACKINAC ISLAND –State Reps Jim Townsend (DRoyal Oak), Maureen Stapleton (D-Detroit) and State Sens. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) and Mike Kowall (R-White Lake) and other members of the Southeast Michigan Legislative Caucus this week outlined issues that the caucus will focus on to help this region compete in the global 21st century economy. The new caucus, cochaired by Townsend and Colbeck with Stapleton and Kowall serving as vice chairs, is a bipartisan, bicameral forum devoted to regional reform and economic transformation and the legislation necessary to make it a reality. Its focus is on the region’s most pressing concern – the economy – and its goal is to provide a vehicle for conversation and action on reforms, efficiencies and investments for the region. (See more information about the caucus at www.semcaucus.org). “This is the first time that lawmakers from across southeast Michigan have come together in this way to set priorities, take action and accept responsibility as the region’s delegation in Lansing to move Southeast Michigan forward,” Townsend said. “We have had some very productive meetings to kick off the Caucus. I am encouraged by the level of participation and excitement in our efforts and I look forward to channeling that energy to benefit the southeast Michigan region.” The Caucus consists of at least 40 lawmakers from

and ever more satisfying place in which to work, live, shop, and play.” The foundation has funded dozens of projects over the past decade, providing support for school supplies, home safety improvements for seniors, drug prevention and outreach efforts for youth, and public art projects such as the “Crow’s Nest” and benches in downtown Ferndale. Deadline for grant requests is June 10. Specific information on how to apply is available at the FCF web site at www.ferndalecommunityfoundation.org

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Group to focus on key issues for region

FERNDALE - The Ferndale Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications from local not-for profit groups for its 2011 grant-making cycle. The foundation is expected to provide up to $7,000 in grants for educational programs, youth and health related efforts, and art and cultural issues in the Ferndale area community. Individual grants could range up to $2500 each. “This is the purpose of the Ferndale Community Foundation,” said Dan Martin, FCF president. We have as our goal supporting efforts to make Ferndale a stronger, healthier,

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

Veteran adds parade grand marshal status to list of honors

online at hometownlife.com Jim Adams, grand marshal for the parade, waves a flag in greeting to the crowds.

BY STEVE KOWALSKI ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

ROYAL OAK — The honors keep coming for Jim Adams, a World War II veteran who served as a gunners’ mate first class for the U.S. Navy. Adams, 86, was grand marshal of the 2011 Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade, riding in a vehicle driven by Dale Pioh, a fellow Navy veteran from the Vietnam War era. The honor comes just weeks after U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, came to Adams’ Royal Oak home to deliver four medals, a ribbon, button and lapel pin, which he never received for his service in World War II. Adams joked that he had to put his “arm in a sling all day” following all the waving he did while seated in the vehicle along the parade route, which started on Main at Harrison and headed north before going east on Second Street toward the Barbara A. Hallman Memorial Plaza and ending at the War Memorial. “I was really surprised (the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade Committee) called me,” Adams said. “You don’t turn down stuff like that. It was very nice, different — I never had to do anything like that before. “I’m not much for attention, I like to stay in the background. Royal Oak does (a parade) pretty good.” A memorial service followed the parade, and among the highlights was the dedication of the new Civil War Monument, which lists the names of the 17 Royal Oak area residents who died in the Civil War, according to Carol Hennessey, president of the Royal Oak Memorial Society. The new monument, placed on a boulder the city provided, cost $1,200, Hennessey said. The funds were part of the nearly $180,000 in private funding raised to relocate the War Memorial to an area between the Royal Oak Public Library and City Hall in 2006, according to Hennessey. Hennessey said the memorial service also included an induction ceremony for Royal Oak resident Daniel Connelly into the U.S. Marine Corps. Adams said he couldn’t stay following the parade for the service at the Memorial Plaza because of a prior commitment. Adams was supposed to receive plaques from the city and the Royal Oak Historical Society during the service. Instead, they were delivered to the home of Adams’ son, James Adams III, who made sure the plaques got in his father’s hands later that night, the elder Adams said. Adams, who turns 87 in three months, said he never envisioned having such pomp and circumstance for his three-year military stint, much of which was spent on Navy PT boats in the Mediterranean Sea, during combat against the Germans. “I didn’t know when I was serving I’d be (grand marshal of a parade),” he said. “I was an 18-year-old boy, a farm kid who’s never been out of the state. You learn your independence, taking care of yourself. The training (the military) gives you works. You follow the training and you’ll be all right. The good Lord helps you, too.” Hennessey, co-chair of the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade Committee, said 64 units participated in the parade, including more than 100 veterans. The number of units was up this year, along with the number of spectators, Hennessey said. “More people than normal were watching the parade,” she said. “It had to have been four or five people deep once you got past Lincoln. At the memorial service, there were hardly empty spaces at all, people were all over.” Hennessey credited committee co-chair Carlo Ginotti and the rest of the committee members for their extra work while she recovered from two knee replacement surgeries on March 15. The committee also consists of Tim Constant, Mike Sherman, Philip Smith Jr., Bill Sullivan, Tim Teer, John Wendland and Steve Zanetti. The two knee replacement surgeries came three days after the annual Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which she worked despite pain. “I’m just a ‘worker bee,’” she said with a laugh. “(Knee replacement) was overdue.” Hennessey said she’s recovered enough to have worked some during the Memorial Day Parade, checking in some of the participants. She also rode in a vehicle donated by SAAB for the Royal Oak Memorial Society, for which she is president. “I still have pain, am still going through therapy, but have come a long way,” she said. “I’m doing pretty good. Doctors are pleased with me.” skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2047

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

Royal Oak High band members performed for the crowds.

Anna Lisa and Elaina Ciccone walked in the parade from St. Paul Lutheran School in Royal Oak.

Members of the Armed Forces carry the U.S. flag during the Memorial Day parade in Royal Oak.

Veterans brought attention to those who have suffered wounds through service to our country.

The Royal Oak Middle School band members were well received by the crowds.

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

BARTON FROM PAGE A1

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SARNACKI

Royal Oak resident Patrick Anderson, in a wheelchair, leads Preserve Royal Oak members who walked May 31 in protest to the Kroger proposed for the lot vacated by the Jim Fresard Buick-GMC dealership.

Walkers continue protest against Kroger proposal BY STEVE KOWALSKI STAFF WRITER

ROYAL OAK — When Nikki Martinez and her husband, Jason, bought a home in the 100 block of Pingree Street in October 2010, they figured it was the perfect place to start a family. Across the street and to the east about 100 feet is Barton Park North, where parents enjoy taking their children. “We chose this home because it’s a vibrant, walkable, yet still quiet neighborhood street with a park on the corner that families and children enjoy,” Martinez said. But with a Kroger proposed for a vacant lot directly in front of their home, on Main between Pingree and University, Martinez fears that the neighborhood won’t be as family friendly. On Tuesday afternoon, she was among about 40 other Preserve Royal Oak members participating in a walk from Hollywood Market to the vacant lot and back, in protest of the proposed Kroger. Preserve Royal Oak is a citizens group opposed to the Kroger proposal and founded by longtime resident Sandra Wilkins.

‘NICE TURNOUT’

In the last two weekends, volunteers for Preserve Royal Oak have collected signatures from people opposed to the new Kroger, according to Wilkins. Most signatures were collected at Hollywood Market and Holiday Market, two longstanding markets on Main Street, surrounding downtown Royal Oak. Ken Welch, the owner of Hollywood Market, and Tom Violante, Holiday Market owner, are financing most of the Preserve Royal Oak campaign, but donations are coming from other sources, too, Wilkins said. “We get donations from the community,” she said. “We’ve gotten many, many donations.” With less than two weeks remaining before Kroger representatives present their plan at a June 14 Planning Commission meeting, nearly 2,500 signatures have been collected opposing the proposal, according to Wilkins. “We had a nice turnout,” Wilkins said of Tuesday’s

‘We will look at the project on its merits, as it fits into the Master Plan. We react to the site plan in front of us. The city is not the “competition police.” Both sides are entitled to a fair hearing and that’s what we’ll give them.’ JIM ELLISON, Royal Oak mayor

‘I haven’t seen the (Kroger) plans yet. The concern for me is that between the (proposed) Kroger, (the new) Emagine Theatre and a (sports) bar in the middle, you are packing a lot into a small area.’ CHUCK SEMCHENA, Royal Oak city commissioner

walk. “People are looking for us to come and sign (the petitions). We’ve had overwhelming support, a week’s worth of signatures. Every day gains momentum.”

TRAFFIC CONCERNS

Royal Oak resident Walter Ochalek, and his wife, Kerry Fox, were walk participants. Ochalek said he has shopped at the Kroger on 13 Mile and Woodward in Royal Oak, but he’d prefer that the Cincinnati-based grocer would reconsider opening a second store in the city. “I’m kind of on the fence about it,” Ochalek said. “The big thing is it’s kind of a behemoth. I like Kroger. I don’t want one living on top of us.” The proposed Kroger would cover 49,714 square feet of ground floor area, compared to Hollywood Market’s 21,639, according to a May 26 memo from the Planning Department to the Planning Commission. Hollywood Market’s ground floor area is equal to its total floor area. Kroger’s total floor area proposed is 70,664, which is more than three times the size of Hollywood Market’s ground and total floor area, the memo said. The memo also indicates that the proposed Kroger would generate approximately 3,200 new vehicle trips per day on any given weekday and more than 5,000 on weekend days. Chris Sheehy, a Huntington Woods resident who joined in the Preserve Royal Oak walk, said his opposition to Kroger is more because of his dedication to local businesses.

“I support local, not conglomerates,” he said. “There are two independents on the same street (Hollywood and Holiday markets) and I’d hate to see them go. Keep the dollars in the community.”

HOTEL INSTEAD?

Hollywood Market generates considerably less vehicle traffic than what the proposed Kroger would attract and closes at 9:30 p.m. MondaySaturday and 8 p.m. Sundays, times that neighbors find compatible to their lifestyles, Martinez said. Martinez said she’d prefer keeping Hollywood Market as her neighborhood’s supermarket, and “almost anything else” but a Kroger at the vacant lot, which used to be the site of the Fresard GMC-Buick dealership. A Kroger that opened in downtown Grosse Pointe, which has drawn comparisons to the kind of store Kroger would like to open on Main Street, stays open until 11 p.m. seven days per week. Martinez said having a store open considerably longer than Hollywood Market would not “allow us a reasonable night’s sleep.” Dale Hollandsworth, consumer communication manager for the Michigan region of Kroger stores, could not be reached Friday for comments regarding the Preserve Royal Oak walk. Wilkins said the proposed Kroger doesn’t meet the “small to medium” commercial development recommended in the 1999 Master Plan. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little boutique hotel, a low

impact on the community?” Wilkins asked.

CITY NOT ‘COMPETITION POLICE’ Mayor Jim Ellison, interviewed while attending the grand opening for the Cantina Diablo’s restaurant at the southwest corner of 11 Mile and Main Wednesday, described Preserve Royal Oak as a “very passionate group devoted to its cause.” He said he is looking forward to the plans Kroger will present, starting at the Planning Commission. How a Kroger would affect other existing businesses is not how it will be judged, he said. “We will look at the project on its merits, as it fits into the Master Plan,” Ellison said. “We react to the site plan in front of us. The city is not the ‘competition police.’ Both sides are entitled to a fair hearing and that’s what we’ll give them.” City Commissioner Chuck Semchena, walking to his car from the Cantina Diablo’s grand opening, called the proposed Kroger “an interesting project.” The Kroger proposal will be reviewed just ahead of an application being submitted by a sports bar for the other side of Main Street, at University, he said. “I haven’t seen the (Kroger) plans yet,” Semchena said. “The concern for me is that between the (proposed) Kroger, (the new) Emagine Theatre and a (sports) bar in the middle, you are packing a lot into a small area.” skowalsk@hometownlife.com (313) 222-2047

uled to appear before the Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, to present their plan to build on the former site of the Fresard Buick-GMC dealership, around the block from the senior apartment complex. Leonard Lawitzke, president of Barton Towers, said Kroger representatives have met with Barton Towers officers twice to explain the plan to move into the former site of the Fresard Buick-GMC dealership. Lawitzke said a Kroger, with an estimated 50,000 square feet of ground floor area, would be more convenient to the Barton residents than the Hollywood Market, which is a couple of blocks north of the vacant lot at 714 N. Main. Among the promises Kroger representatives made in their conversations with the officers was to provide a gate and walkway between the Barton Towers and the Kroger, according to Lawitzke. Kroger officials also promised to have truck deliveries during daylight hours, he said. “We are much in favor of this Kroger store here, if for no other reason that it’s convenient, super convenient,” Lawitzke said in a telephone interview Friday. “When you get to be our age, a lot of people no longer drive. (A Kroger) is a favorable consideration by us.” The Barton Towers, at 333 N. Troy, has 211 individual apartments, with most being single occupancy, according to Lawitzke. Approximately 30 of the rooms are occupied by married couples and there are about five vacancies, leaving the resident count at about 235, he said. Lawitzke said residents, and their family members, will have an opportunity to discuss the Kroger proposal at the Barton Towers general monthly meeting at 10 a.m. June 15. “(Residents) will discuss this very thoroughly at that time,” Lawitzke said. Joining Lawitzke’s signature on the letter representing Barton Towers was a signature from Joan Fraus, the vice president.

SOME NOT IN FAVOR

Apparently, not all of the Barton Towers residents are on the same page. Two residents, and a daughter of a resident, interviewed inside the lobby on a recent afternoon said they oppose the proposal to build a Kroger around the block. Barton Towers resident Carmella Wells said she’d still prefer to shop at Hollywood Market over Kroger. “It’s good exercise for a lot of seniors to walk (to Hollywood),” Wells said. “(Hollywood has) been there for years, treated seniors nicely. It doesn’t make any difference (if Kroger comes to Royal Oak), but I don’t need Kroger.” Another senior resident, Lois Tilch, said she doesn’t like the idea of being within view of the trucks making deliveries at the grocer. “(The proposed Kroger) is too close to (the Barton Towers),” Tilch said. “I live on the west side and I’ll see all that traffic coming in, coming in with big trucks, supplies.”

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Amy Seiferlein, a Royal Oak resident who visits her mother, Helen, at Barton Towers, said she opposes a Kroger because of its size and proximity to Hollywood Market. “I just think it’s too big, too close, to other stores,” Seiferlein said. When told that the only two Barton Towers’ residents interviewed happened to oppose Kroger’s proposal to move into the empty lot, Lawitzke said, “I don’t think you got the view of the majority here.”

COMPETING PETITIONS?

While the interviews with Wells and Tilch were taking place in the lobby of Barton Towers, Fraus walked by and was asked if she approves of the plan by Kroger to move into the former car dealer lot. “I like the idea, and several other people, do, too,” Fraus said, refusing to comment further. Preserve Royal Oak, the citizens group formed in opposition to the Kroger proposal, has circulated a petition with approximately 2,500 signatures to deliver to the Planning Commission, according to the group’s founder, Sandra Wilkins. Lawitzke doesn’t doubt that some Barton Towers residents have signed it, but he feels he could collect more in support of Kroger. “Maybe we should circulate our own petition here in the building (supporting Kroger),” he said. “Counteract it with our own.” Nikki Martinez, a homeowner in the 100 block of Pingree Street, across the street from the north side of the proposed Kroger lot, said she hopes the Barton Towers’ letter doesn’t carry too much weight with the Planning Commission. Wilkins was not available Friday for comment regarding the official statement from Barton Towers. “Not only does (a new Kroger) affect Barton residents, but the community as a whole,” Martinez said. “(Barton residents) feelings are valuable, worthy, and there is a whole community.”

FAMILIAR STORY

This isn’t the first time in recent years Barton Towers residents have turned vocal about a proposed development. In 2009, a majority of Barton Towers residents, and many nearby homeowners, opposed the proposal by Emagine Theatre to move into a vacant lot at the northwest corner of 11 Mile and Troy, Lawitzke said. Their plea was defeated when the Planning Commission recommended the theater’s approval, and the City Commission followed suit with a majority vote. Emagine Theatre broke ground in August 2010 and opened on May 16. City officials were aware that a majority of Barton Towers opposed the theater though no official statement was sent in writing to the Planning Commission, according to Lawitzke. “We were very much against the Emagine Theatre because of a lack of parking,” Lawitzke said. What’s his thoughts, three weeks after the theater’s opening? “We’re living with it. It’s there,” he said. skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2047

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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Take time to stroll through this formal garden in Pleasant Ridge during the annual Home and Garden Tour.

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A three-story colonial home is one of the stops on the eighth annual Home and Garden Tour, June 11, presented by the Pleasant Ridge Historical Commission.

Popular tour features diverse homes, gardens BY DIANA WING GUEST COLUMNIST

he entire city of Pleasant Ridge received designation as a National Historic District last September, so this year’s eighth annual Home and Garden Tour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 11, is very special. Presented by the Pleasant Ridge Historical Commission, the tour features six homes and seven gardens. “Each home is part of the historic district, but they’re each very unique,” said Shannon Wolf, Around Town vice chairman of the Historical Diana Wing Commission. “We have a wide range of architectural styles that truly reflect the diversity you see in the city.” Wolf said she likes each home for different reasons, but if she could move into any one of them, it would be a recently remodeled Cape Cod. “I really love the Cape Cod. It’s been completely redone on the inside. The whole floor plan was reconfigured without changing the original footprint,” she said. “It’s so open and light. They have a back room that is a family room/kitchen, a big open room that overlooks their backyard. “The dining room was where the kitchen was, and the kitchen was in the front of the house and they opened it up and it’s just so light with the windows and the hand-

made glass and stone backsplash and the granite…There was a bedroom on the first floor and they made that into a nice library with a fireplace. It’s really impressive.” Homes on the tour include a three-story Colonial that was shown on the tour years ago and has undergone many updates, and a Tudor which has been home to three generations of family members. Among the distinctive gardens is one with a very formal design. “It’s like something you would see in France — a lot of boxwoods and wrought iron and paths that go through the bushes,” Wolf described. “It’s very lovely.” Joining volunteer docents at each site are the residents who graciously open up their homes and gardens to the public. “The idea of getting your home ready to show everyone, the cleaning and getting all of your little projects finished, it’s a big deal,” Wolf said. “Someone said to me once, their home never looked better than when it was on the Home and Garden Tour because you have great motivation.” Certain areas of the tour are walkable, and with so much interesting architecture to look at, you’ll enjoy strolling through the neighborhoods. Monies raised from the tour will be used for new brick pavers, historic street signs and upkeep of the Historical Museum. Tickets to the Home and Garden Tour are $20 the day of the tour, available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind Pleasant Ridge City Hall, 23925 Woodward (just south of I-696). To learn more visit www.pleasantridgehistory.com.

JAMES ZUPAN

This Pleasant Ridge home has housed three generations of family members.

ORGANIZE & RECYCLE

Got too much stuff? Can’t find your stuff? Don’t know where to recycle your stuff? Learn about recycling resources and how to become more organized through a series of workshops beginning July 20 at the Huntington Woods Public Library. “The concept behind these programs is taking a look at not just how do I organize, how do I get rid of the clutter to make my life easier, it also involves what you do with that material,” said series’ co-presenter Claire

Galed of the Huntington Woods Department of Public Works. “It isn’t just recycling; it’s making decisions that end up with your buying less, using less. It’s also the fact that there are many things that we view as hard to get rid of, but there are options,” she said. “For example, while they won’t take everything, the Furniture Bank of Oakland County takes a lot. People call and say, ‘I was going to do this project 10 years ago and I’ve got this wood that’s really in good shape,’ and I’ll say, ‘call Habitat for Humanity.”

The workshops stem from a partnership between the Michigan Recycling Coalition, of which Galed is a member, and the National Association of Professional Organizers. Workshop series’ co-presenter Kathleen Rubino of Good 2 Be Organized said there’s a misconception that organizing means having to throw everything out. “People think that if you are keeping things that you’re not organized, and that’s not true because you can keep lots of stuff,” she said. “There’s a process to it, and creating a plan to be organized.” Organizing is a hot topic, and it seems like most of us aren’t very good at it. “I think we’re a very blessed nation. We’re very fortunate. We have lots of stuff that we like and we have a difficult time trying to decide what we do with it,” Rubino said. “Sometimes people are just overwhelmed. We have busy lives and we think it will take so much time to become organized. Actually the initial part can be, but after that it should be a relatively short period of time to keep things up. “When you want to look for something and it’s there where you put it, it’s a pretty awesome thing,” she said. Organizing and recycling workshops are 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, July 20 (introduction to organizing), July 27 (Organizing your kitchen), and Aug. 3 (Organizing your garage and outdoor spaces). Registration is requested. Call the Huntington Woods Public Library at (248) 5439720. Get organized and send Around Town news to Diana Wing at rotown@ameritech.net.

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COMMUNITY LIFE

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Cat of the week

Meow! My name is George. I am a BIG buff tabby who’s bigger than a lot of dogs. I weigh in at 21 pounds! Yikes, I need to go on a diet because that’s not healthy at all, but I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted in my previous home, and well, let’s just say I have some issues with restraint. I just can’t get enough attention — in fact, if you start petting me, you better be committed for the next few hours. I am very vocal, too, and I’m pretty much talking all the time. I get along fine with cats, kids, and dogs. I’m an all-around well-adjusted guy who is looking for another chance at a forever home. I’m 9 years old, front declawed, neutered, and current on vaccinations. Please call or e-mail New Beginnings Animal Rescue to arrange a meeting with me. (248) 755-1923 or nbarmichigan@gmail.com.

Dog of the week Armando is the featured dog this week at Almost Home Animal Rescue. Volunteers suspect he’s a Bulldog/Lab mix. He’s a young adult male with a happy demeanor and a handsome, cool look. He loves attention and being given lots of hugs and pets. Stop by Almost Home to spend some time getting to know Armando. If you’re interested in adopting him, fill out an online application at www. almosthomeanimals.org. Visit the shelter, noon to 3 p.m., Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday; 3:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday; and 1:30-5:30 p.m., Saturday, 25503 Clara Lane, Southfield. For more information call Almost Home Animal Rescue League at (248) 200-2695.

Animal shelter sets auction fundraiser on June 14

Being mindful

American Express and United Way of Southeastern Michigan joined forces for a morning of volunteering at the “Travel With Your Mind” Global Feast, held at Cody High School in Detroit on May 21. The “Travel with your Mind” program was designed to help revitalize Cody High School through a series of transformational projects and multicultural initiatives. Chef Robert Young of Union Brewery in Royal Oak also conducted a cooking demonstration exposing students to the flavors of the world.

Kristen Karczewski of Royal Oak paints a wall as part of the project.

