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GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • HEALD: MAKEOVER AT BELLA PIATTI

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THE ROLE OF HOSPICE WHEN DEALING WITH THE FINAL DAYS FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS: FACT AND FICTION ABOUT LOCAL IMPACT SEX EDUCATION: HOW LOCAL SCHOOLS HANDLE THE TOPIC

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DOWNTOWN04.13

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Schools are generally the source for valuable information when it comes to sex education, and each district approaches it differently.

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BUSINESS MATTERS

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It may have the same name but there is a new owner and management team at Bella Piatti in Birmingham

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Downtown photo/Hayley Beitman.

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Sherry’s archaic image has been thrown aside by a new generation of aficionados who are matching this with food.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

Library expansion plans; charter amendment election; township police chief retires; road construction starts; municipal golf course update; library trustee named; plus more.

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While some school and county programs will feel the pinch, federal spending cuts will have little local impact.

AT THE TABLE

33: Bill Pulte

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Sequestration

With its popularity growing , hospice care is delving more deeply into what a “good” death means in the modern age.

FOCUS ON WINE

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.

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The golf courses are doing better, but the final verdict is still out; support businesses impacted by Pierce Street construction.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

T

he closing in mid-march of the Boston Phoenix, one of the early alternative newspapers like the Village Voice in New York, generated a fair amount of ink in other publications and online from writers who bemoaned the death of the alternative news industry. Fortunately the case is overstated and for the most part, the alternatives will still be around for some time to come.

In the case of the Boston Phoenix, created in 1966, I have been a reader since the early 1970's, along with the Voice and a half dozen other weekly alternative publications. Aside from the New York Times and on occasion the Washington Post, the alternative press 30-40 years ago was the only place you could find different perspectives on issues of the day and often times they were the only publications providing strong investigative reporting. As one writer phrased it in recent weeks, we came to rely on the alternative press to be the “critical incubators� that would provide a fresh look that the local daily and weekly newspapers did not offer.

So it was with some sadness that I noted the loss of the Boston Phoenix but I am not willing to concede that the alternative weekly newspaper is dead.

Of course, that's not to say that the alternative industry, as with all publications, is not challenged. The alternative industry faces threats by the Internet on the news side and Craigslist in terms of loss of revenue on the lucrative classified advertising front.

There are also some trends developing that have not served the alternative industry well, including larger publishing corporations gobbling up many of the better alternative papers across the country and in some cases, the quality of news coverage has suffered in the search for elusive national ad dollars that do not seem to have materialized for the alternative press.

The southeast Michigan area still has a vibrant alternative weekly newspaper in the Metro Times, which is owned by Times-Shamrock Communications out of Scranton Pennsylvania, owner of a raft of daily newspapers, mostly centered in states surrounding their corporate offices; over a half dozen alternative weekly newspapers; and a slew of radio stations. From my observations, large corporate ownership has not really threatened the independence of the Metro Times.

A few years ago the corporation installed as publisher Chris Sexson, now a Birmingham resident, who seems sharp in terms of managing a publication and news operation, based on a few conversations I have had with him. He seems well equipped to respond to the challenges we all face in this industry, whether it's seeking out new revenue sources beyond the print product or improving the print version of Metro Times on a proactive basis as he did recently with a redesign of the product and a move to more of a magazine format.

Frankly, I rely on the Metro Times for a few columnists, especially political commentator Jack Lessenberry, a Wayne State University journalism teacher, and I find their entertainment listings to be much more thorough than other competitors in the market. I long for more hard-news investigative pieces but overall I think it remains a good product, averaging anywhere from the mid-70’s to 200 pages, when special issues are produced.

What the alternative newspapers do is something different from our mission here at Downtown Publications. Our focus with the edition serving the Birmingham and Bloomfield area is what we like to describe as hyper-local journalism, tackling issues of interest locally in our longform journalism style, coupled with local municipal coverage, personality profiles, business community news and reporting on the society scene.

Our approach has made us the dominant news source, both in our print product and on our website where we augment the monthly edition.

It's a formula that has served us well, as evidenced by the 130-140 page editions we have been producing of late.