ROYAL OAK - Fur-Get-MeNot is not a flower as such, but a chance to let bloom the love, health, and care of animal friends at the Royal Oak Animal Shelter dueing the facility’s annual silent auction benefit. The event is set for 5-8:30 p.m. June 14 at the Sangria Sky Club, 401 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. The shelter is funded entirely by donations. This event is the shelter’s main fund-raiser and it ensures the ability to keep the shelter operating, according to a press release. Exciting items available in the silent auction include: • Jewelry items and gift cards from Chinn Jewelry • Bowling party at Emagine/ Star Lanes • $500 spa party at Saks Fifth Avenue • Massage and gift card from Optimal Wellness • Gift cards to Royal Oak restaurants, includ-

The ‘Travel with your Mind’ program was designed to help revitalize Cody High School through a series of transformational projects and multicultural initiatives. Chef Robert Young of Union Brewery in Royal Oak also conducted a cooking demonstration exposing students to the flavors of the world.

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Painting a bathroom stall door during the project was Tamara Jackson of Clawson.

ing Cafe Muse, Andiamo, Lockhart’s BBQ, Royal Oak Brewery, Ray’s Ice Cream, and Pasquale’s. • An aquarium and gift card from The Aquarium Shop • Gift cards to Royal Oak area businesses, including Holiday Market, Catherine’s Pet Parlour, Play & Stay, Hollywood Market, Noir Leather, Chozen by BC, Blush Boutique, Bleach Hair Salon, Hanson’s Running, and LA Fitness. • Golf outing at the Royal Oak Golf Course • Four tickets to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle • Detroit Tiger Tickets

Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Tickets also are available at: Royal Oak Animal Shelter 1515 N. Edgeworth Royal Oak, MI 48067 The Aquarium Shop 504 N. Main St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 Only checks and cash can be accepted for tickets and auction items. Tickets will also be available online at www.roas.petfinder. com Contact the Animal Shelter with any questions at (248) 246-3364 or e-mail roanimalshelterstaff@yahoo.com

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ALZHEIMERS AND ARTHRITIS

A doctor, who sees an Alzheimer’s patient with arthritis, re-learns the value of an accurate history of joint pain. There are over 50 different arthritic conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and infectious arthritis are the most widely known examples. At times, conditions such as fractures, bone bruises, tendinitis and bursitis can mimic arthritis. The way a doctor makes his way through this maze of possibilities is by taking a patient’s history. When the pain or swelling began, whether pain is present at night, whether walking makes the joint problem better or worse, what previous treatments have helped or not, are important questions. The answers are of equal significance. Unfortunately, a patient with Alzheimer’s has lost the ability to remember details and cannot give coherent replies. In most instances, the observations of the person giving care cannot compensate for the patient’s memory loss. Examining the Alzheimer patient has great value, as joints such as the knee or ankle may show swelling and have fluid present. Other joints such as the shoulder often prove difficult to examine as the patient may need to cooperate and follow directions on how to move the joint, but the ability to cooperate is limited. Treatment is also limited. Patients with dementia of any type have difficulty swallowing medication, and when moody, may refuse any therapy. The doctor can only prescribe and then respond with patience when the patient returns with the same pain. OE08743078

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Southfield Civic Center site of Chaldean festival

SOUTHFIELD – The Chaldean Community Foundation and the North American Midway have partnered with the City of Southfield to co-host the sixthannual Chaldean Festival, June 10-12 at the Southfield Civic Center. The three-day festival will feature a full carnival with amusement park rides and games. There will also be additional attractions, such as food booths, live entertainment, merchant booths, and an expanded cultural tent displaying Chaldean culture and art. The Chaldean Festival is a celebration of contemporary Chaldean culture for anyone who wishes to be a part of the festivities and learn about the Chaldean roots. “With an expected 10,000 additional Chaldean refugees coming to Michigan over the next year, our annual Chaldean Festival is an opportunity to show metro Detroit who we are, as a community,” said Martin Manna, executive director, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. “Chaldean entertainers, businesses and food vendors all participate, offering a look at our culture as well as contributions to southeast Michigan’s business community.” Evergreen Road, between 10 Mile and 11 Mile Road, will be closed June 10-12 for the event. Festival activities will be held on Evergreen Road and the Southfield Civic Center lawn between 4-10 p.m., Friday, June 10; noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 11; and noon to 10 p.m., Sunday, June 12. The festival is also working with the City of Southfield to reinvigorate the Southfield Jazz Festival, last held in 2009, by making Friday a jazz night. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chaldean Community Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Chaldeans are the indigenous people of Iraq who speak Aramaic and are Eastern Rite Catholic. Metro Detroit hosts the largest Chaldean population outside of Iraq. According to a survey conducted in 2008 by Walsh College and The United Way, more than 113,000 Chaldeans reside in 27,500 households across Southeast Michigan. An additional 8,400 Iraqi Chaldean Refugees have resettled in Michigan since the survey was completed. The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce is a partnership of Chaldean businesses and professionals working together to strengthen members’ business, increase job opportunities, encourage expansion and promote Chaldean business and culture. The Chamber seeks to service and represent Aramaicspeaking people, including Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs. For more information, visit www.chaldeanchamber. com.

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LOCAL NEWS

ROYAL OAK POLICE

ROYAL OAK — The following incidents were reported to Royal Oak Police between May 27-June 2. • A suspected drunk driver, arrested after being pulled over for speeding, is also facing charges for a concealed weapon violation. A Royal Oak patrol officer stopped a vehicle for speeding at Crooks and Hickory and found the driver of the vehicle to be intoxicated, according to the May 28 police report. The subject was arrested for operating while intoxicated, the report said. During the impounding of the vehicle, officers found an 8 1/2-inch knife under the driver’s seat, according to the police report. • Valuables were not safe behind two shut garage doors, according to May 27 reports filed with the Royal Oak Police Department. Someone broke into a garage in the 600 block of North Main and stole a roto tiller and two lawnmowers, according to a police report. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect broke into his garage in the 1200 block of South Lafayette and stole several copper sculptures, another police report said. • A home invasion was reported May 27 by a complainant at a home in the 900 block of Mohawk, in which someone stole a 21-inch television. • Two unknown suspects broke the driver’s side window of a vehicle parked in the 2700 block of Woodward Avenue, while the driver was inside, according to a May 27 police report. The driver confronted the suspects, who fled on foot, the report said. • Two males picked the wrong vehicle to try to break into in the 1400 block of Bauman, according to a May 31 police report. A complainant reported that he observed two males attempting to break into his car, the report said. The complainant confronted the two suspects, retrieved his two cell phones and called police, according to the report. Royal Oak officers, along with Troy and Madison Heights officers, responded to the area and apprehended both suspects, the report said. • Drivers are no doubt regretting not locking their vehicles on recent days when they became victims of alleged car thefts. A complainant reported May 28 that an unknown suspect entered her unlocked vehicle in the 200 block of South Vermont and stole her identification and an undisclosed amount of currency, according to a police report. The driver of an unlocked vehicle parked in the 900 block of Hoffman reported May 28 that someone stole his wallet, including an undisclosed amount of money, from the car’s interior, according to another police report. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect entered his unlocked vehicle in the

4300 block of Coolidge and stole his iPod and an undisclosed amount of currency, according to a June 1 police report. A portable GPS unit was stolen from the interior of an unlocked vehicle parked in the 4400 block of Coolidge, according to a June 1 police report. • A digital camera was stolen from the work area inside the David Pressley School, in the 1100 block of S. Washington, according to a May 27 police report filed by an employee. • A resident of a home in the 1100 block of North Alexander reported an unknown suspect stole his bicycle from his front porch, according to a May 28 police report. • Two unknown males broke the front window of The Accessories Shop, in the 500 block of South Washington, according to a May 29 police report. • An unknown suspect smashed the rear window and flattened a tire on a vehicle parked in the 3000 block of North Main, according to a May 30 police report. A suspect who fled from a traffic stop in Berkley was apprehended in the back yard of a home on Northwood Street in Royal Oak, and returned to Berkley, according to a June 1 Royal Oak Police report. The Royal Oak K-9 tracked the suspect after the Berkley Police Department requested assistance, the police report said. The suspect was arrested by Royal Oak Police and turned over to Berkley, the report said. • A suspicious male who fled Royal Oak Police on foot was apprehended by Berkley Police after he crossed Woodward into Berkley, according to a June 2 Royal Oak Police report. A complainant in the area of Woodsboro and Sunset, in Royal Oak, reported seeing a suspicious male walking into back yards, the police report said. The first responding officer observed the suspicious male near a back yard, approached the subject and began to question him, according to the report. The suspect was confrontational and his demeanor was very concerning to the officer, the report said. As a second officer arrived to assist, the suspect fled on foot, according to the report. A foot pursuit ensued and the subject fled across Woodward Avenue into Berkley, the report said. Berkley Police were notified and assisted Royal Oak officers. Berkley officers caught the suspect on Catalpa, west of Woodward, and the suspect was found to be in possession of a bandana tied as a mask, a pair of gloves and a duffel bag, according to the report. The suspect was arrested for obstructing police and misdemeanor warrants, according to the report. — By Steve Kowalski

Swap food for fines at Ferndale Library

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Items for the Community Calendar should be emailed to sarmbruster@hometownlife.com. Please include all information and add the name and phone number of someone whom we can contact during normal business hours. Items are printed on a space available basis, and are accepted from nonprofit groups.

Ferndale Pride 2011

JUNE

Downtown Ferndale will host multiple Gay Pride events and activities continue through Sunday, June 5. These events include three parades and marches, three rallies, the annual Gay Commitment Ceremony, and several dozen club and bar theme events, “alley rallies,” patio parties and a “downtown stroll.” Check future editions of this newspaper for further details. Co-chair of the event is Craig Covey, cscovey@aol.com.

Dems meet The next Royal Oak Area Democratic Club monthly meeting is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 4, in the Leo Mahany / Harold Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48073. Check the club web site at www.roadc.com. Guest speaker will be Linda Ewing of the UAW research department. She will examine Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s approach to organized labor: Please contact Tom Regan at (248) 435-0147 for more information.

Mayor’s walks Join Southfield Mayor Brenda L. Lawrence for the first of the “Mayor’s Walks: A Healthy City is a Strong City” program, beginning on Monday, June 6, at Inglenook Park located on west 12 Mile Road, between Lahser and Evergreen Roads.

VIETNAM

FROM PAGE A1

and his wife, Eva Joyce Burns, went to see it, coming away impressed. Burns contacted Michigan Vietnam Veterans Post 154 and made arrangements to have the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial come to Clawson. Its visit will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at Memorial Park, next to the gazebo and hosted by the Clawson Historical Museum. The viewing has no charge, though freewill offerings will be accepted to cover “moving” costs, Burns said. “All they ask for is contributions so they can carry this project onto anyone else who may choose to see it as well,” Burns said. “To the best of my knowledge it has not been to (the south Oakland County) area.” As part of the visit to Clawson, a poster with tributes to the five Clawson residents who died while serving the country in Vietnam will be on display, according to Burns. The five Clawson residents who died in Vietnam are: James Ray Laudicina, Sidney Rasnick, John Robert Miller, Harold James Sotzen and David Franklin Vandercook. Burns said he and his wife have spent many hours collecting photographs from old Clawson High School yearbooks, a book published by a previous curator of the Clawson Historical Museum and contacts with former neighbors of the deceased veterans. “We’ve searched around, done a lot of

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The walks begin with a warm-up at 6:45 a.m. followed by the walk from 7-7:30 a.m. The walks continue every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through July 29. The goal of the walks is to foster physical fitness while allowing the community an opportunity to network with their local elected officials. For more information, call Marty Williams, executive assistant to the mayor, at (248) 796-5100.

Golf benefit The Tri-Community Coalition will host its 13th Annual Golf Class, “Swinging for Scholarships and More...” on Monday, June 6, at the Links of Novi. The event will fund two scholarships and other youth activities. Check www.tricommunitycoalition.org for more details or have your student at OPHS and BHS check with their counselor about how to apply for the scholarships.

Teen club The Ferndale Public Library has rebooted its Teen Book Club. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 7, from 6:30- 7:30 p.m. The selection is Kendra by Coe Booth. Kids ages 1218 are encouraged to come. Copies of the book have been put on reserve so just stop at the front desk and ask for Kendra. Questions about the club can be directed to Jillean McCommons, head of youth services (jilleanmc@gmail.com) or Emily Trousdale, assistant youth librarian (trousdale.emily@gmail.com)

Dad’s gifts Kids in grades 4-6 are invited to make a special gift for the fathers in their lives at the Ferndale Public Library, from 4-5 p.m., Friday, June 10. The event is free and materials will be provided. No registration is required.

Youth golf Mondays, beginning June 13, from 5:457 p.m., youths ages 8-15 can learn golf with Thomas Proben at the South Oakland Family YMCA, 1016 W. 11 Mile, 48067. Call (248) 547-0030 for more information.

Veterans meet Southfield and Lathrup veterans are welcome to learn about benefits available during the regular monthly meeting of the Southfield American Legion Post #328 on Wednesday, June 15, at 9 a.m. at the Southfield Beech Woods Recreation Center on Beech Road, just south of Nine Mile Road. For more information: call Don at (248) 552-8030 or Greg at (248) 443-0662. For more information, visit: http:// legionpost328.org/index.html

Summer reading

The Ferndale Public Library, on Nine Mile east of Woodward, will have a summer reading party from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18. This year’s Summer Reading theme, “One World, Many Stories” and readers young and old are invited to explore the world through reading. The kick-off event features The Bubble Man, Ron Loyd. Sign up for this year’s reading game, join the piñata party and watch The Bubble Man. The event is free.

Flea market Antiques and collectibles, jewelry, books, pottery and household goods will be among the things available at the Berkley Masonic Temple flea market, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18. The temple is located at 2290 West 11 Mile Road. There will be a lunch counter and baked goods sale on premises during flea market. The event is open to public, with free parking, handicap accessible.

digging,” Burns said. “It was fun, but challenging.” Burns said he and his wife went to great lengths to get photographs of Laudicina. “We obtained a photo from a neighbor friend of his,” Burns said. “For the most part that’s all we got on him other than his military information.” Burns said he stopped short of contacting surviving members of Clawson residents who died in Vietnam, not wanting to rehash their loss of a loved one. “Quite honestly, I had strong reservations and respect for the families of the fellows, even though (the Vietnam War) is way back,” he said. “I didn’t want to contact anyone, to bring up bad (memories) again.” Burns, who is retired from General Motors, said he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army in December 1961. Before reporting for duty, he said he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, in January 1962, becoming a first-class airman, serving “stateside” until 1965. “I was not over in Vietnam,” he said. “I was about two hairs close to being sent there.” A graduate of Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Burns said he recognizes a few former classmates on the memorial, including a “very good childhood buddy of mine.” “Whether you’re from Clawson, or the Upper Peninsula, if you knew anyone who died in the Vietnam War, you’d sure recognize the names on it,” Burns said.

Mayor’s walks begin Monday SOUTHFIELD - Join Southfield Mayor Brenda L. Lawrence for the first of the “Mayor’s Walks: A Healthy City is a Strong City” program, beginning on Monday, at Inglenook Park located on West 12 Mile Road between Lahser and Evergreen roads. The walks begin with a warm-up at 6:45 a.m. followed by the walk from 7-7:30 a.m. The mayor invites all Southfield residents and business people to join her and other Southfield elected officials, department heads and community leaders for a refreshing walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through July 29. The goal of the walks is to foster physical fitness while allowing the community an opportunity to network with their local elected officials. For more information, call Marty Williams, executive assistant to the mayor, at (248) 796-5100.

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FERNDALE – It’s a win-win situation. Patrons at the Ferndale Public Library will soon have the chance to help out those in need while taking care of their library fines. From June 6-18, the Library will be accepting non-perishable, unexpired food items as payment for library fines. For each dollar a patron owes, one item of food will be accepted, and the fine will be waived. All collected food items will be donated to the Ferndale Zion Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry, which distributes food once a month to the surrounding community. Food may only be used to pay fines, not toward printing, faxing, photocopies, or toward paying for lost items. Food will only be accepted during the period of the program, June 6-18, 2011. Please direct questions about the Food For Fines program to Patricia Lind, circulation coordinator, at (248) 546-2504.

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Drunken driver is also facing weapons charge

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

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Berkley robotics team takes championship BY SANDRA ARMBRUSTER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

BERKLEY — They call themselves ninjas, and indeed, they crouched on the floor one recent night after school, ready to pounce. But there was nothing imaginary about this group of Norup International School students, nor were they in any way related to mutant turtles. The ninja concept, however, helped take them creatively to first place at the Robofest World Championship, held last month at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. Determined to demonstrate their winning ways to a visitor, the students hooked up robots they had designed and built themselves for the competition. They even had outlined a story line that had to do with a king needing to be rescued. Who better to do the job than a ninja? While things didn’t quite work out as planned that night, these ninjas were not dismayed, still remembering the fun of having won first place, and the earlier successes in qualifying rounds. These ninjas are a group of six or seven that could expand, if parents get involved. They are tough, well, determined anyway not to let adversity get them down. The group’s first competition, the First Lego League last November, had a disappointing result for the inexperienced students, said Mark Huff, one of the dads involved in coaching the group. His son, Jagger Huff and Kevin Resanka, both 12, both said that they have enjoyed the experience. “It’s fun building what you like doing,” Kevin said, adding that he is the “main builder on the team.” Just like on any team, everyone has a role with the ninjas. Jagger, for instance, said he is the programmer for the group, “It’s a trial and error process,” he said. “It is kind of amazing for me.” Indeed, the two students worked together to control a “gear thing” to work properly with an errant chain. Other students involved include Jayna Carden, 12, and Kevin Traute, 11. The

ninjas are “all my friends,” Kevin said of his involvement. “Sometimes (participation) was up and down, but we all came together as a team. Programming, it’s like, complicated but fun.” Jayna likes Legos, so decided to try the team and enjoys “learning the different points of robots, the different advantages.” Miles Huff, 9, proudly noted that he is what the group thinks is the youngest competitor at Robofest. He said he expects to play an expanded role when the older students move on. Miles added that the group will try again for First Lego League, not letting having come in nearly “dead last” in November be a deterrent. “Next season, we’ll have enough experience to have a better shot at it,” he said. Peter Chekal, 11, who said he joined the group because he was bored, added that he enjoys the challenge of the championship. The goal-oriented group meets once or twice a week for about two hours. “We sort of look at our agenda for the entire season, and start accomplishing our challenge,” he said. While they had a field kit to start with, the project became 4-feet high on a 4- by 8-foot platform, according to the dads. Along with Mark Huff, actively involved are Doug Rezanka, who works in the IT department at Eaton Corp., and David Chekal who works for HP. Huff works for the MDOT in civil engineering. “It’s like a science fair,” Rezanka said. He described the group as very creative. Part of the competition included the requirement that the students describe what the robots were doing and why. That proved challenging to the students at first, Rezanka said. The ninjas took their namesake seriously, at one point portraying a ninja in action behind a back-lighted screen. The ninjas are expected to continue to meet over the summer months. “It’s been amazing,” Mark Huff said of the team. sarmbruster@hometownlife.com

Dad Doug Rezanka signals that the accompanying members of the ninjas Robofest team placed first in the world championship. Norup School students in the Berkley district work with one of the coaches, Doug Rezanka, who helped to lead the team to a first place finish in the Robofest at Lawrence Technological University.

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Cantina owner takes success to ‘another level’ BY STEVE KOWALSKI ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

ROYAL OAK — For Brian Kramer, opening a second Cantina Diablo’s bar/restaurant is just as much about a homecoming as it is an expansion of his business. Kramer stood outside the new location, at the southwest corner of 11 Mile and Main Street, greeting guests as he and other dignitaries prepared to cut the ribbon for the Wednesday grand opening. Kramer’s 17-year restaurant career began in Royal Oak as a business partner of Duggan’s Irish Pub, Pub 1881 and Woody’s Diner. For the last decade he has impacted the downtown Ferndale nightlife scene, starting with the opening of Rosie O’Grady’s. In 2010, Kramer opened the first Cantina Diablo’s, at 175 W. Troy, around the corner from Rosie’s. “I’m real happy to ‘come home,’ ” said Kramer, who plans on franchising the Cantina Diablo’s concept in 2012. “(The Ferndale Cantina) has been fabulous, better than expected. (The Royal Oak location) will take it to another level.” The two-story, 10,337-squarefoot building is the former home of Memphis Smoke, which has sat vacant for most of the past year. Cantina Diablo’s serves Tex-Mex cuisine, which Kramer and co-owner Kevin Downey say is growing in demand, citing a growth of sales in this market of almost three percent while many other restaurant concepts are closing their doors. Downey, who owned Fox and Hounds restaurant in Bloomfield Hills between 1979-2007, is a business partner for the first time with Kramer, but they have a long history. Kramer said went to high school with Downey’s daughter, and he got his start in the restaurant business, working for Downey. “He’s like a second dad to me,” Kramer said. The 4,291-square-foot second floor will have a roof-top patio with seven

Brian Kramer, co-owner of the new Cantina Diablo’s eatery in downtown Royal Oak, has a conversation with a guest at Wednesday’s grand opening. JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Guests at the grand opening of the new Cantina Diablo’s eatery in downtown Royal Oak enjoy a meal and drinks at a first-floor table. lounge areas, all with fire pits, scheduled for a late June grand opening. Indoor-outdoor seating will transition into a private banquet area for 125 guests, and the restaurant will also feature variety of live and DJ entertainment for after-dinner hours. Executive chef and Tex-Mex specialist Brian Hussey, who worked for the Pappas Restaurant Group in Texas before owning the Mesquite Creek in Clarkston, prepares dinners and weekend brunches. “(Kramer’s) vision is fabulous,” Downey said. “His detail, the quality of food. It’s not ‘Fox and Hounds’ type food, but from the quality standpoint it is. I’m really excited about (a Royal Oak restaurant). It’s the community to be in southeast Michigan.” The grand opening of the $3.3 million project, financed by Birmingham Bank, comes only weeks after Royal Oak celebrated the opening of the $19 million Emagine Theatre and Star Lanes, one block to the east along 11 Mile Road. Ironically, Kramer said he tried to purchase the former Memphis Smoke building back in 1996 but was outbid

“by 50 grand.” “It was a lost opportunity and the opportunity comes back,” Kramer said. “My appraiser called (the southwest corner of 11 Mile and Main) the best location in Michigan, before the (Emagine Theatre).” Jessica Pulis and Carrie McCloud, Birmingham residents who work together, predicted the new Cantina Diablo’s will be just as popular as Memphis Smoke during its peak years. “It’s going to be the new summer hot spot,” said Pulis, enjoying a drink after work. Each have been to the Cantina Diablo’s in Ferndale, they said. The food and drinks menu are impressive, and they also appreciate the presence of 76 high-definition plasma TVs, they said. “There are more TVs, and that will make our husbands want to come here,” McCloud said. Pulis and McCloud were among the guests at the grand opening who remarked about how they liked the open-air feel, even on the enclosed first floor, and color concepts in

CHAMBER DATELINE Berkley What: Berkley Art Bash, sponsored by the chamber When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 11 Where: On June 11, 12 Mile Road from Wakefield to Tyler will be closed for the day. Chamber members are invited to display and sell their goods outside of their business during the Art Bash. There is no charge for Chamber members. What to expect: There will be more than 100 artists, with live music, food and kids activities.

Ferndale • What: Coffee Connection When: Tuesday, June 7, 8-9 a.m. Where: Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220 Description: Semi-monthly event. This structured networking event combines time for open networking, as well as an opportunity for attendees to introduce themselves to the group for 30-45 seconds each. This event is free to members and first-time guests, $10 for repeating non-members. • What: New Member Orientation When: Friday, June 10, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Where: Ferndale Area Chamber Office, 407 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220 Description: Attendees will receive a new member packet and will learn about the various programs the Chamber offers to help our members save money, learn and promote themselves. If you have a laptop, you are encouraged to bring it. Space is limited so please RSVP in advance. • On Tuesday, June 14, Gage Products Company will present the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce 34th Annual Golf Outing at: Rattle Run Golf Course, 7163 St. Clair Highway, St. Clair. Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by orientation at 9:30, shotgun start at 10, lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner and awards at 4:30 p.m. This year, the Chamber has partnered with Challenge Cup to offer a unique new golf outing format based loosely on the format of the Ryder Cup. Teams of 10-12 golfers will be formed, creating better networking, the feeling of a more professionally run outing and an opportunity for novice golfers to be part of winning the coveted trophy. Pricing and sign up can still be by individuals or foursomes, but this new format allows opportunity for businesses to sponsor one of six to eight teams. This year’s annual Golf Outing Charity Partner is the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Oakland County. A portion of the proceeds

from each registered golfer will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club. To learn more about the club, go to www.boysandgirlsclubs.us to learn more. Contact the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce a 407 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220 or by phone at (248) 542-2160. • What: A chamber night out “uncorked” When: Thursday, June 23, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Where: Cork, 23810 Woodward Ave, Pleasant Ridge, MI 48169 Description: Increase your knowledge while sampling wines selected by Cork’s beverage director, Jeffrey Mar, and signature appetizers from Pleasant Ridge’s own Cork. Participants will stroll leisurely between participating venues in Pleasant Ridge. At each location you’ll have the opportunity to sample one or two different wines and an appetizer specifically paired with it. Stay as long or as little as you like at each location. Take your time to shop at Vogue Vintage, peruse Cork’s wine shop or even get some styling tips from Lola. Cost to attend is $10 for members, $15 for non-members and includes appetizers and wine samples, courtesy of six sponsors. Additional beverages are available at Cork with a cash bar. RSVP at events@ferndalechamber.com and reference June 23. Check in and pay at Cork. You’ll be given a stamp to show at the other locations.

Royal Oak

Volunteers are still needed for Clay, Glass & Metal (June 11-12) and the Antique & Garage Sale (July 16-17). There are many different shifts and jobs that need help to be filled. Please contact Jennifer at jenniferc@royaloakchamber.com or call her at (248) 547-4000 for more information. • What: Chamber Coffee When: 8 a.m. June 10 Where: Know Advertising Event is free to members and prospective members. No RSVP required.

Southfield • What: Wake up to Southfield - Networking When: Wednesday, June 8, 7:45 - 9 a.m. Where: New location - Southfield Chamber of Commerce, 17515 W. Nine Mile, Southfield, MI 48075 Free to all members. Bring a guest. • What: BNG - networking When: Friday, June 10, 8-9 a.m. Where: 20700 Civic Center Drive, Ste 170, Southfield Attend the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Group and meet other professionals that want to send you business.

the decor of the new building. The Ferndale Cantina Diablo’s is in a building along Troy Street which Kramer already owned and could have sold, but chose to refurbish as a complement to Rosie O’Grady’s. “My dad always taught me, ‘Never sell an appreciating asset,’” Kramer said. “I got to ‘practice a concept (in Ferndale), iron out the wrinkles,’” Combined with the recent opening of the Emagine Theatre, it’s hard to recall greater optimism regarding new businesses in such a short period of time, according to Shelly Kemp, executive director of the Royal Oak Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s beautiful,” Kemp said. “You’ve got the theater, which is bringing a lot of people in, and this is a great addition to the corner. I’m glad it’s not remaining empty. “The best part is (Kramer) is back in Royal Oak. That’s awesome. His roots are Royal Oak.” Mayor Jim Ellison said the beauty of the building is beyond the expectations he had when giving the concept an approving vote on the City Commission. He anticipates the re-opening of the building marks a return to the “hay day of this being a very busy corner.” skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2047

MILESTONES Making advances Advance Auto Parts Inc., an automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories and maintenance items, has announced it will open its first store in Southfield at 20390 West Eight Mile Road on Monday. Company officials said they chose this location for the store because it’s convenient to where their customers live and shop, as well as near the garages where they take their vehicles for repair. Aaron Johnson is the general manager and works with 11 other team members there. A 10-year veteran of the automotive and retail sales industries, The new store offers customers a wide range of parts and recognized national brands as well as several free services. Store team members will install windshield wipers for free, and also install batteries following a complimentary check of the vehicle’s electrical system and old battery. The store offers fast parts delivery to local commercial customers, such as professional mechanics and garages, according to a press release. Customers also can drop off used motor oil and batteries for recycling, ensuring that these materials don’t end up in landfills where they could harm the environment. Vehicle know-how is made easier than ever by Advance helping customers master their machines. The company’s web site, www. AdvanceAutoParts.com, offers articles, online videos and audio and video podcasts in the web site’s “Advance Know-How” section. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Now open A ribbon cutting and grand opening was expected to be held last Friday for Nyla Motley, 22751 Woodward Ave, Ferndale. The event was attended by members of the Ferndale Area Chamber and Ferndale DDA at the new women’s boutique

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SUNDAY, June 5, 2011

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COMMUNITY VOICE

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Education not a seasonal concern This week marks the start of graduation season. All across the area, seniors are going through the process of leaving high school and entering “the real world.” For the majority of students in this area, it really means transferring to another school venue, albeit a much different one, as they head to college. Some will stay local, but many will head out of state. In any case, we wish them well. These are not easy times to be a graduate of any sort, whether it be from high school or college. Our economy has been shaken badly, the worst since the Great Depression, by the recent and lingering recession. Jobs in professions that once called to people, like teaching and, alas, journalism, virtually have withered. These days, it seems the only professions that are still hiring are in the medical field or high-tech services. Even so, there is no substitute for a good education, and the students from this area are fortunate in having the opportunity to receive a first-rate education. The Berkley schools have been recognized as among the finest public schools in the nation. That’s saying a lot considering the challenges they face in these days of declining resources. Southfield school officials also point out that all schools have made adequate yearly progress status. In the Ferndale district, University High School students profit from a working relationship with Lawrence Technological University. We also should not overlook the exceptional private schools, such as Southfield Christian and Akiva. But not to be forgotten are the many students who have successfully completed alternative high school programs that have prepared them to continue their education or become effective in the work world. The students here have been given outstanding opportunities to go into the world with the tools for a successful life. No one can predict how well they will make use of those tools and how they will fare, but they have a better chance at success, thanks to the parents who support those schools both financially and by becoming actively involved. Thanks also should go out to the staffs who make the students’ interests their top priority. This is also a good time for parents to consider just how fine the schools here are and appreciate them. Public schools in Michigan today are hurting. They have faced severe cuts in per-pupil spending, and the promises of Proposal A supposedly guaranteeing them equitable funding have been shredded by lying politicians. Yet they have managed to deliver outstanding services. Whether that will last remains to be seen. That viewpoint needs to be in focus for all of us, not just those who have graduates marching across the stage in a local gym, Meadowbrook or Chene Park. So while our thoughts mainly are with the students today, concern over our schools is never out of season.

With all of the spring storms taking place across the United States, especially in the country’s mid-section, do you worry about a tornado touching down in metro Detroit? The question was asked at the Ferndale Public Library.

“I’m from the Philadelphia, (New) Jersey area, and we don’t get tornados there. There has been a lot going on lately so you never know what happens.” Darryl Wayman

“I do worry about that because so “Yes, I am worried. (A tornado) many (tornados) go on now around could strike any minute. You never the world. We are just blessed not know what will happen.” to be hit.” Linda Wilson Lisa Wilson Ferndale Ferndale

Ferndale

“I’ve been down in Texas and I’m glad we don’t have any of (Texas’ weather) here. I don’t want any tornados or floods. I don’t want any of that ‘drama.’” Penelope Thompson Ferndale

LETTERS Kevorkian reflection

With the passing of Jack Kevorkian this morning, I recall my only encounter with him. About 17 years ago, I was on the program committee of the Michigan Society for Healthcare Planning & Marketing and we were trying to set-up a debate with Dr. K and Dr. Howard Brody, a medical ethicist at MSU. Since I had a remote connection with Dr. K’s attorney at the time, I was assigned the task of inviting Dr. K to the debate. After a frustrating game of telephone tag with his attorney, I decided to call Kevorkian directly at his apartment above the old Mr. B’s in downtown Royal Oak. We had a good chat but he politely declined the invitation. At the end of our conversation, I asked Dr. K, “Since your number’s listed in the phone book, do you get many crank or threatening calls?” He laughed and loudly said, “You know, I never thought about it because I’ve never — ever! — got one call like that! It shows you how much people are behind what I’m doing!” Alex Cooper Principal The Cooper Group

Respect different views

In response to Tess Habermann’s letter, I would like to begin by stating that I am in complete agreement with her regarding the education provided at North Farmington High School. My three kids attending NFHS have benefited greatly with tremendous teachers, the music department, the athletic opportunities and various extracurricular clubs. I have nothing but the

WHAT DO YOU THINK? We welcome your Letter to the Editor. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. We ask your letters be 400 words or less. We may edit for clarity, space and content. Submit letters via the following formats. E-mail: sarmbruster@hometownlife.com. Read or comment online: www.hometownlife.com Deadline: Letters must be received by 10 a.m. Thursday to be published in the Sunday edition. Blog: You may also let your opinions be heard with your own blog at www.hometownlife.com. utmost respect for the loving and talented staff members who come into daily contact with my kids. I, too, have a love for the diversity that Farmington Schools represent. I have lived in Farmington Hills for almost 38 years, and I know firsthand how this community has grown from the many different cultural experiences its residents have embraced through the years. Never did I say that school is merely a place for academics. My letter stated that the GayStraight Alliance club has the right to form a group and celebrate their common agenda within the group. My daughters belong to groups at NFHS that offer them chances to further explore

their interests outside of their daily required classes, and I am grateful these opportunities exist. What I did say is that promotion of a student’s sexual preferences, inside of the high school, during regular hours, should not be allowed. Can you imagine if NFHS promoted a day for those who are “straight”? It would be equally as ludicrous because it has nothing to do with learning. Honestly, I am tired of hearing that if you are not gay, you are likely not tolerant of those who are gay. You would literally have to move to the moon to escape the constant reminders through TV, books, music, videos, etc., that living a gay life is as normal and acceptable as living a nongay life. It’s great that NFHS is an environment where a teenager can feel comfortable with who they are, but when the GSA promotes T-shirts and necklaces to be worn, they are promoting “see me first and foremost as being gay.” Are these kids smart, funny, artistic, curious, or are they just gay? Most kids don’t wake up wondering what they will learn about their peers’ sexuality at school that day. Most kids don’t want to know. Most kids don’t care. Because I believe that designated days to express one’s sexuality has no place in school, I am seen as appalling and disgusting. Perhaps Ms. Habermann needs to be more open-minded to those who have opposing viewpoints. As a former neighbor of mine, she would remember that freedom to express your opinion is one of the things that make our community of Farmington a great place to live. Carol Burke Farmington Hills

Dr. Kevorkian was passionate about helping the suffering BY GEOFFREY NELS FIEGER GUEST COLUMNIST

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Berkley High graduates from the Class of 2011 are on the move, but not before Supt. Michael Simeck tells them to “be humble but aggressive.”

Following up on a promise When he ran for county commissioner, former Ferndale Mayor Craig Covey promised to carry that city’s success in developing a progressive policy of inclusion to the county Board of Commissioners. Apparently, he is making good on that promise. Just days before Ferndale hosts the annual Motor City Pride weekend, which concludes Sunday, June 5, the Oakland County board recognized the event. Leading the way was Covey, who presented a proclamation to Ferndale’s Downtown Development Authority communications director, Chris Hughes, and to PRIDE co-chair Julia Music. They accepted the proclamation recognizing June as the month designated worldwide to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Movement 42 years ago, in June 1969 in New York. To show their support, members of the board took turns reading a portion of the proclamation, which also praised the many contributions of the gay/lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in Oakland County. Ferndale’s successes have enriched that community, and Covey’s leadership will benefit the county as it follows that example.

first met Dr. Jack Kevorkian on a sweltering Saturday afternoon in August 1990. He was about to be charged with the murder of his first patient, Janet Adkins. There, staring at me from across my desk, was a frail-looking man dressed in a powder blue Cardigan sweater. His sister, Margo, dressed in a wig and a house coat, was with him. I believed at first that Margo was the more commanding of the two, and initially Margo carried the conversation. The only unusual characteristic about Jack seemed to be his intensity. It didn’t take long to realize that this small Armenian physician was a giant man of courage and conviction. He was one of the most courageous men I have met in my lifetime. He was a rare human being — an individual who didn’t seek history, but made history. Dr. Jack Kevorkian as a human being was brilliant intellectually, opinion-

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger with his client Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who died Friday. ated and had a boundless energy for confronting social hypocrisy. I liked that. He was a perfect client for me. In another sense he was the most difficult challenge I ever faced. No one else — not governors, judges, prosecutors, not the media, rabbis or cardinals — no one else presented a greater challenge to me than Dr. Jack himself. It was not that he was self-destructive, but he was impatient with the pace of social change and he was absolutely convinced of the correctness of his actions.

In a matter of moments, he went from a disinterested participant in his own legal defense to a passionate advocate for suffering people. Before anyone even coined the phrase “assisted suicide,” he sat across from me and talked about what he did as though it was a right every patient had, and a duty every physician shared. Jack Kevorkian did what he believed to be right, and he had the moral conviction and the courage to stand up to constant threats of violence and imprisonment.

That is a rare human being. Together, we planned a defense of human rights, and he was more than willing to sacrifice himself for that cause. I wondered if the man sitting across from me knew what he was facing. He didn’t, but that wouldn’t matter. The one thing he did know was that he had a responsibility to relieve the suffering of his patients, and that was what he was going to do. Men like that change society — they make history. As the result of this little, Armenian doctor, patients are no longer left to suffer until they die. As a result of what Jack did, we now recognize the right of every person to self-determination based on their own conscience and without government interference. As the result of that fateful meeting, my life has been changed. For a moment in time, I was involved in changing the course of history. Bloomfield Hills attorney Geoffrey Fieger represented Jack Kevorkian in his most celebrated trials.

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LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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Nearly 400 Royal Oak High grads pick up diplomas ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak High School Commencement celebrated the graduation of 394 seniors who walked the stage Thursday night to pick up their diplomas inside the Ultimate Soccer facility in Pontiac. Among the nearly graduates were those who finished at the top of their class with Summa Cum Laude honors, including Dylan Davids, Rebecca Dubicki, Carolyn Grant, Madelyn Grant, William LeAnnais, Sarah Lewan, Mallory McAdams, Enxhi Merpeza, Matthew Metsker, Kayla Niner, Dominic Notarantonio, Nicole Pitchford, Abedin Sherifi, Samantha Shuert, Meta Stange, Elizabeth Sweeney, Rebecca Villerot and Kledia Xhelilaj.

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

Graduates applaud speakers at the ceremony last week.

Anthony Bonar bends his head as fellow graduate Olivia Adams moves the tassel on his cap.

Gina Saab offers her senior reflections.

Royal Oak High graduates celebrate the end of their high school education.

Parents and friends stand as graduates from Royal Oak High School file into Ultimate Soccer for ceremonies on Wednesday.

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Enxhi Merpeza receives her diplomas from school board Trustee Gary Briggs.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

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PHOTOS BY JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Berkley High School graduates applaud during the commencement Thursday at Meadow Brook Theatre’s Baldwin Pavilion.

BERKLEY

FROM PAGE A1

said they “divided loyalties” when they left their elementary school for one of the district’s two schools — Anderson or Norup International — then reunited as students in the high school. “Friends will always be a part of our lives,” she said. “Thank God for Skype!” She concluded the speech borrowing a line from Dr. Seuss, a reminder to take pride in their accomplishments: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Jeremy Neil Hermann, the Graduation Speech Contest winner, received a rousing ovation when he finished his address with a list of characteristics Berkley High graduates share. Anyone who has heard the new Chrysler commercials with the Eminem voiceovers could relate. “We are dreamers, doers, role models,” Hermann said. “We are the future, we are Berkley High School, Class of 2011, and ‘This is what we do!’” Addressing graduates as salutatorians were Daniel Herschel Ferman and Nicole Samara Lieberman. Lieberman said support from parents is invaluable, whether the subject at hand is serious or light-hearted. “Thank your for your support, without which we could not stand, and your jokes, which we could not stand,” she said, drawing the biggest laugh of the night. Lieberman drew upon pop culture to remind graduates they’ve accomplished something great and that there’s still more to conquer. “Because we live in the world of ‘Modern Family,’ ‘Don’t stop believing’ and ‘Let’s get this party started!’” Lieberman said. School board President Marc Katz, retiring after 21 consecutive years on the board, handed out diplomas. Summa cum laude graduates included: Jacob Matthew Allemon, Benjamin Irvin Aronovitz, Mariya Berkovich, Emma Caslyn Bunin, Keara Emily Campbell-Fox, Cameron Henry Charlton, Kieffer Christian Donnelly, Maya Jo Edery, Daniel Herschel Ferman, Julia Michelle Feygin, Matthew Adam Germaine, Megan Elizabeth Gilson, Kyle Thomas Goldberg, Molly Hope Goldsmith, Tamara Elyse Greenberg, Sarah Palmer Greenwood, Jordan Meridith Hood, Mark James Hurley, Yona Eden Isaacs, Joylene-Alena Mary Jabboori, Paige Katherine Jones, Brianna Irene Kline, Thomas Benjamin Enrique Knoppe, Nicholas Paul Landgraf, Nicole Samara Lieberman, Elizabeth Rose Lyons, Eric Munro Mayes, Faye Erin Mendelson, Michael Joseph Michalak, Erin Ann Michonski, Melissa Anais Monier, Elizabeth Nicole Moses, Joseph Alan Ostrow, Gabriella Elana Ring, Matthaeus Andreas Saavedra, Emily Louise Shamma, Jordan Rachel Shifman, Michael Craig Sleeman, Benjamin Eli Smith-Helman, Gregory Michael Sollish, Ariel Marissa Starr, Alex Reid Steinberg, Stephen Thomas Tryban, Maxwell Kenneth Unger, Emily Nicole Posner Wedes, Alana Danielle Wolf, Moriah Lee Young. skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2047

Alexander Boyce, Madeline Bonfils and Jessica Boggio are happy with what they’re hearing during the Berkley High School Commencement Program.

Class of 2011 graduate DeShaun Boyer has on shades as he hears about a bright future during the Berkley High School Commencement Thursday at Meadow Brook Theatre’s Baldwin Pavilion.

Berkley High School Principal Randall P. Gawel addresses the Class of 2011 graduates.

Class of 2011 graduates at Berkley High School received their diplomas on the Baldwin Pavlion stage at Meadow Brook Theatre. Michael Simeck, superintendent, tells graduates to be humble, but aggressive.

Alexander Boyce listens to a talk coming from the Baldwin Pavilion stage.

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EDUCATION

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

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New school superintendent plans on being a neighbor, too ROYAL OAK — Shawn LewisLakin may have the chance to host a house warming in Royal Oak before he takes over as the school district’s new superintendent. Lewis-Lakin, the superintendent of Manchester Community Schools for the last four years, said he recently sold his home in Chelsea, near Ann Arbor, and is in the “process of purchasing” a home in Royal Oak. Lewis-Lakin and his wife, Barbara, lived the last 10 years in Chelsea, a district in which he served as principal and assistant principal between 2001-2007. Becoming a homeowner in Royal Oak, he said, is just as exciting to him as being the district’s new schools leader, effective July 1. “We are, as a family, tremendously excited about relocating to the city of Royal Oak,” LewisLakin said. “The position I have, the home we made for ourselves in Chelsea have been excellent. We’re drawn to Royal Oak by the opportunity I have professionally and also the quality of the community.” Lewis-Lakin’s three-year contract will pay him a base salary of $150,000 in the first year, plus a $15,000 tax-deferred annuity, while also covering up to $10,000 in moving expenses, according to School Board President Gary Briggs. That Lewis-Lakin is moving into the city shows his commitment to serve long term, Briggs said. “He’s going to be able to get to know the community, live here, make an investment here,” Briggs said. “I think it’s great.” Lewis-Lakin’s contract, which has an option to extend beyond three years, based on performance, evaluation and school board approval, also requires 20 percent payment of his health care premiums, Briggs said. The yearly base salary is about $20,000 less than the current

salary of Thomas Moline, who announced his retirement after six years, effective June 30. Moline had a similar taxdeferred annuity and also received a $7,500 yearly car allowance, which Lewis-Lakin does not have, according to Briggs. Moline also paid significantly less in health care costs, according to Briggs. Lewis-Lakin’s base salary is approximately $27,000 more than what he is making in his fourth year as Manchester’s superintendent, he said. He said he also paid nothing in health care costs during his four years in Manchester. Had he stayed, he anticipated paying 20 percent of his health care costs, which is what he is asking unions to pay as the Manchester district’s chief negotiator, he said.