We face many of the same challenges faced by the alternative newspapers but we have been fortunate to devise our own special niche in this part of Oakland County and the constant supportive feedback we receive every week tells us we are on the right course.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

Living Beautifully Beyond Four Walls

, , and Staff h my n y L , n le elpful wit and h d n Dear G a l u f eer ed eing so ch k with such a talent b s y a lw a ave a to wor u all for hen you h pleasure w Thank yo t a d e o r o g g a . It is Life is yn Duffy. landscape L s a r e n esig gracious d ine to enjoy. em rst started to fi e garden lik w n e tion 5, wh since 199 as been your atten tinues d e g n a h con nt h have c ne consta e has evolved and o A lot may t u b r, e room scap ogeth my living . My land working t d m r o a r y f y w olor m ie ail in cope of c ar. The v s e o y id h c le every det a a r e k y couch o me more changing m t r h e m g v li o e r e f n d a to is view x. such joy. It nd I can enjoy the e m s ce to rela g la in p r t A b c e r. f a r e e ap ut the y garden is y m througho ; a e r e a sitting ine was th m t a h t out in the e tell m and ntinue to r ’s house o a c e y le t p s o la e at I had a it that p rden on h a t m g d g m a e t in s h t m u ll Im elco d te am. nd most w up” with pride an a t s ie tt a good te e e r k ff p a u m p “ e I think w ur and garden to om Four Seasons. I fr family for s n o s a e lot of help S our with my F g in k r o w orward to Looking f rs. many yea

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Photos © Gene Meadows

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INCOMING Outstanding feature What an outstanding feature Lisa Brody wrote in your January 2013 issue on Baldwin House--balanced in breadth and comprehensive in content.

Birmingham is blessed to have such a special residential facility for those from a range of economic means who wish to share the benefits of an unusual community. Everyone should commend the involved churches, their pastoral staffs and lay leaders, who had the faith and fortitude -- and continue to express it -- in advancing the belief that an apartment "home" can be uniquely harmonious regardless of one's financial status.

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Karen Newman profile I just wanted to take a minute to say a big “thank you� for the wonderful article on Karen Newman (Downtown/February 2013).

The story was just great and really captured Karen's personality. I think your readers will really feel as if they have gotten to know her through your

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profile. Plus, the photo was stunning.

Laurie (Tennent) always does such a beautiful job.

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HOSPICE COMPASSIONATE END-OF-LIFE CARE

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BY ALLISON BATDORFF

ighlights from Donald Bos’s 95th birthday menu: cheesy potatoes, cheesy broccoli and for dessert, cheesecake.

“Wow, Dad - everything you want is cheesy,” Judi Graham commented. Ever the good daughter, she made it happen, pranking his cheesecake with birthday sparklers that he couldn’t blow out.

“He’s 95, you got to surprise him somehow,” Graham says.

Her dad’s appetite for cheese, or anything for that matter, makes her happy. Longevity is not Bos’s priority, and they both know it. Diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, Bos is receiving hospice care and living with Graham in her home.

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04.13

There are good days and bad ones, Graham says evenly. Nights are worse, as his pain leaves Dad sleepless, his pain crackling through the baby monitor. Thank God for hospice, Graham says, echoing a statement heard over and over. Thank God for hospice. I don’t know how we could do it without hospice. ying is a part of life. But it’s one we don’t like to discuss frankly. If you want to see someone squirm, introduce the topic of taking a loved one off a ventilator. We might know what we want done when our time comes, but it gets complicated quickly when we make decisions about those we love. What if you unplug the ventilator, and your loved one stops breathing, and dies? Or, she resumes breathing on her own, and lives for two days? Two years?

Ten? What then? Decision-making in the face of death - even talk about the topic - is charged with love, anger, grief and all of the intense emotions and attendant beliefs we hold about life, attachment and death.

The idea of “not giving up” is pervasive, and often takes the form of keeping people in aggressive treatment long after it makes sense, said Carl Brodarick, Seasons Hospice chief marketing officer. Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care Team in Madison Heights is a communitybased organization which is on an ongoing mission to find creative solutions which add quality to life. They believe in the patient/family focus of hospice care, recognizing that individuals and families are the experts in their own care..

“I saw it with my own mom – you feel like if you give up on treatment, then you’re giving up on that person,” Brodarick said. “Even though it doesn’t make sense, that’s how you feel.”

But instead of tamping with the taboo topic of “only-when-itactually-happens-will-I-think-about-it file,” hospice organizations have pushed death with dignity into cocktail conversation and public policy alike. In just a half century, hospice has become indispensable, something many people can’t live – or die - without. In 2011, 1.65 million people received hospice services. Almost 45 percent of all deaths in the United States were under hospice care in the same year.

This conversation becomes ever more relevant as hospice faces growth and scrutiny as our population ages, lives longer, and dies of different illnesses. In Oakland County and throughout Michigan, hospice organizations are preparing for the next phase of life. Changes are coming down the pike in the recently-approved health care reforms.

Hospice organizations continue to delve deeply into what a “good” death means in the modern age. Hospitals are incorporating better end-of-life care with palliative care programs.

Fifty years ago, death was a problem. Sure, no one ever really wants to die in any decade, but in our fix-it medical zeal, our society had strayed away from doing death well.

“A century ago, death was something you did at home, surrounded by your family,” said Marcie Hillary, Hospice of Michigan (HOM) vice president. “Then we moved into hospitals into a more sterilized environment.”

People liked this approach when it came to treating illnesses, but it didn’t work with death and dying, Hillary said.

“We weren’t dying well,” said Hillary. “We needed to go back to treating the pain and maintaining the dignity at the end of life.”

The backlash set humble spark to tinder, igniting the hospice movement, starting out east in 1974, and sweeping across the country in the form of grassroots agencies that served their local communities.

In the early 1980’s, hospice became a covered benefit of Medicaid and Medicare, pushing hospice into the mainstream, and making it available and affordable to most who wanted it.

Hospice of Southeast Michigan was the state’s first hospice organization. From a single non-profit, the organization grew to encompass 13 separate Michigan grassroots organizations in 1994. It was a grand experiment to see if hospice care could be elevated through standardization, Hillary said. It was successful, making HOM

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one of the biggest hospice organizations in the county, Hillary said.

Michigan currently has 135 different hospice organizations, and the number of hospice programs nationwide continues to grow, numbering more than 5,300 programs today.

There’s a hospice for every persuasion, religious and otherwise.

There are also hospices that specialize in different therapies or approaches to death. Take Seasons Hospice, for example. Offered through Detroit’s DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, Seasons offers music and aromatherapy, and currently employs eight board certified music therapy specialists.

“Research shows that music can quite often reduce pain,” said Brodarick. “Music makes connections for patients. It even helps patients who are having trouble communicating to communicate again.”

Differences aside, all hospices share in the same basic premise: hospice provides compassionate care, not a cure. Often aggressive treatments are not working or helping the person. A physician determines that if the disease runs its normal course the patient will live six months or less. Everyone – patient, family and doctor - all agree that the comfort of the patient comes first.

Hospice then considers the patient’s physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual needs. This includes managing symptoms, medical equipment and supplies, and pain medications. A team is assembled of nurses, home health aides, chaplains, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers.

Most people elect to go “home,” wherever home may be – their home, a relative’s home, nursing home, wherever they live. Hospice then determines if a person needs routine care, skilled nursing care, and inpatient care in a hospital or other facility, respite care to give the caregiver a break or some combination of all of them. Surgery is sometimes involved, if it falls in line with the hospice philosophy, Hillary said.

“Say, we have a patient with tumor on the spine that’s causing pain…we’d allow the patient to receive radiation treatment to shrink the tumor,” Hillary said. “We allow the treatment to make sure they are comfortable, that they have time to heal a relationship and say their goodbyes.”

People can elect to stop hospice any time they wish if they begin to recover. Sometimes, hospice actually helps people live longer, Brodarick noted. A 2010 study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested patients with non-small-cell lung cancer live longer with hospice and palliative care. ccording to the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), a national organization dedicated to the advancement of this type of care, palliative care is “ specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses.