“We’re negotiating with everyone in the (Manchester) district and doing it with an eye toward 20 percent (payment of) health care premiums,” LewisLakin said. “Twenty percent is really a very-low amount when you look at premium sharing for employees, generally. Most national surveys show employees pay up to a third for employee-based health care. My paying 20 percent is very reasonable as far as expectations of an employee and premium sharing.” A staff relations committee comprised of Briggs and fellow School Board members Michael Hartman and Deb Anderson negotiated the contract with Lewis-Lakin. The contract, unanimously approved by the School Board

at the May 12 public meeting, is expected to save the district at least $100,000 over the next three years compared to the last three years on Moline’s contract, according to Briggs. Briggs said the health care savings was easier to bargain than expected. “(Lewis-Lakin) actually said he wanted to pay 20 percent (of his health care premiums) before we had a chance to discuss,” Briggs said. “I thought that was good because we were hoping to go there anyway. “Our goal was to get some relatively substantial savings. The contract (the district) made with Tom (Moline) six years ago was when times were a little better than they are now.” skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2047

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2 more charged in Royal Oak home invasion ring

ROYAL OAK — Public safety officers in Royal Oak, Berkley and Southfield collaborated May 27 to solve another piece of a puzzle regarding alleged home invasions in the neighborhood west of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. At 3:30 p.m., Royal Oak Police Department officers were monitoring a Troy Police Department radio frequency and overheard a Be On the Lookout (BOL) for male and female retail fraud suspects

Scott Overfield

Jessica Squarcia

driving a green Oldsmobile, according to a report from the Royal Oak Police Department. Officers were aware the suspects matched a BOL from Royal Oak’s jurisdiction for

their alleged involvement in a string of home invasions with Devone Winbush, a 21-year-old Southfield man charged last month with home invasion, second degree, and attempted home invasion, second degree, in 44th District Court in Royal Oak, according to the police report. Officers also knew the green Oldsmobile was registered to a home in Berkley, the police report said. Berkley Public Safety officers were notified of the suspected vehicle, and

shortly after, the vehicle and occupants were found and a traffic stop was made, according to the police report. The two suspects — a male and a female — were taken into custody by the Royal Oak Police Department for their suspected involvement in a string of Royal Oak home invasions, the police report said. The suspects reportedly gave confessions to Royal Oak Detective Keith Spencer, linking them to several Royal Oak

home invasions, according to the police report. Additionally, Spencer, with the assistance of the Southfield Police Department, conducted a search of a home in Southfield where the suspects live, the report said. At the Southfield home, police recovered multiple items allegedly stolen in the Royal Oak home invasions, according to the police report. The male suspect, 20year-old Scott Overfield, was charged with one count of

home invasion, first degree, at his arraignment in 44th District Court, according to the police report. The female suspect, 22year-old Jessica Squarcia, also a Southfield resident, was charged with one count of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at more than $1,000, according to the police report. Bond was set for Overfield at $10,000 and for Squarcia at $5,000, the police report said. — By Steve Kowalski

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SUNDAY, June 5, 2011

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SOCCER GREAT ALEXI LALAS TALKS ABOUT GROWING UP IN THIS AREA PAGE B4

The end of the road

It was a tough afternoon on the pitch in Macomb County for a pair of Oakland County-based girls soccer teams Thursday afternoon. In a Division 1 district semifinal double-header played at Fraser High School, Grosse Pointe

North clipped Royal Oak, 2-1, in the first game and the host Ramblers followed with a 5-0 blanking of Berkley. The losses marked the end of the season for both the Ravens and Bears. Check out these 2011 wrapup stories.

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore Sean Lau has been one of Royal Oak’s top offensive players the past two seasons.

Ravens’ season a real ‘learning experience’ BY MARTY BUDNER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Royal Oak was eliminated from the state baseball tournament Tuesday after suffering a 9-5 extra-inning pre-district loss to Warren Cousino in a Division 1 game played at Warren Mott High School. While the Ravens finished with a 9-16 overall record, head coach Chris Lau called his first season at the helm a good learning experience. “It was not a total disaster,” said Lau, who took over the program this season after four years as an assistant coach. “It was kind of an up-and-down season. “I hate to use the weather as an excuse, but we just never were able to get into a flow or get into a groove this spring. So it was kind of tough from that standpoint. “And, I found out that organization is a big part of it,” he said. “There’s a lot more going on as the head coach than what I did as an assistant. But, we will all learn from this year and move on.” The highlight of Royal Oak’s season was second-place finishes in all four of the tournaments in which it played. Please see BASEBALL, B2

PHOTOS BY JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior goalie Colleen Schuldeis, who missed two games recently with a hand injury, played well in Thursday’s tough one-goal loss to Grosse Pointe North.

Royal Oak suffers tough 2-1 defeat to North BY MARTY BUDNER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

BY MARTY BUDNER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Please see DEANE, B2

Disc golf clinics

A pair of free Disc golf clinics are scheduled for later this month. The clinics, sponsored by Play it Again Sports of Clawson, are set for 10:30 a.m. June 18 at Raintree Park in Troy and 10:30 a.m. June 25 at Black Locust Course inside Kensington Metropark in Milford. Each clinic will be conducted by pro Disc players John Minicuci (Troy) and Mark Ellis (Milford). “We’d like everyone to get involved, so in that spirit we are offering these free clinics,” said Brian Kean, owner of Play It Again Sports. “It’ll appeal to players of all skill levels — from beginners and novices to seasoned players looking to improve their tosses or just dust off the rust from the long winter.” Kensington Metropark hosts the annual Amateur Disc Golf Championship Competition each June. There are more than 100 Disc golf courses in Michigan and numerous leagues have been formed. For more information on the clinics, call 248-3660388.

State tournaments

Deane was a ‘visionary leader’ at Seaholm Nick Deane did not have the opportunity to officially call a play as Birmingham Seaholm’s head football coach. But, there’s no doubt he made a huge impact on the program. Mr. Deane, 52, who was named head coach just last December, died of an apparent heart attack Monday evening at his home. “Despite the fact he did not serve a single day on the sidelines as a head coach, it’s unbelievable the influence he still had on all the kids,” said Seaholm athletic director Aaron Frank. “Because he was an assistant here, the kids knew him well and had so much respect for Deane him. He was a magnetic personality. The kids were really ready to work for him, perform for him and follow his leadership. “He was so excited to assume the reins as head coach,” he said. “He came out with both feet and worked so hard from the first day we was named as Seaholm’s head football coach.” Mr. Deane had instituted a number of new programs to get the Seaholm program under way, including “One Maple” (to help player and coach development), Strength and Speed sessions and a “Leadership Academy” (to help

SIDELINES

Junior captain Kacey Lawniczak played a key role as a center-mid this season for a young Royal Oak soccer squad.

Considering Royal Oak played all season in the rugged Oakland Activities Association Red Division against the likes of state powers Troy Athens, Rochester Adams, Lake Orion and Auburn Hills Avondale, the Ravens were well prepared for district action. Royal Oak opened with an easy 6-0 victory over Warren Mott. However, the Ravens faced a much tougher Grosse Pointe North squad in the semifinal round and suffered a tough 2-1 defeat. North took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by freshman Phoebe Dodge. The Ravens tied it up at 1-all 10 minutes into the second half on a goal by sophomore Kayla Linstruth off a free kick and it appeared the game was headed into overtime. However, with less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation, North

‘When you’re playing against teams in that elite group (OAA Red Division) you take pride when you can compete at their level. That was our ultimate goal and I thought we managed to do that.’ KEVIN ROBB, Royal Oak girls soccer head coach

sophomore Paige Micks netted the eventual game-winning goal. “We were a bit cautious at the beginning of the game and we got down by a goal,” said Royal Oak head coach Kevin Robb. “But, I thought we came out and dominated the second half. We were playing well, but they scored on a counterattack and we never recovered. I thought their keeper played a real fine game as she made some great saves against us. “I didn’t think we played our best Please see SOCCER, B2

Berkley ends with winning record despite injury bug BY MARTY BUDNER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Berkley opened the Division 1 girls soccer district playoff tournament with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Warren Cousino on Tuesday. The Bears couldn’t match that excitement in the semifinals against host Fraser on Thursday, falling 5-0. The Ramblers scored four first-half goals — two in a four-minute span during the game’s opening 12 minutes. The Bears were a bit more forceful in the second half, but the only scoring came by Fraser with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Berkley played without three

‘I was impressed with what we were able to do this year with all of our injuries, being so young and being in the top division of the OAA. It’s tough, but we have a bright future and a lot of players coming back.’ CLIFF BRANDMIER, Berkley girls soccer head coach

injured starters and lost goalie Julie Shields early-on against Fraser. The Bears could not overcome that loss of power against the Ramblers. “(Fraser is) really disciplined and hard working, and we didn’t come out and put the effort in that we

needed to match theirs,” said Berkley head coach Cliff Brandmier. “And with all the injures we have and with us losing our goaltender early, it was just kind of a recipe of disaster for us. They are a heck of a team and played really well.” Berkley finished with a 12-9-2 overall record despite not having played without starters Samantha Munoz, a junior, and Emily Koerner and Madison Murray, both freshmen. The team’s leading scorers this spring were junior forward Stephanie Miller (16 goals and 12 assists) and forward Katie Murphy (11 goals, Please see BERKLEY, B2

The Michigan High School Athletic Association will continue to sponsor state tournaments this week across Michigan. The state boys and girls lacrosse tournaments conclude this week with semifinal and final games. On June 11, Troy Athens will host the girls state finals (2 p.m. Division 2; 4:30 p.m. Division 1) while Birmingham Seaholm will be the site of the boys lacrosse state championships (2 p.m. Division 1; 4:30 p.m. Division 2). Baseball and softball regionals are set for June 11 in four different divisions. Novi High School will be the site of a Division 1 regional which will include the Birmingham Groves district champion. The state soccer tournament continues this week with regional play in four divisions. Bloomfield Hills Andover will host a Division 2 tournament and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep will be the site of a Division 3 regional. Birmingham Marian, the defending D-2 state champion, was eliminated last week in a shoot-out by Auburn Hills Avondale. In boys golf, Bloomfield Hills Andover will host a scheduled Division 2 regional tournament at Heather Highlands on June 9. A number of area Division 1 teams will participate in the scheduled regional at Lyon Oaks Golf Club hosted by Catholic Central on June 9. For more information on any of these tournament, see the MHSAA web site at www. mhsaa.com.

Fencing tourney

The Renaissance Fencing Club will host the ‘Summer Nationals Warm Up’ on June 11. The event is designed to prepare Michigan fencers who are traveling to Reno, Nevada for the 2011 nationals. The ‘Warm- Up’ tournament, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is open to the public and knowledgeable volunteers will be available to answer any questions spectators may have. For more information, call the Renaissance Fencing Club at 248-9300747.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

DEANE FROM PAGE B1

players learn such skills as leadership, responsibility and performance). Mr. Deane was well aware of the important position Seaholm football holds in the Birmingham community. He appreciated the history of the Seaholm/Groves rivalry, the popularity of Friday night football at Maple Field and the tradition of Maple Nation and the maroon block “S.” “It’s a huge loss to the entire Birmingham Seaholm community,” said Frank. “Nick was a visionary leader who not only inspired the kids and coaches, but laid out an exciting future for the Birmingham Seaholm football program. He will be missed.” Mr. Deane attended Central Michigan University where

he majored in business and industrial psychology. His previous coaching stops were at Grosse Ile, Naples (Florida) and Troy. At Troy High School, he served for 14 years with longtime head coach Gary Griffith as a varsity assistant working with the offensive line and special teams. Mr. Deane left Troy in 2009 to take a job as Seaholm’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Chris Fahr. When Fahr resigned after the 2010 season, Mr. Deane was one of 28 candidates for the head coaching job. He survived the four-week process and ultimately was named the school’s sixth head coach over the past 34 years and the 10th since Seaholm came into existence in 1961. Fahr said he first met Mr. Deane at a Christian all-sports coaching convention in Troy six years ago and the two men

became friends right away. “He was a tremendous man and an awesome human being. Coaching was just a small part of what he was all about,” said Fahr. “He related to the kids, but Nick even had this way of making grown-ups better. I know he made me a better person off the field as well as a coach on the field. “We shared the same vision of what a team should be and what coaching should be like,” he said. “He was a great family man and my heart breaks for them because I know how much they meant to him. It was a blessing getting to know him.” Mr. Deane worked 22 years at Ford Motor Co. and was a member of Woodside Bible Church in Troy. Mr. Deane is survived by his wife of 31 years, Tamari, and their four children — Joshua, Jared, Jordan and Moriah.

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior Lauren Jaslove (1) is one of many players who will return to the Royal Oak roster next spring.

SOCCER

FROM PAGE B1

game,” he said. “It was unfortunate that we just came up a little short.” Royal Oak played without senior captain Hannah Schario, a key center back who recently suffered a seasonending knee injury. “That was a big blow for us when we lost Hannah,” said Robb. “It was unfortunate because we rely on her leadership. We had to adapt.” The season-ending loss left Royal Oak with a 5-11-2 overall record, including a 1-10 mark in the OAA Red.

“We had a little team talk after the game (against North) and everyone felt that we had improved over the course of the year,” said Robb. “We played some very competitive teams in the OAA Red. We felt we competed with them all year and they really helped prepare us for the playoffs. “When you’re playing against teams in that elite group you take pride when you can compete at their level,” he said. “That was our ultimate goal and I thought we managed to do that.” Royal Oak’s leading scorers this season were freshman Sam Bartelotti and sophomore Mary LeAnnais. Besides Schario, Royal Oak’s other

captains who played leadership roles were junior center midfielder Kacey Lawniczak and senior goalie Colleen Schuldeis. Schuldeis had missed a couple of late-season games with a hand injury, but was back between the pipes against North. The Ravens will return next season with a load of experienced players, including Lawniczak. Schuldeis, Schario and Keara Scannell are the only seniors on this spring’s 22-player roster. “We’re disappointed that we lost, but we will return next year with a good group of players,” said Robb. “We only have three seniors and I think our future looks bright.”

PHOTOS BY JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Royal Oak senior Zach Mickus, sliding into second base during a game earlier this season, blasted a pair of home runs in an extra-inning playoff loss to Cousino on Tuesday.

BASEBALL FROM PAGE B1

The Ravens were runnersup at the Spring Break and Clarkston tournaments, and second in both the Jim Evans and Chuck Jones outings that they hosted. Lau said the team’s most consistent offensive performers this season were senior right fielder Kyle MacKenzie, junior shortstop/pitcher Dominic Valente and sophomore first baseman Sean Lau. In the playoff loss to Cousino, the Ravens blasted four home runs. Senior Zach Mickus pounded out a pair while sophomore Chad Skarjune and Lau each had one. Lau is encouraged by the fact most of his team will be returning next season. Of the 15 players on the varsity roster, only five of them are seniors (MacKenzie, Connor Bardo, Mickus,

BERKLEY FROM PAGE A1

five assists). Seniors Audrey Duncan and Murphy are fouryear players and Franziska Buckmayer is the third senior

Sophomore Blake German was one of 10 underclassmen on Royal Oak’s young varsity roster this spring. things for us is our pitching,” he said. “We’ll have to work on that over the summer and see where it takes us. But, we’ll have quite a few players coming back next year and that’s a good thing.”

Dan Palmateer and Peter Devera). “We did have a very young team this season,” said Lau. “It was tough for us because we never did get to that higher level of play. “I think one of the big

who will graduate. “We graduated 11 seniors last year, had a good year and won our district,” said Brandmier, in his third season at the helm. “We were ranked in the state and got bumped up to (the OAA Red Division) this year and had four or five fresh-

man all year on varsity. “I was impressed with what we were able to do this year with all of our injuries, being so young and being in the top division of the OAA,” he said. “It’s tough, but we have a bright future and a lot of players coming back.”

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PREP ROUNDUP Girls lacrosse BIRMINGHAM 15, GROSSE POINTE SOUTH 14: In a tightlyplayed regional semifinal game Wednesday at Troy, Birmingham’s Kathy Quigley connected for the gamewinning goal with less than two minutes remaining. It was Quigley’s second goal of the game. Gretchen Geist and Carly Signorello paced the offense with four goals each. Carrie Quigley scored twice while Sarah Feiten, Annie Sevec and Ava Stachelski each found the back of the net one time. Grace Halloran and Bailey Boese played strong defense in front of goalie Kate Leary who was called on to make three saves. The win lifted Birmingham (15-5-3 overall record) into the regional title game against arch rival Birmingham Marian (the game was scheduled for Friday evening, past this newspaper’s deadline). BIRMINGHAM 13, BLOOMFIELD UNITED 12: In a thrilling Division 1 state tournament regional opening clash, Birmingham slipped past Bloomfield United on May 27 by a single goal. Carly Signorello’s five-goal effort led the winners. Sarah Feiten and Ava Stachelski accounted for three and two goals, respectively. Single markers were netted by Julie Woo, Annie Sevec and Kathy Quigley. Birmingham goalie Kate Leary made 20 saves. Bailey Boese and Hailee Schuele were credited with strong defensive games. For Bloomfield, Armani Hawes finished with a game-high six goals. Margaret Metzger contributed four goals while Anna Servo and Kristen Allen each scored once. Servo had five recovered ground balls and Maddie Monahan and Elena Miller had strong defensive games. Bloomfield goalie Kelli Jackson made seven saves. Bloomfield concluded its season with a 10-81 overall record. MARIAN 13, GROSSE POINTE NORTH 6: Senior Alessandra

Dietz and junior Antonia Violante each contributed three goals and an assist for Marian in this Division 1 regional semifinal victory Wednesday at Troy High School. In addition, senior Janie Obee had two goals and an assist while junior Daryn Packer finished with a goal and an assist. Senior Elise Lawley contributed defensively with four interceptions. North senior Mackenzie Seaman netted six goals.

Boys lacrosse BLOOMFIELD 13, MIDLAND 10: In a Division 1 regional playoff game played in Bloomfield Hills, the host squad survived a late rally by Midland to post this threegoal victory. Ben Guidos led the attack with four goals and an assist while Dan Cole contributed four goals. Keegan Kelly finished with three goals and Brandon Labe scored twice. Max Smith was credited with three assists and Nick DiMaggio had one assist. Bloomfield goalie Ari Cicurel had a strong game in goal with a 52 percent save percentage. CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 12, DEXTER 3: Cranbrook Kingswood held a 5-2 halftime lead and had a strong second half to capture this triumph in a Division 2 regional game played Tuesday. Ethan Weiss led the Crane offense with four goals and one assist. Taylor Ghesquiere, Stefan Withrow and Matthew Giampetroni each registered two goals. Christopher Brown had a goal and three assists. The regional championship game was scheduled for Friday evening against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

Baseball GROVES 6, WEST BLOOMFIELD 5: In a game played on May 27, Groves slipped past West Bloomfield by a run. Wes McCann delivered a walk-off game-winning hit — a single that scored Jake Balicki

— in the bottom of the seventh inning. McCann had blasted a two-run home run earlier in the game. Balicki smacked a three-run home run. Balicki struck out a dozen batters in 6.1 innings of work. Mike Mestdagh pitched to West Bloomfield’s final three batters and was credited with the victory. Groves hiked its record to 215 overall and gained a share of the OAA Central Division title with a 12-3 record.

Boys golf DIVISION 3 DISTRICT: Detroit Country Day captured the Division 3 district championship Thursday at Holly Meadows Golf Club in Capac. The Yellowjackets scored a team total of 313 points, outdistancing Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (321) and Macomb Lutheran North (323). Individually, DCD senior Mike Zausmer tied for low medalist honors with Prep’s Aaron Knutson and North’s Chris Holmes. All three carded a two-under round of 70. Country Day’s other scorers were senior Tyler Murray (fourth with a 77), sophomore Preston Dooley (eighth with an 80) and freshman Rishi Patel (86). Lake Fenton (331), Richmond (345) and Imlay City (347) rounded out the top six in team scoring. All six teams are now qualified for the Division 2 regional set for Thursday at the Fortress in Frankenmuth. CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 161, COUNTRY DAY 163: State-ranked Cranbrook Kingswood slipped past Detroit Country Day by two strokes Tuesday afternoon at Franklin Hills. Senior captain Mike Zausmer was match medalist with a twounder round of 34. Clark Griffith was low scorer for CK with a 39. Zausmer has enjoyed a standout season for the Yellowjackets, including winning the last three tournaments in which he participated. — the East Lansing and Grosse Ile invitationals, plus the Division 3 district.

Seniors sign on

A trio of Birmingham Marian seniors recently signed college national letters of intent. They include (sitting left to right) Victoria Sollestre (University of Detroit Mercy for soccer), Claire Schelske (Tulane University for swimming) and Danielle Mazur (University of Michigan for soccer). The proud parents watching the proceedings are (standing left to right) Annaliza Sollestre, Mary and John Schelske and Stephan and Susan Mazur.

TRACK RESULTS 2011 AMBROSE/ECCENTRIC TRACK AND FIELD RELAYS (May 31 at Farmington) TEAM RESULTS: 1. Birmingham Brother Rice, 88; 2. Farmington, 78; 3. Novi Catholic Central, 67; 4. Troy, 45; 5. Waterford Mott, 35; 6. Southfield, 29; 7. Birmingham Seaholm, 15; 8. Troy Athens, 14; 9. (tie) Southfield-Lathrup, North Farmington, Bloomfield Hills Andover, Rochester, Southfield Christian, Farmington Harrison, Birmingham Groves, Hartland, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills Lahser, did not score. EVENT RESULTS 800-METER RELAY: 1. Farmington, 1:29.51; 2. Catholic Central, 1:32.26; 3. Brother Rice, 1:32.60; 4. Southfield, 1:32.70; 5. Waterford Mott, 1:34.39; 6. Troy, 1:35.97. 6,400-METER RELAY: 1. Farmington (Kevin Pitt, David Hong, Drew Lindman, Andrew Brown), 19:10.20; 2. Catholic Central, 20:12.10; 3. Brother Rice, 20:33.40; 4. Seaholm, 20:41.80; Troy, 20:43.90. SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY: 1. Troy (Danny Wunderlich, Eric Robertson, Jaleal Lockhart, William Yau), 3:43.72; 2.

Brother Rice, 3:46.22; 3. Farmington, 3:53.40; 4. Waterford Mott, 3:54.14; 5. Catholic Central, 3:56.63; 6. Troy Athens, 4:00.69. 3,200-METER RELAY: 1. Brother Rice (Pat Nodland, Spencer Swies, Joe Krause, Matt Franklin), 8:43.90; 2. Troy, 8:51.40; 3. Catholic Central, 9:05.90; 4. Farmington, 9:21.30; 5. Waterford Mott, 9:27.02; 6. Seaholm, 9:33.32. SHUTTLE HURDLE RELAY: 1. Brother Rice (Kahlil DuPerry, Matt Ogren, Dorian Reid, Brian Roney), 1:01.93; 2. Farmington, 1:02;75; 3. Waterford Mott, 1:07.97; 4. Troy Athens, 1:10.28; 5. Troy, 1:13.46; 6. Seaholm, 1:21.51. DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY: 1. Brother Rice (Jay Woods, Pat Nodland, Torin Wile, Thomas Girardot), 11:24.56; 2. Seaholm, 11:30.63; 3. Farmington, 11:38.01; 4. Troy, 11:43.40; 5. Waterford Mott, 11:46.75; 6. Catholic Central, 12:20.56. 400-METER RELAY: 1. Brother Rice (Zach Lowe, Jon Budiongan, Devin Church, Conor Hart), 44.08; 2. Southfield, 44.83; 3. Troy, 45.40; 4. Catholic Central, 45.51; 5. Farmington, 46.13; 6. Waterford Mott, 47.30.