It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.”

More and more hospitals are instituting palliative care programs as an alternative to relieve suffering and provide a higher quality of life for patients at the end of life. Some programs are in conjunction with hospice, others are in lieu of hospice.

As DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital President Lynn Torossian wrote recently, “The point of palliative care is to relieve suffering and provide the best possible quality of life for the patient and their family. The palliative care team treats people with all types of serious and chronic illnesses, including congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, cancer and others. The use of palliative care helps to relieve symptoms of these diseases along with better understanding disease progression and how to handle them.

“There are measurable results from palliative care programs,

A

including lower lengths of stay, reduced hospital readmissions, less ICU days, and others, which are all positive to the overall system,” Torossian continued. “But the real results are harder to measure - the smile on a grandmother’s face when she can spend the holidays with her grandson because her pain is under control; the happiness of a family that no longer runs back and forth to the emergency room because they better understand their loved one’s disease; the time that a person gets doing what they want to do, and feeling good while they are doing it, because they are in control. Priceless.”

“Sometimes hospice can extend life by taking away a lot of drugs and medication regimes that harm the body,” Brodarick said.

But as a basic philosophy, hospice takes a step back, neither hastening, nor postponing, death.

“Death is just another stage of life, where growth is possible and completion of task can be achieved,” Evan Fonger M.D., a hospice/palliative care physician with Oakwood Hospital, tells his patients. “I don’t know if that actually comforts anyone, but that’s what I believe.”

“Drawn to the elderly” early on in his medical career, Fonger noticed gaps in care, he said. People are often too focused on “cure,” not recognizing that cures are wonderful, but rare.

“Some things we cure; most things we manage,” Fonger said. “Hospice helps people feel as good as they can for as long as they can.”

These days long is getting longer, with the average life span hovering around 75 years for men and 80 years for women. Live a somewhat healthy lifestyle and that number bumps up to 85 quickly, a fact many people don’t plan for, according to Forbes financial analysts.

The first wave of baby boomers turned 65 in 2011, with 75 million more behind them. This aging influx carries huge implications for health care, especially as numbers rise on deaths by chronic progressive diseases that require longer and more sustained care. hen hospice care began in the United States, cancer patients made up the largest percentage of hospice admissions. These days, cancer accounts for 38 percent of all hospice admissions and 25 percent of deaths. Other terminal illnesses now make up the majority of hospice intake, including dementia, heart disease, lung disease and unspecified disease.

This makes predicting when to engage hospice more difficult, Fonger acknowledged.

“The trajectory of cancer decline is easier to predict than COPD or heart failure,” Fonger said. Currently, patients get up to six months of hospice care under most insurance plans. Afterwards, it continues in the form of doctor-approved 60-day increments.

But end of life costs add up. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, MedPac, nearly 25 percent of Medicare spending is for expenses in the last year of life.

MedPac recommendations, sequestration and health care reform will likely change hospice’s nuts and bolts. In dealing with death and dying, hospice is well-versed in preparing for changes that are likely, but not yet official.

“Everyone in health care will be touched by the changes,” said Fonger, the medical director of HOM.“We’ll be paid less to do less as a general tenant, but we’ll innovate.”

Several reforms aim at curbing long hospice stays that effectively replace long-term care, which is not a hospice provision.

Sequestration will also take a 2 percent bite from those receiving government dollars. Currently, Medicare and Medicaid together pay for more than 90 percent of all hospice care in Michigan. Nationally 80 to 100 percent - of the hospice tab is picked up by government agencies, including the Veteran’s Administration and Department of Defense, where applicable.

Median hospice care has remained steady at about two weeks, but

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long hospice stays have gotten longer, with six percent of hospices showing a large number of stays in excess of six months. MedPac reported a large jump in government spending on hospice from $2.9 billion in 2000 to $10 billion in 2007, running tandem with a boom in for-profit hospice centers. In 2011, about 35 percent of hospice centers filed for non-profit status and 60 percent held for-profit tax status.

Government-owned programs made up the remaining five percent. he current fee-for-service reimbursements for hospice care will also likely change to a u-shaped reimbursement. Hillary illustrates: currently, assume hospice is reimbursed a flat rate of $150 a day for 365 theoretical days a year. A U-shaped system means that in the first few days and the last few days that someone receives hospice, providers will be reimbursed a higher rate, like $500 a day. During the “stable” time, reimbursements drop to $30 a day.

Still, most studies concede that hospice care saves money, compared to “cycling in and out of hospital emergency rooms,” Hillary said.

Hospice of Michigan piloted a program combining hospice and curative care. Everyone assumed it would be expensive, but it saved 30 percent in health care costs over a five-year period, which is no small feat, Hillary said.

“Instead of calling an ambulance or going to the hospital – which can run around $20,000 – caregivers know they could call someone 24 hours a day. A nurse could talk to them, find out what was happening, and dispatch someone to their door while they are still on the phone.”

But while cost savings are great, Hospice of Michigan initiated the study to answer this question: if everyone loves hospice, why are only 45 percent of people dying under hospice care?

“Families tell us over and over again, we couldn’t have done this without you,” Hillary said. “And yet there were still 60 percent of people who were eligible for hospice, but didn’t choose it.”

Studies currently show that while 80 percent of Americans prefer to die at home, only about 20 percent end up there due to the logistics involved in caring for a terminally ill patient at home. About 60 percent of Americans die in acute care, with 20 percent spending their last days in an intensive care unit.

This combination curative-hospice approach helps those who aren’t ready to accept the finality of death, Hillary said. “Let’s face it, death and dying is a tough sell,” Hillary said. Especially for families.

“Patients know and understand that it’s time. The ones who have the hardest time letting go are the family members,” Brodarick said.

To that effect, hospice walks family and friends through the process, urging them to see it as a time for celebration and personal growth.

The pain and pressure-free environment of hospice encourages people to right past wrongs, and say what you couldn’t say before, Hillary said.

“We want to make that time special,” Brodarick said. “While it’s sad, it’s meaningful. When we do our job right, the death experience which we will all go through - is a celebration that honors that person’s life.”

Graham’s house has been filled with visiting relatives. The grandkids come over every chance they get. Folks from out of town are making special trips. That everyone has accepted the fact that her dad isn’t going to get better has made family time a priority.

No, death is not something they talk about every day, but her dad is “okay with it,” she said. And they work together on cherishing the moments, even the hard ones.

“There are days where you cry a lot and days where you don’t,” Graham said. “It’s not ever going to be easy, it is just not an easy thing. It is what it is. But hospice makes it easier.”

T

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32

DOWNTOWN

04.13

FACES Bill Pulte

O

n one hand, he is the grandson of William Pulte, founder of Pulte Homes. On the other, Bill Pulte is the 24-year-old CEO of a private equity firm and is rapidly changing the city of Detroit.

Pulte grew up in Boca Raton until the age of 18. “I spent a considerable amount of time working in southern Michigan at Pulte Homes as a kid growing up. I always knew I wanted to move here.” Pulte fondly remembers spending summers at his family’s cottage in northern Michigan.

He attended Northwestern University in Chicago where he studied journalism and business. “It was a very good opportunity to be challenged both intellectually and morally. It ultimately led me to my passion of building teams and building organizations,” he said of his college experience. There, he explored his ardor for flying and got his helicopter pilot’s license. He has served as president of the Northwestern University Club of Detroit and on the Northwestern University Alumni Association board.

Upon graduation, he worked for two private equity firms in Detroit, Huron Capital Partners and Penske Capital. “What I realized was that my grandfather had built a really big business at Pulte Homes.”

Using the family name and experience, he formed the investment firm Pulte Capital Partners in Bloomfield Hills. He also manages an air conditioning business in Florida and serves as chairman of the board of Carstin Brands, a kitchen countertop manufacturer.

“That’s what I’m running everyday. We’ve put tens of millions of dollars at work between buying these two businesses. That’s my full time job,” the 24-year-old said. “I’m actively traveling trying to build these businesses. It’s very intensive from a travel standpoint.”