1,600-METER RELAY: 1. Catholic Central, 3:28.41; 2. Farmington, 3:28.62; 3. Southfield, 3:29.14; 4. Brother Rice, 3:30.69; 5. Troy, 3:48.52; 6. Waterford Mott, 3:51.82. DISCUS RELAY: 1. Catholic Central (M. Becker, George Darary, S. Monarch), 430-feet, 3-inches; 2. Farmington, 3886; 3. Waterford Mott, 363-9; 4. Brother Rice, 354-0; 5. Troy, 330-6; 6. Troy Athens, 287-6. HIGH JUMP RELAY: 1. Southfield (Brandon Jarmon, Brandon Bean, Chris Phillips), 18-feet, 8-inches; 2. Farmington, 17-11; 3. Waterford Mott, 178; 4. Brother Rice, 16-3; 5. Troy, 16-3; 6. Seaholm, 15-6. LONG JUMP RELAY: 1. Catholic Central (A. Darkangelo, Drake Freeman, S. Wyatt), 55-feet, 6.50-inches; 2. Troy Athens, 55-3; 3. Brother Rice, 54-11.50; 4. Troy, 54-4; 5. Farmington, 53-3.50; 6. Waterford Mott, 53-0. SHOT PUT RELAY: 1. Brother Rice (Austin Echols, Dylan Anderson, Levi Richards), 147-feet, 0-inches; 2. Catholic Central, 141-8; 3. Farmington, 137-9.75; 4. Waterford Mott, 12-6.75; 5. Troy, 1223.50; 6. Southfield, 120-4.

Summer Summer Reading Reading Programs Programs Baldwin Public Library Registration begins 6/17/11 1-5pm Meet Scoop from 1-5pm 300 West Merrill Street Birmingham, MI 48009 Phone: (248) 647-7339

Ferndale Public Library Registration begins 6/18/11 12-5pm Meet Scoop from 1-3pm 222 East Nine Mile Road Ferndale, MI 48220 Phone: (248) 546-2504

Berkley Public Library Registration begins 6/20/11 10am-8pm 3155 Coolidge Highway Berkley, MI 48072 Phone: (248) 658-3440

Franklin Public Library Registration begins 6/13/11 11am-6pm 32455 Franklin Road Franklin, MI 48025 Phone: (248) 851-2254

Blair Memorial Library Registration begins 6/17/11 9am-5pm 416 North Main Street Clawson, MI 48017 Phone: (248) 588-5500 Bloomfield Township Public Library Registration begins 6/13/11 6-8pm Meet Scoop from 6-8pm 1099 Lone Pine Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 Phone: (248) 642-5800

Royal Oak Public Library

Registration begins 6/11/11 10am-6pm

Meet Scoop from 10am-2pm 222 East Eleven Mile Road Royal Oak, MI 48068 Phone: (248) 246-3700

Southfield Public Library Registration begins 6/1/11 9:30 am-9pm Meet Scoop 6/8/11 from 6:30-8:30pm 26300 Evergreen Road Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: (248) 796-4200

Local M Local Matters a t t e r s ~SHOP ~SHOP L LOCAL! OCAL!

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

LOCAL SPORTS

online at hometownlife.com

Lalas kicks around a number of soccer topics BY MARTY BUDNER ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Alexi’s his name and soccer’s his game. Birmingham native Alexi Lalas is never at a loss for words, especially when it comes to soccer. That’s why the 1988 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook graduate is one of the top soccer studio analysts for the ESPN and ABC networks these days. Lalas was at Ford Field recently making his pitch for the upcoming 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament which takes place in 13 stadiums and 11 cities around the country this month. Ford Field will be the site of an opening-round doubleheader on Tuesday, June 7, featuring the U.S. National Team against Canada at 8 p.m. It marks the first U.S. National Team appearance since 1994 when it played a World Cup game at the Pontiac Silverdome. Lalas played in that 1994 game — a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. The 6 p.m. opener includes Panama against Guadeloupe. Lalas, who now lives in Los Angeles, not only played soccer at the international (two Olympics and two World Cups) and professional levels (with Major League Soccer), but also learned the sport’s business side as a general manager. Lalas scored nine goals in 96 caps as a central defender during his storied career with the U.S. National Team. He played professionally with the New England Revolution (1996-97), New York MetroStars (1998), Kansas City Wizards (1999) and Los Angeles Galaxy (2000-04). Lalas was a member of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer championship team in 2002. Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006, Lalas also served as general manager for the San Jose

FILE PHOTO BY DAN DEAN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

In 1994, Alexi Lalas returned to his hometown as a member of the U.S. National team which played an opening-round World Cup game at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Alexi Lalas learned his soccer skills as a youth player around the fields of Birmingham, then went on to excel in the sport at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook High School and Rutgers University. Earthquakes, MetroStars and Galaxy. Lalas frankly kicked around the following soccer thoughts during his hometown visit: THE U.S. VS. CANADA GAME “Seventeen years is far too long for this area to go without a world-class game. (We want) the fans to come and watch this U.S. team play with the likes of Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard against a country that we have a tremendous history with and a rivalry with in Canada. We’d like nothing better than to beat up on our friends from the North, although we invite them all to come down here and to be nice and loud and come down here on a

wonderful, wonderful day for Detroit and Michigan soccer.” HOW BIG A GAME? “When we talk about international soccer, a lot of times we talk about friendly games. And those are all fine and well, but the reality is you want to see your national team play in games that mean something. The Gold Cup is a huge, huge tournament. It’s for the championship of our region — CONCACAF — which includes North America, Central American and the Caribbean. More importantly, the winner actually gets to go on and play in another tournament (the World Cup) that is hosted featuring the best from all around the world. So this

‘I can vividly remember Thursday nights getting together up at Cranbrook with people from all over the community and all over the area playing pick-up soccer against people that were older than me and people that were better than me. Unfortunately, we don’t see enough of that in today’s youth soccer culture.’ is a great opportunity for the United States team, not just to show the country, but to show the world that we continue to progress. And for people that are actually here to see the team playing in a competitive environment as they were last summer in the World Cup.” BEST MEMORIES AS A YOUTH PLAYING SOCCER “First things first. There is an incredible soccer history here. There is an incredible soccer community that exists here, and it has for a number of years, despite the fact we’re talking about this 17-year gap and the fact that we don’t necessarily have professional soccer associated with Detroit. Having said that, I grew up in Birmingham and I grew up playing all over the Metro Detroit area in the leagues, and mom and dad coaching, and orange peels and juice boxes at halftime and doing all that kind of stuff. But I also grew up in an environment that encouraged pick-up soccer. I can vividly remember Thursday nights getting together up at Cranbrook with people from all over the community and all over the area playing pick-up soccer against people that were older than me and people that were better than me. Unfortunately, we don’t see enough of that in today’s youth soccer culture. For me it was a wonderful experience to be able to grow up in a place that — yes we have other sports, but also accepted soccer. And, to be quite honest with you, it’s where I learned to play soccer and so I owe a tremendous amount in terms of my soccer career and soccer upbringing to Michigan soccer.” EXPOSURE TO PRO SOCCER AS A YOUTH “I went to Express games. I vividly remember playing a pre-game match, running around there as a kid and doing all that. That was my only exposure to professional soccer. I went a couple of times, but I didn’t see it consistently either at the stadium or on TV the way that they can now. And, also, at that point, the understanding that kids have now at an early age that this is an international game. They have their domestic teams that they follow, but they also have their teams abroad that they follow. That’s one of the things I love about soccer. It’s not just about the United States. It’s about the world. There’s a thread that goes through all of us, especially here in the United States.” HOW DOES AN EVENT LIKE THIS ADD TO THE MOMENTUM OF WORLD CUP SOCCER? “Well, we know every four years we have this bump, kind of like in the Olympics,

especially with a sport like soccer that is still continuing to get bigger and better but is certainly not at a level of some of the other sports. But what happened last summer (at the World Cup hosted by South Africa) for a lot of people, is, even in they weren’t into soccer, they grasped on to this team and the moments that this team created. Yeah, you try to use that and you try to build and we recognize there is going to be this spike every four years with the World Cup. But, if we created some more fans last summer and if this team — and a lot of them will be out here on this field — helped to create those moments that created those fans, you have to be able to capitalize on it. For a lot of people, this might be their reintroduction to this group of players as they go on because there’s another World Cup coming around — and it’s going to be in Brazil — and hopefully this team does bigger and better things and creates more of those moments that right now we are looking on as historical moments in terms of last summer.” THE IMPACT OF MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER “It’s huge. As much as we like to kick ourselves for what we haven’t done in North America with regards to soccer, we also have to pat ourselves on the back. What has happened — let’s take a look at the past 17 years since the World Cup in 1994 — has been unprecedented in terms of the growth. We have Major League Soccer which has established itself consistently now for the past 15, 16 years. We have new teams coming in, and this is not just in the United States. It’s in North America now with Toronto and Vancouver and Montreal coming into Major League Soccer. And to have that ability to get up every day and to look and to emulate players, not just someone who’s a thousand miles away in a different country or a different continent — but to actually have your own league means so much. I didn’t have that growing up and that was unfortunate. I’m glad to say that I was a part of it. But the youth of today, in terms of their soccer upbringing, with the facilities they have, with the coaching that they have, and with the ability to see quality soccer played at a high level either live by going to Ford Field or going to see an MLS game or watching it on TV, is so much more than I ever had when I was growing up.” CAN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER MAKE IT HERE? “I would love to see a Major League Soccer team here in Detroit. Having said that, I’ve been exposed maybe more so than other folks to the business realities of Major

‘When we talk about international soccer, a lot of times we talk about friendly games. And those are all fine and well, but the reality is you want to see your national team play in games that mean something. The Gold Cup is a huge, huge tournament.’

‘I would love to see a Major League Soccer team here in Detroit. Having said that, I’ve been exposed maybe more so than other folks to the business realities of Major League Soccer. To have a proper facility is key number one. Local ownership, I think, is also key. And deep pockets because this is not for the faint of heart.’ League Soccer. To have a proper facility is key number one. Local ownership, I think, is also key. And deep pockets because this is not for the faint of heart. Having said that, if those things came into being here I think there is a market. There is a community with a history and an understanding here. Also, with the economy the way it is, and certainly with Detroit and the difficulties this town has gone through over the past few years, you want to make sure that you’re prudent. And, while I might love soccer, I would not want soccer to be a part of anything that would have this area take any more hits. I think we’ve had enough.” STEPPING UP FOR A MLS SOCCER FRANCHISE IN DETROIT “There have always been different folks who have come up and said this is a possibility over the years. But, to be quite honest, despite my love for this area, and my belief that, if done right, it could succeed, there are plenty of other options out there right now. I do think the commissioner, Don Garber, nonetheless is very open minded when it comes to having people come into our league. And if you have good, quality ownership and people who have a vision and people who have local connections and roots, and, like I said before, people who are willing to recognize that you have to spend some money to make some money — and maybe for a long period of time — those are the types of things he would listen to. I’ll be honest with you, that has not come up in Detroit from any one person or any group of people.” ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT GOING BACK TO MANAGEMENT? “At some point. I was given an incredible opportunity at a very young age, and made plenty of mistakes along the way. So, when you go through something like that, you want the opportunity to learn from those and put what you have learned into action. We’ll see what happens.” MISSING THE MOTOR CITY “I live in Los Angeles. I don’t get back here very often. My family is not here. I miss it. I was heartbroken (when the Detroit Red Wings were eliminated in the Stanley Cup playoffs by the San Jose Sharks). I was watching my Red Wings, although I turned to my LA folks out there after the Lakers went down 3-0 in their NBA playoffs and then completely rolled over like a bunch of wusses, I turned and said watch what the Red Wings do. We might go down, but we’re going down fighting. I was proud of the way they battled back in this series, and disappointed that they didn’t go further.”

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL SPORTS TRACK RESULTS

2011 OAKLAND COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP MEET RESULTS (May 27 at Milford) BOYS TEAM RESULTS: 1. Novi Catholic Central, 75; 2. Detroit Country Day, 56; 3. Oxford, 44; 4. Walled Lake Central, 42; 5. Ferndale, 35; 6. West Bloomfield, 32; 7. Auburn Hills Avondale, 28; 8. Waterford Mott, 27; 9. (tie) Walled Lake Northern, Highland Milford, Lake Orion, 25; 12. White Lake Lakeland, 21.5; 13. North Farmington, 18; 14. (tie) Birmingham Groves, Berkley, Novi, 17; 17. (tie) Walled Lake Western, Farmington, 16; 19. Livonia Clarenceville, 15; 20. Clarkston, 14; 21. Holly, 12; 22. (tie) Birmingham Seaholm, Pontiac, Troy, 10; 25. Troy Athens, 9; 26. (tie) South Lyon, Farmington Harrison, Rochester, 8; 29. Birmingham Brother Rice, 7; 30. Southfield Christian, 6; 31. Rochester Adams, 3; 32. Waterford Kettering, 2.5; 33. Southfield, 2; 34. Madison Heights Lamphere, 1. EVENT RESULTS 4X800-METER RELAY: 1. Catholic Central, 7:58.5; 2. Novi, 8:06.94; 3. Waterford Mott, 8:07.14; 4. White Lake Lakeland, 8:11.39; 5. Clarkston, 8:14.74; 6. Lake Orion, 8:15.64; 7. Brother Rice, 8:18.82; 8. Oxford, 8:19.96. 110-METER HURDLES: 1. Aaron Stuk (Oxford), 14.66; 2. Shammah Carter (North Farmington), 14.86; 3. William Ross (Groves), 14.92; 4. Austin Reed (WL Northern), 14.93; 5. Derek Kim (Novi), 14.97; 6. Evan Carpenter (Athens), 15.14; 7. Nathan Hood (Ferndale), 15.27; 8. D’Marco Mills (Farmington), 15.44. 100-METER DASH: 1. Jamarius McTear (Ferndale), 10.86; 2. John Hill (Country Day), 10.87; 3. Kassius Kelly (Clarenceville), 11.12; 4. Jason Ervin (North Farmington), 11.17; 5. Jeff Aririguzo (West Bloomfield), 11.18; 6. Terry Douglas (Pontiac), 11.19; 7. James McDonald (Troy), 11.25; 8. Jeffery Johnson (Pontiac), 11.31. 4X200-METER RELAY: 1. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1:29.16; 2. Walled Lake Central, 1:30.25; 3. Novi Catholic Central, 1:31.14; 4. Oxford, 1:31.24; 5. Lake Orion, 1:31.71; 6. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1:32.26; 7. Walled Lake Northern, 1:32.53; 8. Pontiac, 1:32.72. 1,600-METER RUN: 1. Jack Howard (Seaholm), 4:21.84; 2. Garret Zuk (Lakeland), 4:22.94; 3. John-Paul Zebrowski (Catholic Central), 4:23.16; 4. Austin Zebrowski (Catholic Central), 4:23.96; 5. Nathan Burnand (Mott), 4:25.76; 6. Casey Routledge (WL Northern), 4:26.27; 7. Jonathan Malone (Catholic Central), 4:26.97; 8. Yulli Alla (Lamphere), 4:27.21. 4X100-METER FINALS: 1. Ferndale, 43.38; 2. Detroit Country Day, 43.59; 3. Walled Lake Central, 43.71; 4. Pontiac, 43.98; 5. Auburn Hills Avondale, 44.04; 6. North Farmington, 44.10; 7. Farmington, 44.16; 8. Lake Orion, 44.26. 400-METER DASH: 1. Jake Spuller (Catholic Central), 48.49; 2. Trevon Salter (Avondale), 49.44; 3. Jamael McTear (Ferndale), 49.58; 4. Phillip Washington (West Bloomfield), 50.03; 5. Michael Ankoviak (WL Northern), 51.73; 6. Jibril Mims (Country Day), 51.74; 7. Tre Walton (Southfield), 51.76; 8. Connor Risinger (Oxford), 51.83. 300-METER HURDLES: 1. Aaron Stuk (Oxford), 38.64; 2. Alex Roberts (Lake Orion), 39.51; 3. Sean Suehr (Lakeland), 40.32; 4. David Jordan (Troy), 40.23; 5. William Ross (Groves), 40.35; 6. D’Marco Mills (Farmington), 40.39; 7. Hassan Fadel (Country Day), 40.46; 8. Michael Roberts (Lake Orion), 41.07. 800-METER RUN: 1. Brandon Wallace (Milford), 1:57.44; 2. Kyle Braun (Berkley), 1:57.45; 3. Adam Bruderick (Clarkston), 1:58.26; 4. Shawn Welch (Milford), 1:58.29; 5. Anthony Cappuccilli (Oxford), 1:58.50; 6. Nathan Chapman (Avondale), 1:58.63; 7. Joshua Carolin (Catholic Central), 1:59.55; 8. David Nixon (Holly), 2:00.19. 200-METER DASH: 1. Jake Spuller (Catholic Central), 22.10; 2. Phillip Washington

(West Bloomfield), 22.27; 3. Kassius Kelly (Clarenceville), 22.29; 4. Jeff Aririguzo (West Bloomfield), 22.63; 5. James Vincent-Taylor (Farmington), 22.79; 6. James McDonald (Troy), 22.83; 7. Jason Ervin (North Farmington), 24.55. 3,200-METER RUN: 1. Scott Albaugh (Mott), 9:29.41; 2. Cody Snavely (Milford), 9:29.33; 3. Victor Allen (Southfield Christian), 9:31.08; 4. Andrew Garcia-Garrison (Catholic Central), 9:42.70; 5. Pozolo Blake (Rochester), 9:44.55; 6. Stephen Biebelhausen (Adams), 9:45.93; 7. Blake Yard (South Lyon), 9:49.62; 8. Mackenzie Boyd (Catholic Central), 9:51.05. 4X400-METER RELAY: 1. Walled Lake Northern, 3:22.59; 2. Lake Orion, 3:22.61; 3. Birmingham Groves, 3:26.09; 4. Detroit Country Day, 3:29.65; 5. Rochester, 3:30.97; 6. Novi Catholic Central, 3:31.00; 7. South Lyon, 3:31.59; 8. Highland Milford, 3:31.99. LONG JUMP: 1. Dartis Willis (Country Day), 21-5.25; 2. Kyle Carter (Harrison), 21-4.25; 3. James Vincent-Taylor (Farmington), 21-3.25; 4. Justin Hulett (Mott), 21-1; 5. Sam Ward (Athens), 20-8.25; 6. TJ Peake (Holly), 20-4; 7. Evan Carpenter (Athens), 20-3.25; 8. Jalen Williams (Groves), 20-3.25. HIGH JUMP: 1. Dartis Willis (Country Day), 7-0; 2. Justin Peguese (Berkley), 6-3; 3. Jalen Reid (Ferndale), 6-3; 4. Derek Cingal (Novi), 6-2; 5. CJ Gozdor (Clarkston), 6-2; 6. Ryan Brancheau (Avondale), 6-2; 7. Jalen Davis (Mott), 6-0; 8. Monty Reeves (Berkley), 6-0. POLE VAULT: 1. Conner Enciso (WL Central), 14-0; 2. Cody Westmoreland (Oxford), 12-6; 3. Connor Westphal (WL Western), 12-6; 4. Joe Spencer (Holly), 12-6; 5. Jacob Janke (WL Western), 12-6; 6. (tie) Kyle Saffron (Kettering), John Falvey (Lakeland), 12-0; 8. Cody Ingram (WL Northern), 12-0. SHOT PUT: 1. Louis Daranda (West Bloomfield), 54-11; 2. George Darany (Catholic Central), 50-6; 3. Travis Harris (WL Central), 50-4.25; 4. Sir Ralph Rodriguez (Oxford), 50-0; 5. Cullen Prena (WL Central), 49-7.75; 6. DeOndre Hogan (Clarenceville), 48-11.5; 7. Levi Richards (Brother Rice), 4811.5; 8. Brandon Allen (Ferndale), 48-11.5. DISCUS: 1. David Brown (Country Day), 160-5; 2. Cullen Prena (WL Central), 159-9; 3. Vinny Gjokaj (WL Western), 149-7; 4. Matthew Godin (Catholic Central), 146-4; 5. Trevor VanAsselt (South Lyon), 143-9; 6. Colin Banes (Holly), 143-5; 7. George Darany (Catholic Central), 142-11; 8. Kyle Coggins (Milford), 141-11. GIRLS TEAM RESULTS: 1. Novi, 80; 2. Detroit Country Day, 42; 3. Farmington Harrison, 40; 4. West Bloomfield, 37; 5. Rochester Adams, 36.5; 6. Pontiac, 33; 7. Lake Orion, 31; 8. Walled Lake Western, 29; 9. Troy, 28; 10. Farmington, 27; 11. Waterford Mott, 26.5; 12. Rochester, 25; 13. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 22; 14. (tie) Southfield, Oxford, Auburn Hills Avondale, 21; 17. Walled Lake Northern, 14; 18. (tie) Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Birmingham Marian, 12; 20. White Lake Lakeland, 11; 21. Southfield-Lathrup, 10; 22. Farmington Hills Mercy, 9.5; 23. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 9; 24. (tie) Ferndale, Walled Lake Central, 8; 26. Birmingham Seaholm, 6.5; 27. (tie) Birmingham Groves, North Farmington, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Clarkston, 6; 31. Holly, 5; 32. Birmingham Roeper, 5; 33. South Lyon, 4; 34. Berkley, 3; 35. Oak Park, 1. EVENT RESULTS 100-METER HURDLES: 1. Laticia Sims (Harrison), 14.33; 2. Alexandria Johnson (Lake Orion), 14.34; 3. Ally Goff (Mott), 14.93; 4. Kelly McCloskey (Novi), 15.04; 5. Morgan Pullins (Groves), 15.18; 6. Aaron Howell (Farmington), 15.58; 7. Shaquala Phillips (Pontiac), 15.78; 8. Dana Carey (Marian), 16.83. 100-METER DASH: 1. Kendall Baisden (Country Day), 12.00; 2. Tiera Parker (Harrison), 12.52; 3. Sydney Cureton (Country Day), 12.54; 4. Teanna Murray (Rochester), 12.58; 5. Berrion Berry (Stoney Creek), 12.63; 6. Jessica Howell (Adams),

3,200-METER RUN: 1. Erin Finn (West Bloomfield), 10:29.76; 2. Gabrielle Thivierge (Adams), 10:44.20; 3. Lindsay Clark (WL Western), 10:56.27; 4. Julia Valencia (WL Western), 10:58.21; 5. Gabby DeFlorio (Farmington), 11:20.45; 6. Jackie Mullins (Novi), 11:27.14; 7. Heather Smith (Mercy), 11:40.60; 8. Amanda Harris (Farmington), 11:45.06. 4X400-METER RELAY: 1. Novi, 3:59.99; 2. Farmington, 4:04.17; 3. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 4:05.91; 4. Lake Orion, 4:06.23; 5. Troy, 4:07.07; 6. Rochester, 4:09.39; 7. Birmingham Marian, 4:11.09; 8. Walled Lake Northern, 4:11.42. LONG JUMP: 1. Joylisa Davis (Lahser), 18-1.5; 2. Jessica Howell (Adams), 16-10.5; 3. Genevieve Shaba (WL Western), 16-4; 4. Lauren Roberts (Mercy), 16-1; 5. Sara Lin (Troy), 15-5.25; 6. Emily Leppak (Rochester), 15-2; 7. Felicia Fields (West Bloomfield), 150.5; 8. Valerie Johnson (West Bloomfield), 14-9.75. HIGH JUMP: 1. Keianna Ingram (Lathrup), 5-7; 2. Mariah Owens (Pontiac), 5-4; 3. Monique Nguyen (Troy), 5-4; 4. Aaron Howell (Farmington), 5-2; 5. Kerri McMahan (Novi), 5-2; 6. (tie) Haley Hendricks (Adams), Samantha Saikalis (Mott), 5-0; 8. (tie) Abbey Lovat (Mercy), Elizabeth Vermoesen (Seaholm), 5-0. POLE VAULT: 1. Sarah Hillebrand (Oxford), 9-6; 2. Jenny Piatkowski (Mott), 9-3; 3. Madeleine Martindale (Lake Orion), 9-3; 4. Taylor Meredyk (WL Central), 9-0; 5. McKenna Burr (Novi), 9-0; 6. Miranda Spencer (South Lyon), 9-0; 7. Avery Johnston (Holly), 9-0; 8. Janel Hathaway (WL Central), 8-6. SHOT PUT: 1. Angela Bursey (Pontiac), 39-10.5; 2. Taylor Gunn (West Bloomfield), 39-8.25; 3. Brittany Mann (Country Day), 39-6.75; 4. Briana Ratchford (Roeper), 367.5; 5. Kayle Sharwood (Clarkston), 35-8; 6. Angela Simon (Berkley), 35-4.5; 7. Josephine Jackson (WL Central), 34-6.5; 8. Abbey Lovat (Mercy), 34-5. DISCUS: 1. Brittany Mann (Country Day), 146-2; 2. Taylor Gunn (West Bloomfield), 136-2; 3. Stephanie Lock (WL Lakeland), 119-6; 4. Linnea Berriman (Lake Orion), 118-9; 5. Angela Bursey (Pontiac), 113-4; 6. Kelly Morgan (Troy), 1120-0; 7. Odessa Hambric (Country Day), 111-10; 8. Abbey Lovat (Mercy), 11-7.

LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 6:30 P.M., Daylight Saving Time, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, City of Southfield, County of Oakland, Michigan, at which time and place the Planning Commission will consider the following text amendments to Title V, Zoning and Planning, of Chapter 45, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Southfield, to wit: Amend Article 2, Definitions, of the Zoning Ordinance by adding a new Section 5.4. This amendment specifically concerns defining Day (Child) Care Home, Family; Day (Child) Care Home, Group; and Day Care, Private Home. (GP:1224-P) Amend Article 4, General Provisions, of the Zoning Ordinance by adding new sections, Sections 5.29, 5.30 and 5.33. These amendments specifically concern the installation of bike racks to offset parking requirements; revise off-street parking requirements for indoor recreational and fitness uses; and allow for openings in screen walls for pedestrian access and maintenance purposes, respectively. (GP:1226-P) Amend Article 5, Single Family Residential, of the Zoning Ordinance by adding new sections, Sections 5.62, 5.62-A, and 5.62-B. These amendments specifically concern Uses Permitted, Uses Permitted Subject to Special Approval, and Required Conditions for Family or Group Day (Child) Care Homes. (GP:1225-P) Amend Article 19, Light Industrial Districts, of the Zoning Ordinance by adding new Section 5.176. This amendment specifically adds indoor recreational and fitness uses as Uses Permitted in the Light Industrial zoning district. (GP:1227-P)

The City of Southfield will receive proposals for the following item(s) until the time and date indicated: Boiler Replacement Project until June 23,2011 at 10:30 a.m., Local Time. Mandatory pre-bid meeting June 7,2011 at 10:00am, Local Time at the John Grace Community Center, 21030 Indian St, Southfield, MI. Specifications are available at the Purchasing Department, Municipal Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48037-2055. For further questions, please contact the Purchasing Department at 248-796-5250. Nancy L.M. Banks, City Clerk

Questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Planning Department at (248) 796-4150. NANCY L.M. BANKS City Clerk Publish: June 5, 2011

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (248) 796-5150 (voice) or

(248) 354-4831 (TDD) if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required. OE08742813_2x7.5

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MHSAA takes action on a variety of topics Approving a variety of regulations and sports activities policies were among the actions taken by the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association during its annual Spring Meeting, May 1-2, in Bellaire. The Spring meeting of the 19-member legislative body of the Association’s nearly 1,600 member schools is generally the busiest of its three sessions each year. The Council considered 42 committee proposals and also dealt with a variety of eligibility rule, post-season tournament and operational issues. In action regarding MHSAA Handbook matters, the Council strengthened the regulation which requires a coach or player to miss the next day of competition after being ejected from an event. If the ejection occurs during an MHSAA Tournament, the player or coach must miss the next day of tournament competition, and the next day of non-tournament action if an event is scheduled between the two tournament dates. The action prevents schools from manufacturing a day of competition between two tournament dates to get someone eligible for the next day of the tournament. Here is a summary of other actions taken at the Spring Representative Council Meeting which will take effect during the 2011-12 school year:

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

• Once eliminated from MHSAA post-season tourna-

ment play or following its last regular-season competition, schools will not be allowed to scrimmage other teams in any sport at any level. Schools may still conduct practice until the MHSAA Finals take place in a sport. • The Council approved an Officials Review Committee recommendation to revise the rating categories for when school teams are evaluating officials. The four new categories – consistent judgment and application of play rules, physical appearance, contest management and communication skills, and professionalism – replace eight existing categories, eliminate duplication, and streamline the process for schools and officials.

SPORTS MATTERS

• In Girls Competitive Cheer, the Council approved a committee recommendation that team members wear athletic shoes in competition, eliminating the use of gymnastics slippers and other footwear, to enhance safety. • Watches will now be allowed to be worn by competitors in Cross Country and Track. The Council approved the committee recommendation to eliminate the “no watch rule,” which came in with the “no jewelry rule” in 1991. • In Golf, a student may participate in the two qualifying stages of the U.S. Open Tournament conducted by the United States Golf Association without counting against his or her allowed two non-school competitions during the season.

LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD

Written comments for the Planning Commission may be delivered to the Planning Department, 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055, prior to the meeting.

NOTICE OF BIDS

Publish: June 5, 2011

12.78; 7. D’Mya Davis (Novi), 12.86. 4X200-METER RELAY: 1. Novi, 1:43.60; 2. Detroit Country Day, 1:43.77; 3. Southfield, 1:44.74; 4. Farmington Harrison, 1:45.49; 5. Ferndale, 1:46.92; 6. Stoney Creek, 1:48.22; 7. Bloomfield Hills Lahser, 1:48.85; 8. Pontiac, 1:48.99. 1,600-METER RUN: 1. Lindsay Clark (WL Western), 4:58.01; 2. Erin Finn (West Bloomfield), 5:03.41; 3. Tess Wilberding (Seaholm), 5:08.99; 4. Brooke Kovacic (Oxford), 5:09.75; 5. Gabby DeFlorio (Farmington), 5:11.69; 6. Jackie Mullins (Novi), 5:16.86; 7. Julia Valencia (WL Western), 5:16.98; 8. Christina Swain (South Lyon), 5:21.81. 4X100-METER RELAY: 1. Novi, 48.93; 2. Pontiac, 50.49; 3. Farmington Harrison, 50.96; 4. Southfield, 51.05; 5. Auburn Hills Avondale, 51.36; 6. Ferndale, 51.66; 7. Farmington, 51.76; 8. Oak Park, 51.86. 400-METER DASH: 1. La’Tipha Cross (Southfield), 57.93; 2. Taylor Timko (Notre Dame Prep), 58.63; 3. Cherie Gaines (North Farmington), 59.50; 4. Yasmine Jones (Avondale), 1:00.19; 5. Kerri McMahan (Novi), 1:00.21; 6. Karen Blake (Cranbrook Kingswood), 1:00.31; 7. Jaqueline Feist (Groves), 1:00.76; 8. Ashley Dauphine (Troy), 1:01.25. 300-METER HURDLES: 1. Kelly McCloskey (Novi), 44.23; 2. Dana Carey (Marian), 44.98; 3. Laticia Sims (Harrison), 45.04; 4. Lina Davis (Novi), 47.58; 5. Anna Haritos (Avondale), 47.61; 6. Becca Quaintance (WL Northern), 48.17; 7. Michele Gilmore (Oxford), 49.08; 8. Kaylene Abernathy (Ferndale), 49.18. 800-METER RUN: 1. Brook Handler (Rochester), 2:11.50; 2. Sara Barron (Notre Dame Prep), 2;15.19; 3. Jamie Morrissey (Adams), 2:15.68; 4. Courtney Munley (Mott), 2:17.40; 5. Katelyn Cliff (WL Northern), 2:17.91; 6. Morgan Bridgewater (WL Lakeland), 2:18.15; 7. Reighan Fisher (WL Lakeland), 2;18.32; 8. Sarah Daly (Lake Orion), 2:18.43. 200-METER DASH: 1. Jasmine Ward (Novi), 14.97; 2. Yasmine Jones (Avondale), 25.60; 3. Alexandria Johnson (Lake Orion), 25.75; 4. Tiera Parker (Harrison), 25.78; 5. Teanna Murray (Rochester), 25.89; 6. Karen Blake (Cranbrook Kingswood), 26.35; 7. Berrion Berry (Stoney Creek), 26.60; 8. Jessica Howell (Adams), 26.73.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

Notice of Public Hearing Proposed 2011-2012 Budget Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Southfield City Council will be held on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan, for the purpose of reviewing and possible adoption of the 2011-2012 Municipal Budget pursuant to Section 8.5 of the Southfield City Charter. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. A complete copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan, during the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. All interested parties may request an opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. Nancy L.M. Banks City Clerk Publish: June 5, 2011

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CITY OF SOUTHFIELD LEGAL NOTICE SAD P-1174 TO THE OWNERS OF THE FOLLOWING SIDWELL PARCELS OF PROPERTY IN THE CITY CENTRE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT: 2422-102-012, 2422-102-013, 2422-102-014, 2422-102-015, 2422102-017, 2422-104-006, 2422-104-007, 2422-104-008, 2422-176010, 2422-176-011, 2422-176-012, 2422-201-017, 2422-201-019, 2422-201-020, 2422-226-020, 2422-227-010, 2422-227-063, 2422276-009, 2422-276-017, 2422-276-018, 2422-277-002, 2422-277003, 2422-277-004, 2422-277-005, 2422-277-006, 2422-326-002, 2422-326-003, 2422-326-004, 2422-326-005, 2422-426-001, 2422426-004, 2422-426-006, 2422-426-009, 2422-426-010, 2422-426014, 2422-426-024, 2422-426-025, 2422-426-026, 2422-426-027, 2422-451-003, 2423-151-003, 2423-351-001, 2423-351-002, 2423352-027, 2423-353-030, 2423-354-001, 2423-354-028. TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Southfield has caused a Special Assessment Roll to be prepared for the purpose of defraying the special assessment district’s share of the cost of the following described public improvement: A cost distribution plan to provide for operation, maintenance, promotional and development activities within the City Centre District, as directed by the City Centre Advisory Board, through the annual special assessment and collection of $0.02 per square foot of gross building area in the district each July 1st, for three consecutive years, effective July, 2011. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a survey and report of the City Administrator concerning said public improvement which, among other things, includes preliminary plans and estimates of cost, is on file with the City Clerk and is available for public examination during regular working hours on regular working days. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the City Council will meet in the Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan, on Monday, June 20, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, for the purpose of reviewing said Special Assessment Roll and hearing all persons interested therein. SHOULD ANY OWNER or representative of property being assessed for this Special Assessment feel aggrieved by the amount of the assessment, he/she may either appear in person at this hearing and protest the amount levied or may protest by letter to the City Clerk on or before the date of this hearing, in order to preserve his/her right to appeal the Special Assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. A written appeal may be made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days of confirmation of the Special Assessment Roll. NANCY L.M. BANKS CITY CLERK

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerks Office at (248) 7965150 (voice) or (248) 354-4831 (TDD) if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required.

Publish: June 5, 2011

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(SO)

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Observer & Eccentric . Sunday, June 5, 2011

Passed Over For The Job? How To Ask Why ... And How To Take It Let’s face it: Getting rejected is an unpleasant experience. But job seekers who can muster the courage to ask the people they interviewed with why they didn’t get the offer may reap benefits that can bolster their job search. Here, a few tips to make the exchange more comfortable for all involved. Act quickly Don’t give the appearance that you’ve been sitting around brooding. Talk to the appropriate interviewer, recruiter or human resources www.careerbuilder.com representative while your candidacy is still fresh in the person’s mind. “If you decide to ask why you weren’t selected, you should do it as soon as you are notified that you were not the winning candidate,” says John Scanlan, assistant director www.careerbuilder.com of the career services center at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio www.careerbuilder.com, “If you do not receive notification, you can call the company a day or so after the date they said they would have a decision and ask them.” Terry Henley, director of compensation www.careerbuilder.com services at Employers Resource Association (a nonprofit www.careerbuilder.com serving small and medium businesses in Ohio www.careerbuilder.com, Kentucky

www.careerbuilder.com and Indiana www.careerbuilder.com, notes that promptly requesting feedback can have advantages. “It signals that there was genuine interest in the position/ company, and should the initial hire back out or fail some type of screening, there might be an immediate opportunity for reconsideration of employment.” Even if that doesn’t happen, the interviewer might be impressed enough by your action to keep your résumé at his fingertips for future reference. How to ask Puzzled by what to say? Henley suggests this “nonthreatening, minimally awkward” approach: “While I am disappointed in not being chosen for this position because of (pick one) (a) the reputation of your company, (b) the obvious challenges and opportunities of the position, (c) how well this position fits into my desired career path, (d) the opportunity to learn (fill in blank) from a person with the experience of (fill in blank), I really would appreciate any feedback regarding why I was not selected because that might give me valuable insight into what I need to do to prepare myself better for such an opportunity in the future.” Scanlan recommends thanking the person for the opportunity to be interviewed and talking about the 5000-5980

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organization’s merits. Then, you can say something like, “I want to be ready for the next opportunity that comes up, whether at your company or somewhere else, so I was wondering if you could tell me why I was not selected?” or “Can you tell me about your decision to hire a different candidate? Did you see something that I might be able to work on for the next opportunity?” Some interviewers are uncomfortable talking about hiring decisions for fear of litigation. If you sense trepidation, another route to try is asking what you did well, such as what the person liked about your interview, your style or your answers. “It will be easier for the interviewer to talk about these things since they are positive aspects of your presentation. From the responses, you’ll learn what behaviors to repeat during other interviews moving forward,” Scanlan says. Dealing with feedback While asking may seem hard enough, dealing with what comes next can be even more challenging. “You must prepare yourself to hear some unflattering or difficult things,” Scanlan says. “It’s important to be open to what the employer has to say and avoid a defensive mindset. Never argue a point with the person. The decision has already been made, so you’re not going to change anyone’s mind. Also, if you try to dispute what

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Help Wanted-General

BUS DRIVERS

Crescent Academy/Southfield seeking bus drivers. Must have CDL license and P & S endorsement. Apply at: mepservices.com CAREGIVER For autistic boy in Farmington area. Afternoons, Weekends, $8.50/hr. (248) 342-6451 CLEANERS NEEDED Part-time, Evenings in the Livonia/Farmington Hills area. Call: (734) 642-0081 DELIVERY TECHNICIAN for busy Medical equipment company. Detroit Area. Must be able to lift 50lb. Delivery and set up of Oxygen and Medical equipment in patient homes. EMT preferred. amsdme@sbcglobal.net or fax to: 517-223-8538 DIRECT CARE WORKER PT & FT positions. Must have positive attitudes, clean driving record. Starting at $7.61/hr. 734-524-1361 DIRECT CARE WORKER PT positions available. Positive attitudes a must. Must have clean driving record. Starting $7.61/hr. 734-394-5620 DISPATCHER Schedule coordinator needed. Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm. $15/hr. with benefits. Novi. Resume to: danwoodphc@yahoo.com

Observer & Eccentric Classifieds Just a quick call away.....

1-800-579-SELL

Earn $50.00-$100.00 per week

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH WEDNESDAY , JUNE 15, 2011

Call 734-582-8690

OE08742905

Deliver newspapers to the Westland area twice a week on Thursday and Saturday evening/Sunday morning. Experience delivering newspapers helpful.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Help Wanted-General

Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CareerBuilder on Twitter 5000

Driver

Top Pay for Experience Solos & O/O’s No NYC or HazMat Pet & Passenger Policy Transflo Express Scanning E-Logs CDL-A, 1 Yr. Exp. Req.

888.557.9224 www.ddsextoninc.com EARN EXTRA CASH IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD We're looking for adults or teens to sell subscriptions to the Observer & Eccentric and Hometown Newspapers in your neighborhood. If you live in Western Wayne or Southwest Oakland County, this could be what you have been looking for. Earnings are commission based. Call Michele Austin 586-8267494 for more information.

Help Wanted-General

OE08742905v3

OE08743100

Classifieds Work!

5000

Engineering Test Lab Technician

ACE Controls, Inc., a leader in velocity controls, is seeking a person to conduct performance and endur-ance tests on industrial shock absorbers, hydraulic dampers, vibration isolators & gas springs. Completes tests, summarizes data and creates formal written reports. Conducts PMs and breakdown maintenance, including designing & building equipment to expand lab capabilities, calibration of measurement devices for ISO 9001. An associate’s degree in mechatronics or one year related experience is required. Experience with load cells, LVDT’s, oscilloscopes, hydraulic/ pneumatic valves, cylinders, timers, counters, data acquisition. Design, construction & troubleshooting of data acquisition interface and hardware, including electrical wiring of new equipment. PLC programming and TRANSITION laboratory acquisition software required. Please send resume, which MUST include salary requirements, to

HR@acecontrols.com Or Fax: 248-426-5631 no later than 5:00 p.m. June 13, 2011 to:

EOE

Apply in person at any: DFCU Financial Branch Office

Credit record in good standing required

5000

is said, you may convince the company not to consider you for another opportunity down the road.” According to Henley, those who keep an open mind can receive valuable information. “If the applicants truly want to learn about how they can better themselves, there might be some real ‘nuggets’ in the feedback. This might help them refocus their training, education www.careerbuilder.com and/or their interviewing skills.” Some things the interviewer might point out include: • Lack of experience in an area the employer deems crucial • Insufficient education • Not showing enough enthusiasm or assertiveness in the interview • Not asking enough questions about the job or company • Lack of thorough preparation for the interview It takes thick skin to handle criticism, and you might feel a little deflated. A successful job seeker, however, doesn’t treat the comments as a personal affront. Instead, he considers how to strengthen his candidacy in the future based on these observations and may even reevaluate the types of positions for which he applies. In the end, when a great new job is yours, you’ll be glad you had the courage to ask.

Help Wanted-General

OE08742839v2

Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder

5000

Engineers Mindware Engineering, Inc. has openings for

Senior Design Engineers at its facility in Farmington Hills, MI

Job duties include: develop CAD and CAE models of Powertrain from component level to sub-system levels; develop Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) templates within CATIA to automate the Powertrain design processes and generate product variants; integrate design, engineering analysis, and optimization within CATIA to perform parametric study of Powertrain system, and to optimize its performance; and participate in system level engineering analysis of Powertrain systems using leading edge simulation technologies. Position requires: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Management and Technology or related field, or foreign education equivalent and experience in the following: -use of scripting and programming languages, including: CATIA Knowledgeware (Advisor, Expert), Product Knowledge Templates (PKT), Product Engineering Optimizer (PEO), VB Scripting and VBA, knowledge pattern scripting, CAA V5; -use of software applications, including: CATIA V5, Teamcenter, CATIA V6 PLM, ABAQUS for CATIA (AFC), Generative Structural Analysis, IDEAS NX; and -development of CAD/CAE system/sub-system level templates and models of Powertrain components. Applicants should send resume to: Jeanie Cotton Human Resources ESI Group 32605 West 12 Mile Road Suite 350 Farmington Hills MI 48334 Reference KS062011

online at hometownlife.com

Help Wanted-General

5000

Engineers Mindware Engineering, Inc. has openings for

Senior EngineersGeneral CFD at its facility in Farmington Hills, MI Job duties include: work with CAD geometry to prepare data for detailed computer model construction, and use this information as the upfront data necessary to construct computerbased models of vehicle climate control systems, including air conditioning and heating ducts; perform dynamic Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to study airflow and temperature; perform detail engine system modeling and Powertrain simulation using CAE and CFD analysis; perform engineering assessment on the results of the computer models and correlate them with physical test models; and perform design iteration studies to verify the design changes using CAD and CFD software models. Position requires: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or foreign education equivalent and experience in the following: -use of software languages, including C, C++, Fortran, and Python; and -use of CFD software, such as UH3D, Fluent, Radtherm, Star-CD, Star-CCM, OpenFOAM for engineering design and to solve CFD related issues. Applicants should send resume to: Jeanie Cotton Human Resources ESI Group 32605 West 12 Mile Road Suite 350 Farmington Hills MI 48334 Ref: NRSM062011 Engineers Mindware Engineering, Inc. has openings for

Senior EngineersAutomotive Cooling & Heating Management at its facility in Farmington Hills, MI

Job duties include: working with CAD geometry to prepare data for detailed computer CFD model construction; performing CFD analysis to study fuel economy, drivability and providing engineering directions to product design; conducting engineering assessment on the results of the CFD computer models and correlate with physical test models; simulating turbulence models to carry out correlation studies with physical test models; simulating CFD problems with heat and mass transfer; simulating design iterations to verify the design changes using CAD and CFD software models; and simulating turbulence models to carry out correlation studies with physical test models. Position requires: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related fields, or foreign education equivalent & experience in the following:

Applicants should send resume to: Jeanie Cotton Human Resources ESI Group 32605 West 12 Mile Road Suite 350 Farmington Hills MI 48334 Ref: MC062011

5000

Engineers Mindware Engineering, Inc. has openings for

Senior Software Engineers -

Fluid and Thermal Engineering at its facility in Farmington Hills, MI. Job duties include: develop niche software/applications; design, layout and manage the Graphical User Interface to suit the users’ requests; develop modularized software code; perform engineering assessment on software and identify opportunities to improve the performance for Transient CFD solver codes and high speed transient solutions; and participate in simulations and problem solving for various Fluid Dynamics problems related to underhood/underbody thermal simulations, vehicle heat protection, Powertrain cooling, fluid and thermal analysis of electronic equipment, heat sink design, exhaust system design, vehicle interior antiicing and defog, and Powertrain and Vehicle Climate Control HVAC system. Position requires: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or foreign education equivalent & experience in the following: -development of engineering software applications for solving CFD related issues; -use of software languages, including C, C++, Fortran, TCL, Python, Scheme and Shell Scripting, TK, QT, VTK, OpenGL; -design of experiments (DOE) methodology; MPI techniques, such as MPICH, LAM-MPI, OpenMPI; and -use of CFD commercial software. Applicants should send resume to: Jeanie Cotton Human Resources ESI Group 32605 West 12 Mile Road Suite 350 Farmington Hills MI 48334 Reference MSN062011 Engineers

Help Wanted-General

5000

HOUSE CLEANERS WANTED Professional, experienced only. Full or part time, Days. (248) 473-1990, Farmington. LABORER - PT Need individual with 2 yrs exp. with extension ladders & roofing. Must have valid driver's license with good driving record, able to lift 80 lbs & have excel people skills. Drug free work place. If hired, meeting place is Ferndale and will travel with supervisor to various job locations. Email or fax employment details. $14/hr. apr_now@yahoo.com or fax: (248) 438-1665 LANDSCAPE FOREMAN 5-10 yrs. exp. Fax resume: 734-727-9949 or email: heritageirrland@sbcglobal.net

Lawn Technicians

Min. starting pay $10/hr. Will train. Benefits & commission. Must have valid/ good driving record. MI Property Maintenance Livonia 734-793-5135

Manufacturing Technician

Applicants should send resume to: Jeanie Cotton Human Resources ESI Group 32605 West 12 Mile Road Suite 350 Farmington Hills MI 48334 Reference TTU062011

Resumes accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, 6/13/11. EOE

Fax: 248-426-5631 HR@acecontrols.com

Please indicate "Tool Room"

Help Wanted-Office Clerical

HR@acecontrols.com Fax: 248-426-5631 EOE

MECHANICIAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Wanted in Southfield, MI. Involves developing, testing and modifying gas products. Requires two (2) years experience in technical support in the gas product industry. Travel in US & Canada req'd. EEO. Send resume & salary requirements and/or inquiries about additional details to

RESIDENT ASSOCIATES & HOUSEKEEPER

-development of engineering software applications to develop CFD software and solve CFD related issues; -software languages, including C, C++, C#, java, Perl, HTML, JavaScript, Prolog, SQL, and VB; -use of multi-threaded & parallel programming, including data synchronization and parallel optimization; -use of development toolkits (such as Qt, VTK, and .Net Frameworks), APIs (such as OpenGL, pthread, and Win32), and reporting tools (such as Crystal Reports and Stimulsoft).