Pulte is also the chairman of Detroit Blight Authority, a nonprofit effort he pioneered to demolish abandoned buildings in Detroit. “I read an article about a young girl who walks to school everyday afraid for her life,” he said. “I decided to study the problem.”

With the help of his grandfather and Mayor Dave Bing, his concept came to fruition. The first pilot area, near a school, knocked out 10 blighted blocks in 10 days for the lowest cost on record. “Those several hundred kids will no longer have to look at this disarray and won’t have to be scared to walk to school anymore,” said Pulte.

Through all of his hard work, Pulte’s grandfather has been his source of inspiration. “His vision and his integrity is something that quite frankly, I try to imitate on a daily basis.

He’s been by far the most supportive, him and my father.”

Pulte, who in 2012 was recognized by Crain’s Detroit as 20 in their 20s, tries to make socializing a key priority. “Being able to have a life outside of work and this blight program makes you even that much more proficient when you’re doing work.

Building a business makes you enjoy your social life that much more because you appreciate your time off.”

Pulte lives in Bloomfield Hills where he stays involved with the local community as a board member of The Community House in Birmingham.

Pulte hopes to continue building his businesses and scaling his blight authority across the rest of Detroit. “Longer term, I want to have a family and do whatever I can to make this blight thing work. It could change the landscape of Detroit as we know it.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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emember that first wonderful crush of adolescence – your heart beat so fast, you thought your friends could see it pounding right through your shirt, and every time you even thought of the other person, your face turned so crimson, you were a walking billboard flashing “puppy love.” Of course, it would have been way too embarrassing to actually talk to your crush.

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Ah. The innocent good old days. Today, while tweens and teens still experience the same feelings about early relationships, they are bombarded much earlier with images of blatant sexuality by television shows, YouTube videos, music videos, advertisements, songs, the Internet, you name it.

Culture itself has become hyper-sexualized. And yet, while our kids may be exposed to material that supposes they are maturing earlier, they still must learn what human sexuality is, how to have a relationship, how to become friends with the other sex, what is normal for them, and how to live, and love, in a sexual environment. exual education is taught in most schools, public and private, in some way throughout the educational process. It is not a course on how to have sex – but on issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, puberty, dating, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, abstinence, reproductive rights and responsibilities, birth control, sexual orientation, sexually transmitted infections, and other aspects of human sexual behavior. Educators, physicians, and other experts note that experience has shown that teens are curious about some or all aspects of their sexuality, as well as the nature of sexuality in general, and that many will choose to experience their own sexuality, whether parents approve or acknowledge it.

In previous generations, sexual education and human sexuality was left to parents and families, with many a bride or groom being given a hasty talk by their embarrassed parent the night before the nuptials. Some newlyweds were naïve; many more were more knowledgeable than they let on, either from personal experience or from tales from friends.

Today's children and teens have wide access to information, yet misinformation from the media, Internet, and peers is just as widespread. They can be just as confused as previous generations kids – they just act as if they know everything. And they often are practicing sexual acts much sooner.

Sexual education is a tool to arm them with knowledge and responsibility. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, in a 2007 study, determined, “No comprehensive program hastened the initiation of sex or increased the frequency of sex, results that many people fear...Further, comprehensive programs worked for both genders, for all major ethnic groups, for sexually inexperienced and experienced teens, in different settings, and in different communities.”

As of February 2013, 22 states and the District of Columbia, including Michigan, require public schools to teach sex education, including HIV education, and 33 states require students to receive instruction about HIV/AIDS. Of those, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 18 states require states to have sex education curricula that is medically accurate and/or age appropriate. Michigan is one of those states. The law states that “the superintendent of a school district shall cooperate with the Department of Public Health to provide teacher training and provide medically accurate materials for instruction of children about HIV/AIDS.” There are two different ways to approach sexual education. One is comprehensive sexuality education, or an abstinence-based curriculum; the other is abstinence-only until marriage programs.

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Comprehensive sexuality education begins in elementary school and continues through high school, bringing up age appropriate topics and covering the broad spectrum of sex education, including safe sex, sexually-transmitted infections, contraceptives, masturbation, body image, relationships, and more.

The abstinence-only until marriage program emphasize abstinence from all sexual behaviors, and usually does not cover information on contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections, masturbation, and other issues. If your child is in that kind of program, it falls to the family to provide the information to them.

Renee Horowitz, M.D., a Farmington Hills obstetrician/gynecologist, emphasized, “I think as long as they teach it, they can do no wrong. It's important to be age appropriate and give them enough to answer their questions. These kids know it before you teach them – but they may not know it accurately. They have to have the information because they're going to turn to the Internet or their friends, and their peers do not know it any more than they do. They must be educated properly and they have to have access and permission to the health care system. Whether its parents or the schools who do it, any knowledge is good. It's only when you don't have knowledge that you have problems.”

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States surveyed parents throughout the U.S., and found that 93 percent of adults support sexuality education in high school, and 84 percent support it in middle school. They also found that having it in schools makes it easier for them to talk to their adolescents about sex.

Additionally, 92 percent of teens report that they want both to talk to their parents about sex and to have comprehensive in school sex education.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 2011 survey indicated that more than 47 percent of all high school students say they have had sex, with 15 percent of high school students reporting they have had sex with four or more partners in their lifetime. Among students who said they had had sex in the three months prior to the survey, 60 percent reported condom use, and 23 percent reported birth control pill use during their last sexual encounter. eens do not always acknowledge that sexual activity has consequences. While it has begun to drop, the United States continues to have the highest teen birth rate in the industrialized world, with three in 10 girls pregnant at least once before their 20th birthday. Adolescents also have disproportionately more sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The CDC reports that young people ages 15 to 24 represent 25 percent of the sexually active population, but acquire half of all new STIs, equaling 9.1 million new cases a year. Of that, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections account for about half of all the STIs. Girls between 15 and 19 have the highest rate of gonorrhea and the second highest rate of chlamydia. In 2009, approximately 20 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses were of young people between 13 and 24.

“One of the problems is they do not realize oral sex is sex, and they do not realize you can get STIs in their throats,” Horowitz noted. “There's a rise in oral pharyngeal cancer of the tongue and throat

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from HPV. I had a 27-year-old woman who had cancer of the throat from HPV, which started in the tongue, and she died. I've seen herpes of the throat.

This isn't fantasy – it's real. There's a real rise in oral sex, and a lot is due to the myth that it's not real sex. You can't get pregnant, but you can get diseases, and you can pass it on.”

Local area public and private schools (no area parochial schools responded to numerous calls from Downtown) all introduce aspects of human sexuality in elementary school, highlight it in middle school, and continue the course into high school.

“By state law, we have it once at every level,” said Deb Boyer, assistant principal of Birmingham's Seaholm High School. “We have always taught it in fourth, fifth, seventh, and 11th grades.”

By law, public schools must have an advisory board which includes administrators, teachers, outside health professionals, and parent representatives, that have reviewed the curriculum, previewed all materials, books and drawings. They meet once or twice a year, and any changes in the curriculum must come before them. Once approved by the advisory board, the district's school board must authorize the curriculum. arents of students at any level always have the option of coming in ahead of time and reviewing the sexual education materials, and of having their student opt out of the unit. Boyer said its very rare to have had any, and they would get an alternate assignment.

“In the last few years, we have not had any students opt out of sex ed.”

She said that at the fourth grade, it is a one-day unit, single sex, on hygiene with the focus on entering puberty. “Some of the girls are at the beginning of their menses, and we don't want them afraid,” Boyer said.

In fifth grade, Birmingham Schools has a twoday unit on puberty, where the boys learn what changes will happen to their bodies, and to girls' bodies, and vice versa. “We also do an introduction to blood born pathogens, and introduce the concept of HIV/AIDS. They do hear it on the news,” she noted.

In seventh grade, the sex ed unit is expanded to five weeks. “We introduce the concept of risky behaviors and abstaining from all risk behaviors, whether its sexual, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, reproductive health, and reproductive health issues,” Boyer said. “We have an abstinence-based curriculum that stresses that the only 100 percent way to prevent any ill effects from risk taking behaviors is to abstain from them. We're not an abstinence-only curriculum. We also teach prevention, but not contraception.”