3 to 5 yrs machining experience. Responsible for operation of manual machines including conventional lathes, Bridgeport mills, grinders, drill presses and various other standard shop equipment. Tight tolerance machining. Able to read blue prints, do own set ups. Must be able to single point thread both OD & ID. Own tools helpful but not required. $15 - $17/hr, based on experience. Benefits include 401K; health, drug, dental, shortterm disability; life insurance; vacation/personal time. Day shift 7:00am 3:30pm.

Please send resume, which must include salary requirements, to

Applications at its facility in Farmington Hills, MI

Position requires: Master’s Degree in Computer Science or related field, or foreign education equivalent and experience in the following:

Tool Room Prototype Machinist

WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN ADULT TO RECRUIT AND MOTIVATE TEENS To sell the OBSERVER AND ECCENTRIC NEWSPAPERS door to door in Western Wayne and South Oakland counties. Must have dependable transportation, valid driver's license and insured. You're a independent contractor with unlimited earning potential based on your ability to build a strong sales team. Must be available evening and weekends. Call Michele Austin at 586-826-7494 for more information.

23555 Telegraph Road, Southfield, MI 48033-2230 Email: hr@maxitrol.com

Job duties include: research, design, and implement computational algorithms and visualization engine for CFD applications; perform engineering assessment on software and identify opportunities to improve the performance for Transient CFD solver codes and high speed transient solutions; utilize knowledge of computer graphics, including curve and surface algorithm, multi-resolution modeling and advanced visualization technique; design, layout and manage the graphical user interface to suit the users’ requests; utilize multi-threaded and parallel programming, such as data synchronization and parallel optimization; and develop proprietary CFD software, such as UH3D, VFX, which includes high performance computing solutions for CFD problems involving combustion, heat transfer, turbulence for a complex geometry.

5000

Leading manufacturer is looking for a Manufacturing Technician who is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing assembly machinery, equipment, physical structures, and pipe and electrical systems. Position also responsible for facilities. Candidate must be able to troubleshoot and fix mechanical issues, possess basic pneumatic and electrical knowledge. One-year certification and/or 3 years experience. AutoCAD or SolidEdge as well as PLC software knowledge a plus.

Mindware Engineering, Inc. has openings for

Senior Software Engineers -

Help Wanted-General

Needed for Beautiful Assisted Living Community in Westland. Please fax resume: (248) 350-9083

SERVICE TECH

Must have plumbing experience. Good driving record & lift 50 lbs. Water softening exp. a plus. Call: 248-888-5000

Special Services Tech

FT. Established interior plant service & holiday decorating co. seeking a people person who has exc interpersonal skills. Will work with customers, employees & general manager. Exc. driving record and reliable transportation req. Ability to work from ladder/lift. Good organization & leadership skills. Email: ljames@theprofgroup.com

TEMPORARY PROPERTY APPRAISER 1 City of Livonia For complete information visit our website at:

www.ci.livonia.mi.us

or apply in person at Livonia City Hall, 3rd floor, 33000 Civic Center Dr. Livonia, MI 48154 E.O.E. M/F/H

5020

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT With 1 yr exp. FT. Benefits. Salary neg. Southfield co. Fax 248-356-0004 hr@mbscorp.com

ADMINISTRATIVE

Position with Farmington area CPA Firm. Detail oriented person experienced with Microsoft Word, telephone/reception and general office duties. Basic bookkeeping knowledge is a plus. $11 per hour plus health care and 401(k) for full time employee. Send resume to: Button Eddy Kolb & Sorrentino (Attn: Chris) 33515 State Street Farmington, MI 48335 or email to: chris@cityviewcpa.com

LEGAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST - PT

Work from home. Please fax resume to: 248-406-8001

PART TIME OFFICE HELP

Mature individual for answering phones & data entry. Bookkeeping exp helpful. Fax resume to 734-467-7382

SKILLED LABOR

We Specialize in Carbide/ Steel, Machining. Polishers/Finishers ID/OD Grinders, Surface Grinders, Hone Operator, Ded-Tru Operator, CNC Lathe, CNC Mill (set up-operate). Good Pay with Excellent Benefits and 401K. Immediate positions for night shift. Experienced preferred but will train. APPLY IN PERSON ONLY BETWEEN 910AM & 3-4PM: 39115 Warren Road, Westland, MI. ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS!

Help Wanted-Medical 5060 MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST & MEDICAL ASSISTANT For Internal Medicine practice in West Bloomfield. 40 hrs. Must be very professional, personable, dependable, excellent computer skills. Prior Medical Practice exp is must. Resumes to ginaMD@me.com

Crossword Puzzle

5040

DENTAL ASSISTANT Part-Time, Rochester. $16 per hr. Fax resume: 248-650-0389

Help Wanted-Medical 5060

HOME HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR

A leader in skilled home health, is seeking a full time Home Care Administrator in Madison Hgts. Ideal candidate will have 24 yrs current home health admin/supervisory exp, excellent organization & planning skills. Responsible for the overall development of the branch & familiar with State & Fed Regs & Medicare home health standards. Exp w. budgeting, hiring, compliance, reimbursement, coding & OASIS. Competitive Salary, full benefits, quarterly bonus. Email resume to mhann8289@yahoo.com

Time Warp

Medical Research facility located in Troy is seeking a full-time clinical

Research Coordinator

This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, self-motivated individual to participate in the conduct of clinical trials. Responsibilities include subject recruitment and assessment, data collection, and interfacing with multidisciplinary staff. No previous experience necessary. Bachelor degree (preferably in sciences) required. Please fax resume to: 248-312-0026

OPTICIAN Dispensing Optician for optical in Farmington. Resume jjvargovick@gmail.com PHLEBOTOMY TRAINING Enrolling for Summer & Fall Classes! Garden City, Wyandotte & Southgate. $950. Credit Card Accepted. 313-382-3857

RN's

Full-Time Midnights & Afternoons Apply in person Mon-Fri. at: Medilodge of Plymouth, 395 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth or submit resume to: BPost@Medilodge.com RN/LPN/Nurse Supervisor Seeking an experienced RN or LPN as a Full-Time Nurse Supervisor for our residential program serving individuals with memory impairments in West Bloomfield. Experience in geriatrics and dementia care preferred. Candidate should possess good organizational, communication skills & supervisory skills. Barbra Giles fax resume: 248-661-6361 email: bgiles@jslmi.org

VISUAL FIELD TECH

For Ophthalmic practice in Birmingham. Full time with benefit package. Send resume to ConnieC@oaklandeye.com Or fax: (248) 290-2760

Help WantedFood/Beverage

5080

MEAT CUTTER-FT: Good hours with benefits. Exp preferred. Send resume: info@unitedmeatanddeli.com

Position Wanted

5340

LOOKING TO CARE FOR SENIORS IN OAKLAND COUNTY. Call Kathy: (313) 608-8174

Divorce Services

5610

DIVORCE $75.00 www.CSRdisability.com CS&R 734-425-1074

Business Opportunities 5740 PARTY STORE For Sale Madison Hgts., in busy shopping center. Beer/wine, lottery, groceries. Selling for health reason. 248-342-2053

Answer to Last Week's Puzzle

NEWSPAPER POLICY

Help Wanted-Dental

(SO)

OE08739605

•Problem solving in the fields of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics; •Simulations of turbulence models to carry out correlation studies with physical test models; •Simulation of CFD problems with heat and mass transfer; •Programming in Fortran, C and in object oriented programming languages like C++, Java etc.; •Handling macros to automate the pre and post processing stages.

Help Wanted-General

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

All advertising published in this Newspaper is subject to the conditions stated in the applicable rate card. (Copies are available from the advertising department, Observer and Eccentric Newspapers, 41304 Concept Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170 866-887-2737. We reserve the right not to accept an advertiser’s order. Our sales representatives have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute final acceptance of the advertiser’s order. When more than one insertion of the same advertisement is ordered, no credit will be given unless notice of typographical or other errors are given in time for correction before the second insertion. Not responsible for omissions. Publisher’s Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 which states that it is illegal to advertise “any preference limitation, or discrimination”. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal housing opportunity basis. (FR Doc, 724983 3-31-72) Classified ads may be placed according to the deadlines. Advertisers are responsible for reading their ad(s) the first time it appears and reporting any errors immediately. The Newspaper will not issue credit for errors in ads after THE FIRST INCORRECT INSERTION. Equal Housing Opportunity Statement: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtain housing because of race, color, religion or national origin. Equal Housing Opportunity slogan: “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Table III - Illustration of Publisher’s Notice.

OE08649612

It’s all at your fingertips! Look no further for the best local classifieds!

OE08736906

1-800-579-7355

(SO)

online at hometownlife.com

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

3000-3890

Tu r n Yo u r Tr a s h Into Someone E ls e ’ s Tr e a s u r e . . . a n d Create Some Tr e a s u r e f o r YOURSELF!

Real Estate For Sale

Lakefront Property

3770

Lakefront “All Sports Cat Lake” 2 hrs N. of Detroit, 3 bdrm. furnished cottage, private dock! J. McLeod Realty, Inc. 800-871-5595

Business Opportunities 3900 A & W $15K-DOWN LAKE FRONT Restaurant & BAR Commerce Twp FAMILY STYLE w/liq. W. Bloomfield Twp. ITALIAN REST w/Liq. N. Of Highland Twp 2 PHONE STORES Novi & S. Lyon. Joe Nahra Broker 248-515-9480 (cell)

KIT includes: GARAGE SALEickers

e St • Signs • Pric eets Sh y • Inventor eat advice for • 2 pages of gr garage sale a successful Emagine Theatres to • 1 pass for 2 Buddy’s Pizza re ua Sq 4 ee • Fr Discount Card • Buddy’s Food hometownlife.com • Ad placed on” capabilities with “Map It

Now is the time to clean out those closets, basements and garages and turn those items into cash! Place your ad in the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies to reach thousands of bargain hunters and receive some FREE items too!

Place your ad online at

hometownlife.com & receive

Clip & Save Coupons! LARGE COMBO

MOVING? Home & Service Guide Asphalt/Blacktopping

0110

DJ'S BLACKTOP DRIVEWAYS •Paving •Patch •Seal Coating Free est. • www.djpaving.com. 800-724-8920, 734-397-0811

Brick, Block & Cement 0290

MICHAEL SAVINO CONCRETE •Patios •Driveways •City Sidewalks •Porches •Garages •Stamped Concrete •Exposed Aggregate Licensed & Insured FREE ESTIMATES!

(248) 867-2671

STEVE'S CONCRETE

Driveways, Garage Floors, Patios, Decorative, More! Quality Work & Free Est. Low Rates! Lic/ins.

Chimney Cleaning/ Building & Repair

Sell Those Unwanted Items!

0480

BEST CHIMNEY & ROOFING CO. -New & repairs Sr. Citizen Discount. Lic & Ins. 248-557-5595, 313-292-7722

Drywall

0690

0150

Building Remodeling A/C Auto Radiator Corp Cooling System Specialist HEATING & A/C SERVICE Ferndale: 248-544-9780

0310

BARRY'S CARPENTRY 25 yrs. exp. Start to Finish. Lic/Ins. (248) 478-8559 barryscarpentry.com

“It’s All About Results!”

Floor Service

Electrical

0700

FAMILY ELECTRICAL City cert. Violations corrected. Service changes or any small job. Free est. 734-422-8080

0860

DuCharme Wood Floors •Sanding •Staining •Install •Refinishing •Repairs Free Estimate. 28 Yrs Exp. Tom: (248) 584-1105

Handyman M/F

EMAGINE CANTON 39535 Ford Road • Canton EMAGINE NOVI 44425 W. 12 Mile • Novi EMAGINE WOODHAVEN 21720 Allen Road • Woodhaven EMAGINE ROCHESTER HILLS 200 Barclay Circle • Rochester Hills CINEMA HOLLYWOOD 12280 Dixie Highway • Birch Run EMAGINE ROYAL OAK (Coming Soon)

www.emagine-entertainment.com Movie Line: 888-319-FILM (3456)

1020

Hauling/Clean Up

1030

A-1 HAULING Move scrap metal, clean basements, garages, stores, etc. Lowest prices in town. Quick service. Free est. Wayne/ Oakland. Central location. 248-547-2764 , 248-559-8138

1000

Restaurant/ Bar / Carry-out Detroit 313-892-9001 Warren 586-574-9200 Farmington Hills 248-855-4600 Livonia 734-261-3550 Dearborn 313-562-5900 Auburn Hills 248-276-9040 Carry-out / Cafe Pointe Plaza 313-884-7400 Carry-out Only Royal Oak 248-549-8000 Bloomfield Hills 248-645-0300 Join Our E-mail club at www.buddyspizza.com

OE08738643–v2

1080

CLEANING-RESIDENTIAL Weekly and Bi-Weekly. Ref. Exp. Free Estimates. Call: (248) 543-3965

Landscaping

1210

Does your Home or Business need to be more organized? Go to: www.tigerorganizing.com!

Housecleaning

Lawn, Garden Rototilling

Home Improvement

Gutter cleaning needs to be done a minimum of twice a year. Call by May 13th to take advantage of this weeks gutter cleaning special. Check our website to see other services we offer @ Sparklinggutters.com

Housecleaning

COMPLETE LANDSCAPING BY LACOURE SERVICES Spring clean-ups, landscaping, grading, sodding, hydroseeding, all types retaining walls, brick walks & patios. Drainage & lawn irrigation systems, low foundations built up. Weekly lawn maintenance. Haul away unwanted items. Comm. Res. 38 years exp. Lic & Ins. Free Est. www.lacoureservices.com 248-489-5955, 248-521-8818

Clean-up/Hauling Srv. Cheap Rates! Garages, bsmts, attics. Free Est. 248-521-8818, 248-489-5955

parkling utters

248-755-2331

Call

1-800-579-7355 or visit

Kits are available only with purchase of Garage Sale Package. To ensure delivery of kit in time of sale, place your ad early! O&E is not responsible for kits not received.

Complete Service Handyman Any Size Job. Licensed. Free Estimates. (734) 259-9326

Gutters

WET PLASTER & DRYWALL New & Repair Work. 30 yrs. Experience. Rick: (248) 588-1340

(248) 588-9808

Auto Services

*Not valid with any other coupon or discount. **One coupon per person, per pizza, per table. No cash value. Offer expires 11-04-11.

One coupon per purchase. Not valid with other coupons. No cash value. Offer expires 11-01-11.

1-800-579-SELL

0001-2450

to Emagine Theatre & Buddy’s Pizza!

$3.00 OFF ANY 8 SQUARE PIZZA

$2.00 OFF

the purchase of any

at our Concession Stand

2 PASSES for 2

1060

1080

ALWAYS RELIABLE HOUSE & APT. CLEANING One time, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly. Carol:313-414-6538

1240

A1 ROTOTILLING New & previous gardens, $35 & up. Troy Built equip. 31 yrs. exp. Call Ray: 248-477-2168

Moving/Storage

1380

A1 A+ Movers A+ Service Lic. & Insured-Efficient for only $70/hr. 866-633-7953

Painting/Decorating Paperhangers

Roofing

1640

LEAK SPECIALIST Flashings, Valleys, Chimneys, etc. Warr. Member BBB. 30 yrs. exp. Lic / Ins. Call: (248) 346-4321

1420

KIRTS PAINTING SERVICE Ext & Int. Reasonable Prices! References. 248-496-3227, 248-582-9218 PAINTING BY ROBERT • Wallpaper Removal • Plaster/Drywall Repair • Staining. 25 yrs exp. Free est. 248-349-7499, 734-464-8147

Tile Work-Ceramic/ Marble/Quarry

1940

VINTAGE TILE & MARBLE CO. Foyers, Kitchens, Baths. Quality craftsmanship for over 20 yrs. Lic/Ins. 313-618-8003

RICK'S QUALITY PAINTING Int/Ext. •Drywall & Plaster Repair •Aluminum Siding Repaint •Power Washing Ins. Free Est. (248) 545-5277

Roofing

OE08734643

1640

BEST CHIMNEY CO. Free Est. Lic & Ins. 248-557-5595, 313-292-7722

YOUR WEEKLY GUIDE TO APARTMENT LIVING

CALL TODAY FOR A GREAT RATE . . .

1-800-579-7355

OE08742977

For The Best Auto Deals...Check Your Classifieds!

online at hometownlife.com

Apartments/ Unfurnished

SOUTHFIELD- N. of 8 Mi. 2nd fl., 2 bdrm condo, appl., heat & A/C. Covered parking. Section 8 OK. $800/mo. $1600 move-in. 313-433-6247

Mobile Home Rentals 4070 4000

FERNDALE: 1 BEDROOM APT. Washer, Dryer. $525/mo. includes all utilities. (586) 242-5848

FARMINGTON HILLS OWN or LEASE

575/MO OR LESS

Announcements

7000-7780

Merchandise

LOOK HERE Announcements & Notices

4140

REDFORD - Private Entrance Share kitchen, bath, laundry. Furnished. Utilities. Cable. $110/wk. Male. 313-213-8637

Office/Retail Space For 4220 Rent/Lease

Site Rent Included

• 3 BDRM • 2 BATHS • ALL APPLS • WE FINANCE • NEW & PRE OWNED AVAIL.

248-231-0801 www.LVHomes.net

6000-6980

REDFORD TWP.

OFFICE SUITES From 1-4 rooms. Beautifully redecorated. Great rates incl utilities. CERTIFIED REALTY INC. (248) 471-7100

Antiques/Collectibles

7020

Household Goods

MOSQUE OPEN HOUSE FREE HEALTH CLINIC (ALL ARE WELCOME, REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED) TAWHEED CENTER 29707 WEST 10 MILE ROAD FARMINTON HILLS ON SAT. JUNE 11, 2011 FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM 313-506-3215

Absolutely Free

75% OFF Figurines. Dolls, Plates, More. 10-6, every Sat/Sun. 418 Merrimac, Canton.

7000

PRO FORM Cross Trainer, 970. 248-437-4867

TV/Stereo Table, black, 28x19x21, with 2 shelves. 248-437-4867

7160

COMPUTER & COMPUTER CABINET- Dell desktop computer w/17" monitor and HP printer, $200. Teak computer cabinet $300. 248-538-1521

Auction Sales 6200

7060

Merchandise

Garage Sales

7110

BIRMINGHAM June 9-11, 9am-5pm, Thurs. & Fri., Sat. 9am-12noon. Antiques, clothing, linens, books, jewelry, furniture, misc. 740 Fairfax, 2 blocks north of Maple.

Garage Sales

7110

Auction will be conducted June 6, 7, 8 & 9, doors open at 8am auction 10am Pre K-12. Furniture, commercial kitchen equipment, many box lots, too many items to list!

BLOOMFIELD HILLS COLONIAL ESTATES Entire Subdivision Garage Sale - Sat., June 11, 9-4. S of Square Lake, W of Woodward, N off Hickory Grove.

BRIGHTON- Garage Sale, Multi family, 12464 Silver Lake Rd, June 2 thru June 5 Observer & Eccentric Classifieds Just a quick call away.....

1-800-579-SELL

Garage Sales

7110

CANTON - HUGE MULTI-SUB COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE at GEDDES/ BECK! Thurs June 9th thru Sat June 11th, 9am to 4pm. Located at 4 corners of Geddes/Beck and includes communities of Central Park South (west of Beck/north of Geddes), Chatterton Village, Chatterton Square (west of Beck/south of Geddes), Meadow Villages of Canton (east of Beck/south of Geddes). Don’t miss this AWESOME sale! Too much stuff to list!

Garage Sales

Household Goods

7160

DESK- Hon Executive Desk, 3' x 6', laminated walnut finish. Very good cond. 3 drawers incl one filing drawer. Disassembled. $300. Call Al 248-737-0343 FURNITUREKincaid Custom Select Sectional just delivered. Brown/gold with texture. High back with semiattached cushion. $2600. (248) 366-9037

PUBLIC NOTICE OF AUCTION

DPS Warehouse 9800 Mt. Elliot, Detroit. For list of items and information see www.midwestauctionsales.com

7000-7780

OE08728532 OE08 728532

Apartments/ Unfurnished

Rooms For Rent

(SO)

FURNITURELiving room & dining room. $670, price negotiable. 313-918-6454

7110

LA-Z-BOY brand sofa & loveseat, exc. cond. $350. BUSHNEL cherry wood, executive desk with hutch, $180. 248-756-2448 MISC. ITEMS: Console TV 32" Zenith $50; 35" Sony TV $50; Walnut Sofa table, $300; Amish Oak Hutch (glass doors on top, wood door on bottom with drawers) $1000; beautiful walnut corner entertainment center (w/doors, room for 35" TV, plenty of shelf space) $1000; two end tables $15/ea. 734-558-7786

Garage Sales

7110

Household Goods

7160

PATIO SET: 3 cushion couch, 2 chairs, 2 tables, removable cushions. Moving, must sell. $75/best. 248-446-9039 SOFA: Light with floral pattern. 2 blue swivel rocker chairs and 2 floor lamps. $160 for everything. Call: (734) 721-4501

Appliances

7180

RANGE GE electric Range, exc cond, white & black, 30" self cleaning. $275. 734-727-1599 WASHER & DRYERWhirlpool, white. Only 6 mos old. $400 takes both. Milford. 706-973-7493

Hay, Grain, Seed

7415

HAY FOR SALE: Square bales, first & second cutting. At barn or can be delivered. Call: 248-347-2887

Hospital/Medical Equipment

7460

GARDEN TACTOR-Craftstman 18 HP, Twin Kohler Magnum engine, 44'' deck. Exc. cond., $780. Highland, (248) 887-1042

Miscellaneous For Sale

7500

QUICKSILVER inflatable raft/dingy, will handle up to a 15 hp motor, $400/best. Overstuffed loveseat & chair, floral pattern, blue stripe, $150/best. Inversion table, $150/best. 3 mix match bar stools, $150/best for all 3. Other misc. items. Leaf blower, $30. 248-731-7817

Musical Instruments

Sporting Goods

Garage Sales

FARMINGTON HILLS: Sub Wide Sale. Farmington Ridge Glens, N. of 13 Mile, btwn Haggerty & Halsted. June 10-11, 9am-4pm. Furniture & more!

CANTON ROYAL POINTE WEST Subwide Garage Sale Corner of Warren & Ridge. June 9-11, 9am-5pm.

FARMINGTON HILLS- Tools & yard tools, exercise & weight equip., sports memorabilia, sinks, games, wooden cigar store Indian. River Pines Condos, 9 Mile & Drake. Multi community garage sales. Fri & Sat June 10th & 11th, 9-5pm.

FARMINGTON HILLS: Barrington Green Sub Wide Sale. Entrances at 12 & Drake. June 9-11, starting at 9am. Wide Variety of household goods, toys, furniture. GARDEN CITY Garage/Estate Sale 32669 Donnelly Sat., 6/11, 8am-4pm Sun., 6/12, 8am-1pm Medical equip, household, music/movie collection, tools, chipper, Intex pool, furniture & more, all priced to sell! Half off on Sun. A few neighbors also having garage sale.

TRAMPOLINE 15' with ladder & cover, $125. (248) 851-3959

Wanted to Buy

7540

WANTED: Old Fishing Tackle & related items. Also old boat motors. Call Bill: (734) 728-7313

Dogs

7840

GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES AKC registered. Ask for Mike. 248-388-9074

“It’s All About Results” Observer & Eccentric

1-800-579-SELL

7520

Garage Sales

ESTATE SALE - CLAWSON Large items, organ, riding mower, lift chair, etc. June 3rd & 4th, and June 10 & 11th. 95pm. 340 N Batchewana, 14 Mile & Crooks.

7520

GUITARS Buying better used & vintage acoustic guitars. 248-396-5240

POWER CHAIR- Pronto M41, good condition 2 speed $2500. 48-752-1908

7110

Sporting Goods

7510

POOL TABLE 7 ft Voyager, dark green, rack w/5 sticks. Spectator chair, & Detroit Tiger pool table lamp. Exc. cond. Buyer must load or move. $800/best. 734-620-9559

CANTON ROLLING RIDGE SUB SALE - Thurs-Sat, June 9-11, 9am-5pm. N. of Warren Rd., btwn. Sheldon & Canton Center. Designer Clothing, Household Items & Furniture.

CLAWSON BLOCK SALE Highland (14 1/2 & Crooks, enter on Elmwood). Sat., June 11, 9-4pm. Furniture, kitchen, toys, books & baby, antiques.

Lawn, Garden & Snow 7480 Equipment

7110

GARDEN CITY- Garage/Estate Sale, Sat. 6-4, Sun. 6-5 ONLY. 10-4 PM. Household goods, cookbooks, furniture, tools. 31440 Chester, 48135 LIVONIA 2 Family Garage Sale 9118 Deering, Livonia. Thursday & Friday LIVONIA DEER CREEK ANNUAL SUB SALE! Fri-Sat., June 10 & 11, 9-4pm. Numerous homes open Thurs., June 9. Rain or Shine. ½ mi. W. of Farmington Rd., S. of 8 Mi, or N. of 7 Mi, W. of Gill.

Garage Sales

7110

LIVONIA: 19645 Antago. June 10, 11 & 12, 8-4pm. Red Wings Merchandise/Clothes, Beanies/Pokemon Collections, Christmas, housheold items, washer, bikes, etc. ROYAL OAK Huge Estate Sale! Collectors and Bargain Hunters won't want to miss this one! 40 year collection priced to sell! Antiques and collectibles include furniture, art, games and toys, music items, sports, art deco, crocks and pottery, watches, lighters, lots of other smalls, 3000+ CD collection, household items, tools and much, much more! Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, 207 E LaSalle.

Garage Sales

7110

SOUTH LYON Garage Sale June 4-5, 9am-6pm. Furniture, tools, sporting goods, toys, camping equipment, etc. 27900 Woodstream Drive. SOUTH LYON- A lot of guy, girl, kid stuff. Hunting, Camping, etc. 6/4 & 6/5, Sat. 8-4 Sun. 9-2. 60160 E. 8 Mile Rd TROY- Warehouse sale! Furniture, home goods, antiques, tools, appli., construction materials, hardware, cabinets, clothing, baby & kids stuff, tons of misc stuff! 6/10 & 6/11, 10-4pm. 1694 Maxwell St, N off Maple, E of Coolidge. WEST BLOOMFIELD Subdivision Garage Sale Kimberley North, 14 Mile, btwn Middlebelt/NW Hwy. June 9-11, 8am-5pm. WEST BLOOMFIELD: 3085 Bloomfield Shore Dr, Lone Pine & Middlebelt. Sat. June 11, 9-4pm. Kid's toys, household, decorative items, etc.

OE08662517

Real Estate For Lease

4000

8742907

4000-4980

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

B10

(SO)

online at hometownlife.com

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 5, 2011

CHALLENGER R/T: THERE’S PLENTY OF MUSCLE IN THIS DODGE Advertising Feature

CAReport The Challenger R/T is powered by V8 HEMI that generates 376 horsepower.

By Dave Menard For Avanti NewsFeatures Fracassa News Group It seems like no matter how high gas prices go, no matter how expensive they get and no matter how impractical they might be, the muscle car never seems to go away. Not that I’m complaining; I’m just making an observation. The hold the American muscle car has on our collective automotive psyche is strong. It survived the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, the import invasion that followed and even the graying of the Baby Boom generation that made it popular. Nothing, it seems, can kill off the muscle car. And while they don’t make sense for everyone (what one vehicle does?), it’s cool to see they’re still around. The 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T is a worthy entry in the muscle-car market. With a style that evokes the classic Challengers from the early 1970s, it fits right in with this wave of retro muscle cars we’re seeing, including the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. If you’ve seen the classic 1970-74 Challenger, you’ll have no trouble spotting the new Challenger in a lineup. The Challenger R/T features a restyled trapezoidal front air dam with a larger opening to cool down the HEMI V8 under the hood. There’s a larger “duck bill” front spoiler to provide additional downforce. The R/T comes with chrome exhaust tips, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a body-colored rear spoiler, and fog lamps. Spring for another $1,350 and you can get 20-inch aluminum chrome-clad wheels with performance tires. It’s a hot look and one

Trucks for Sale

8000-8780

Automotive

Recreational Vehicles

Campers/Motor Homes/Trailers

FORD F150 2007 XLT, Extended, white. $16,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

JAYCO 1207 POP-UP 1996 Outstanding, sleeps 7, hot water, furnace, a/c, awning, screened room, electric/gas refridge, gas stove, dual tanks. $3100. 313-383-3925

8220

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2006 Silver Birch, Z71, sunroof & heated leather! This is the one! Just $19,975! 888-372-9836

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2008 Blue Granite, LT, crew, 4WD & dually! Diesel powered strength! Call for price! 888-372-9836

CHEVROLET SSR PICKUP 2004 Black, auto, V8. $22,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

Observer & Eccentric Classifieds Just a quick call away.....

1-800-579-SELL

CHEVROLET TAHOE 2008 Silver Spark, 4wd, LT, remote start! You deserve it! Only $29,987! 888-372-9836

CHEVY BLAZER 2004 Burgundy, 4x4, 44K. $10,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 CHEVY COLORADO 4DR 2008

Extra clean, 32k miles. $10,595 Stk.#11T6024A

DEALER

734-402-8774 CHEVY SILVERADO 2009

734-402-8774

DODGE DAKOTA LARAMIE 2008

Extra, extra clean, only 26k miles. $22,995 Stk.#P21279

DEALER

734-402-8774

8290

CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2006 Porcelain White, Alloys, PL, PW & ABS! Travel in style! Only $13,495! 888-372-9836

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

GMC 2004 PICKUP White, air, auto $5995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 GMC 2006 SIERRA SLE 2WD, loaded, 64K mi, warranty, new tires, exc cond., $14,500. 734-812-9001 GMC EXTENDED CAB 2010 Pickup, 10K. $20,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

GMC SIERRA 2011 Pacific Blue, 8K, crew, SLE & 4WD! Like brand new! Only $32,395! 888-372-9836

RAN 2006 PICKUP 4x4, Gray. $18,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Mini-Vans

8240

CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY 2010 Sharp! $18,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

CHEVY SUBURBAN 1999 Black/Tan, leather interior, heated seats, 4x4, loaded. $5500. 248-477-6668

CHEVY Trailblazer 1997

4 dr., low miles. A MUST SEE! EXTRA, EXTRA CLEAN! $6998 Stk.#P21336

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 2003 Blue Lagoon, LT, 4WD and power options! Safe and reliable SUV! Just $9,997! 888-372-9836

CHEVY TRAVERSE 2009 Sterling Silver, reverse camera, LT and OnStar! Make your garage happy! Only $24,995! 888-372-9836

FORD EDGE SRL AWD 2008

Must see, loaded, 1 owner. $17,488 Stk.#11T1183A

DEALER

734-402-8774 FORD ESCAPE 2008 Blue, Only $16,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

HANDICAP VANS ~ USED. BOUGHT & SOLD. Mini & full size. I come to you. Call Dale anyday, 517-882-7299 SELL ME YOUR MINIVAN. INSTANT CASH. I come to you. Call anyday, 517-230-8865 SIENNA 2005 Silver Storm, ABS and power options! Camping trip ready! Just $13,495! 888-372-9836

8290

BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 Loaded, Moon. $5595

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

8290

FORD EXPLORER 2007 Extra clean, V6, low miles. $16,995 Stk.#P21223

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

FORD FLEX SEL 2009

Extra clean, 1 owner, Ford certified. $24,995. Stk. #11T1169A

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

GMC DENALI 2008 Silver, navigation, DVD. $38,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 GMC ENVOY 2009 Black Slate, chrome, sunroof & 4WD! Great for summer trips! Just $19,857! 888-372-9836

GMC ENVOY SLT 2008 4x4, Black. Only $ 18,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

GMC YUKON XL SLT 2001

Extra Clean, Non-Smoker. A must see. $10,995. Stk.#P21291

DEALER

734-402-8774 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED 2008 Navigation, loaded, super clean, great miles. $21,595 Stk.#P21269

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 2007 Nav, moon, rear DVD. All the toys. $28,995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600

FORD EXPEDITION XLT 1998

Tan, 51,000 miles. 4.6 V8 w/overdrive, new brakes (front & rear). Exc. cond. $5900. 734-748-0687 FORD EXPLORER 2006 Midnight Black, Eddie Bauer, 37K and leather! Ride with confidence! Just $15,777! 888-372-9836

Extra clean, loaded, low miles. $16,995 Stk.#P21223

DEALER

734-402-8774 “It’s All About Results” Observer & Eccentric

1-800-579-SELL

Acoustics speakers with a subwoofer. Hey, a muscle car needs muscle sound, right? A navigation system with integrated real-time traffic is also available. Of course, all that is nice enough, but the real test of a muscle car is under the hood and on the road. The Challenger R/T does not disappoint. Under the hood on the R/T is 5.7-liter V8 HEMI with Variable Valve Timing. This engine is rated at 376 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque for plenty of power off the line (0-60 in less than six seconds). The engine is mated with a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission (there is an optional automatic, but you lose 4 horses and 10 lb.-ft. of torque). There’s a throaty growl to this powertrain - you’re not sneaking up on anybody driving this car. Even with the fuel-saving Variable Valve Timing, this is not a gas-sipper. EPA rates this combo at 15 mpg on city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. But you knew performance comes at a price, right? For comparison, the 3.6-liter V6 that comes with the SE version of the Challenger is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway, but your horses drop from 372 to 305 and your torque from 400 lb.-ft. to 268 lb.-ft. Mid-grade fuel is recommended for the HEMI, but Chrysler says regular unleaded is “acceptable.” The R/T’s suspension features redesigned front- and rear-suspension geometries. The new design features lightweight front- and rear-suspension cradles that create a rigid

Sports Utility

8290

SATURN OUTLOOK 2008 Purple Rain, XR, AWD & OnStar! Ready for all seasons! Just $23,995! 888-372-9836

Chevrolet

MERCURY MARINER 2008 PREMIUM 4x4, moon, 29K. $18,995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600

MERCURY MARINER PREMIER 2009

Leather, loaded, extra clean. $21,388 Stk.#P21254

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2008 4x4, luxury, leather, 3 row. Now $21,495! NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Silver Spoon, 18K, 5 speed & OnStar! Get your groove on! Only $14,695! 888-372-9836

8400

MALIBU LTZ 2008

Must see, low miles 34K. $17,488. Stk.#11C1177AP21257

DEALER

734-402-8774

FORD EXPLORER 4x4 2003 Dark Blue. Only $7995

DEALER

FORD EXPLORER 2007

Sports Utility

734-402-8774

FORD WINDSTAR 2003 Forest Green, SE, ABS, and power options! Family budget friendly! Only $6,997! 888-372-9836

Extra, extra clean, low miles. $19,488 Stk.#11C7052A

NORTH BROS. FORD

Sports Utility

CHEVY EQUINOX 2008 AWD, Leather, more! $21,495

8120

FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS 2004 320DBHS, sleeps 10, queen master bedroom, sofa/dinette on slide-out, full kitchen, 4 bunk beds, very clean, well maintained. $13,900. 734-392-7184

Trucks for Sale

8220

that will get you noticed when you drive it. Inside, the cabin is retro cool. The instrument panel features ice-blue backlighting and includes the expected tachometer and temperature gauge (an oilpressure gauge would have been a nice touch). The leather-wrapped steering wheel features controls for the audio system and for the Electronic Vehicle Information Center. There’s plenty of chrome accents, as well, and the shift knob is wrapped in leather. There’s no problem with leg room up front. I’m not sure anyone would buy any muscle car based on rear seating room, but if it is something that you’re looking at, the Challenger does have more rear head room (37.4 inches), and leg room than other cars in its segment (32.6 inches). The cloth seats (leather is optional) themselves are comfortable and provide good support. The power driver’s seat features a power lumbar adjustment, and the passenger seat is also power-adjustable. The R/T comes with automatic climate control, power windows and locks, keyless entry and cruise control. The standard audio system is an AM/FM/ CD system that includes satellite radio and six speakers and Uconnect with Bluetooth, a voice-activated system that allows you to control your audio system with voice command. For $1,565, you can upgrade to a system that includes a hard drive on which to store your music, with a touch-screen display, a 368-watt amplifier and seven Boston

Sports & Imported

8300

SAAB 9.3 2003 Convertible, Blue. $11,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

Buick

8360

LA SABRE LIMITED 2005 Tan, leather. Only $8995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

LUCERNE 2006 Silver Shine, CXL, chrome & heated seats! Royal comfort! Only $13,775! 888-372-9836

REGAL 1998 Burgundy, Sharp! $6495.

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

Cadillac

8380

STS 2006 White, 25,500 miles, sunroof. Very good cond. 1 owner. $16,500. 248-851-1721

Chevrolet

8400

CHEVROLET IMPALA 3 to choose from! Starting at $10,395! 888-372-9836

COBALT 2009 Gray Horizon, coupe, pl/pw & XM! Peppy gas saver! Only $13,995! 888-372-9836

COBALT 2010 4 door, air, auto. $13,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

HHR 2009 Gray mist, sunroof, remote start, and flex fuel! Summer cruisin' ready! Only $15,995! 888-372-9836

MALIBU LTZ 2009 Black, 26K. $19,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Chrysler-Plymouth

8420

300 2010 Leather, Sharp! $18,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 SEBRING 2008 Silver Fox, 33k, convertible, and leather! Drop top gorgeous! Just $17,995! 888-372-9836

Dodge

8440

AVENGER 2010 Black Beauty, R/T, heated seats, and leather! Roomy and sporty! Just $16,994! 888-372-9836

CALIBER SXT 2010 Black, 32K. $16,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Ford

8480

FOCUS 2006 ZX4 SES Auto, Air. $8995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 FOCUS SES 2009 3 to choose from! $13,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 FOCUS SES 2009

Fuel Saver, Very Clean, Low Miles. $12,785 Stk.#P21276

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

2011 Dodge Challenger R/T Vehicle class: Compact car / muscle car. Power: 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine. Mileage: 15 city / 24 highway. Where built: Brampton, Otario, Canada. Base price: $29,670. Price as tested: $35,720.

OE08742787

8480

MUSTANG 2006 Metallic Blue, 1 owner, 76K mi, new tires, Shaker 500 System. Showroom Cond. $13,400. Fenton. 810-735-1138 Cell: 810-515-4232 TAURUS SE 2006 Burgundy, auto. $7995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Honda

8520

CIVIC HYBRID 2008 4 Dr., air, auto, cruise, pw, 1 owner. 40mpg. $16,791. 248-894-3419 COROLLA 2010 Silver, 30K. $16,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Hyundai

8524

ELANTRA 2010 Auto, blue. $14,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 VOLVO 2008 T-6 AWD, silver. $24,795

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

Jaguar

8530

XK8 1998 CONVERTIBLE 71k, loaded! $12,495 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600

Jeep

8535

COMMANDER 2008 Platinum Silver, Sport, 28K & ABS! Summer adventure ready! Call for price! 888-372-9836

DEALER

734-402-8774

GRAND CHEROKEE 2009 Black Bullet, SRT8, leather & 4WD! Quick on the draw! Call for price! 888-372-9836

JEEP WRANGLER 2003 Red Dawn, 2-tops, & alloys! Off-roading fun! Just $15,995! 888-372-9836

FUSION 2008

Extra clean, only 24K miles. $14,780. Stk.#P21288

DEALER

MUSTANG 2003

Convertible, 1 owner, extra clean, only 57K miles. $9998. Stk.#11T1207A

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

Lexus

8540 IS 250 2007

Loaded, great miles, super clean. $18,388 Stk.#10T6122B

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

Lincoln

8560

MKX 2007 $22,995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 MKZ 2007 72,000 mi, immaculate condition, original owner, brand new brakes, new battery, newer tires, heated/cooled seats, leather, moonroof, extended full warranty. $15,900. 734-635-6841, 517-214-6623 MKZ 2007 Loaded, 40K. $17,495 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 TOWN CAR 2002 White, 59K. $9995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 ZEPHYR 2006 Moon, loaded. $13,995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600

“It’s All About Results”

1-800-579-SELL

SAHARA 2010 Unlimited, only 10,000 miles. $28,495 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 WRANGLER 2009 2 Dr., air, cruise, CD, 1 owner, am-fm stereo. Good condition $17,000. 248-752-1908

Pontiac

8680

G-6 CONVERTIBLE 2007 Sliver, 30k. $18,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

GRAND PRIX GT 2008 Blue, leather, moon. $14,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

GRAND PRIX GXP 2006 V8, White, loaded! $13,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 GTO 2006 Burgundy, FAST, auto. $21,495

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Saturn

8700

L300 2003 Blue Breeze, pl/pw & alloys! Easy on the eyes! Just $6995! 888-372-9836

SATURN VUE 2008 Autumn Red, XE, ABS & CD! Full of value! Just $15,995! 888-372-9836

(7355)

Mercury

8600

GRAND MARQUIS 1998

Extra clean, low miles, 66K. $5988 Stk.#11C1161A

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

GRAND MARQUIS LS 2009 Loaded, 35k miles. $16,995 NORTH BROTHERS-TROY 248-643-6600 MARQUIS 2001 Exc. condition (physically & mechanically), clean. Metallic Beige. $2600. 248-505-4139

MILAN PREMIUM 2008

FOCUS SES 2009

Super clean, non-smoker, great miles! $13,988 Stk.#P21276

734-402-8774 IMPALA CT 2004 Leather, one owner. $8495

Ford

assembly. The R/T features a performance-tuned suspension. You’ll feel the road, but it’s not too harsh, and you’ll also have superb handling. The power-assisted steering makes it easy to maneuver and the 4-wheel anti-lock brakes are excellent. Stability control and allspeed traction control are standard. If all this speed and power get you in a little trouble, you’ll be happy to know the Challenger comes with supplemental sidecurtain airbags. A tire-pressure monitoring system is also standard. The Challenger R/T starts at a little under $30,000. Add the upgraded audio system, the higher performance wheels and tires, special electronics and paint, and you’re at close to $36,000. But what the heck -- if high gas prices can’t kill the muscle car, why should the sticker price? Dave Menard is an auto critic for Avanti NewsFeatures and the Observer & Eccentric. Distributed by Fracassa News Group. Dave can be reached at Avanti1054@aol.com .

Extra clean, low miles. $14,880 Stk.#P21257

NORTH BROS. FORD 734-402-8774

MILAN PREMIUM 2008

Very clean, 1 owner, 35K miles. 3 to choose from. $14,895 Stk.#P21275

DEALER

734-402-8774 SABLE LS PREMIUM 2003 Loaded, auto, 1 owner, exc. cond., 97,000 miles. $5200. Call: 248-684-5261

Nissan

8620

MAXIMA 2009 Phantom Black, 23K,leather & power options! One impressive ride! Call for Price! 888-372-9836

SKY 2009 Red Line, Red, Turbo. $23,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 VUE 2009 Sharp! Burgundy, 43K. $15,995

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500 Toyota

8720

SLE 2008 Loaded, Nav, gray. $19,998

BOB JEANNOTTE BUICK, GMC (734) 453-2500

TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 4 Dr., air, Auto, full service history, 1 owner. 48,500 miles, immaculate! $14,750. 248-228-8169