Seventh grade is where STIs, including HIV/AIDS, is taught. In 11th grade, Boyer said, all Birmingham Public School students take one trimester of health, which deals with all aspects of their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Included in that is a unit on reproductive health, with a three-day unit on sexual orientation.

Bloomfield Hills Schools also has an abstinencebased philosophy, “in line with medical authorities to provide adequate information to protect our adolescents,” said Brian Fitzgerald, associate principal of Bloomfield Hills Middle School. “We give them information on protection, using safe measures, and how reproduction occurs.”

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In the first grade, while not specifically dealing with sexual education, Fitzgerald said, they begin the conversation by talking about disease and blood-born pathogens, and how when you cut yourself there is the transmission of disease. In fifth grade, when dealing with puberty, they introduce HIV/AIDS. In seventh grade, the discussion focuses on reproductive health and healthy relationships.

Bloomfield Hills students all take a one semester health course in either ninth or 10th grade, where all aspects of reproduction, protection, healthy relationships, safety, and sexually transmitted diseases are frankly addressed.

Lisa Hiatt, health instructor at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, said, “I focus on the Michigan sex laws, so they are more responsible as a person, sexting issues, issues of pornography, being aware, the Romeo-and-Juliet sex offender law, emotional risks, STIs while promoting abstinence, but at the same time explaining the different options of health and sexuality.”

Hiatt said the most important thing she tells them is “that the choices they make right now can be life changing. They do not choose to make a mistake, but it can haunt them for the rest of their lives. The kids feel comfortable being candid talking about everything. They want to know. I promote the openness for them to ask questions, and you can't believe the questions. I always compliment them on asking the questions. The big thing is, they don't want someone to tell them don't. But I emphasize that there's no such thing as safe sex. They think if you use a condom it's safe.

But it's not – they can still get STIs. We talk about what are relationships, and that is changing too,

and the movement of relationships. We talk about what is sex. They often do not consider oral sex sex. It's very important for kids to understand and take it seriously.”

At Cranbrook Schools, they approach sexual education in single gender classes at the elementary, middle, and upper school levels, noting that it is easier for the students to deal with an embarrassing topic without the opposite sex.

Marcy De Craene, nurse and health education teacher at Brookside Lower School, said “ At Brookside we have health throughout, and in fourth grade have a class on personal safety and on good and bad touching. In fifth grade, we have a human development class which includes health reproduction and puberty.

The two main areas, she said, are that in puberty are all of the changes boys and girls can expect to go through. The human reproduction area is dealt with as part of anatomy. “A lot of it is safe behaviors, reducing risks, what it is, taking care of the body, and emphasizing keeping the body safe,” De Craene said. “We do give an overview about diseases, and say there are some germs that can be transmitted sexually, and can be transmitted through blood.” tacy Rivard, the headmaster of Kingswood Girls Middle School, said that every sixth, seventh and eighth grade girl and boy has a semester each year of human development. “We feel very strongly on helping children understand who they are and how they can interact with the world,” she said. “We recognize that sexuality is one part of being a human being. We want to help students make good

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choices and to be an advocate for themselves, to learn disease prevention and health promotion. We deal with issues that are not only related to sexuality but to health and humanity. We teach them how to make decisions, deal with issues of tobacco, drug, and alcohol use, and how does the media portray girls and women.”

A key goal at each level is demystifying normal development while teaching puberty, menstruation and an understanding of their bodies, for males and females.

“I think in society sex and sexuality is seen as a very big issue. Here, we try to make it a very small issue, and make what they are going through as a very normal passage,” De Craene said. “We try to go small, while the world they're living in is trying to go big, big, big.”

In ninth grade, all Cranbrook Upper School students take a one semester health class, which includes human sexuality, relationships, gender issues, STIs, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy and childbirth, nutrition, and continues the discussions of refusal techniques from sex, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs from the eighth grade curriculum.

“We want them (students) to have good information to make good choices,” Rivard said.

Detroit Country Day School believes in health and wellness programs which infiltrate their curriculum from pre-K3 through 12th grade. “Good decision making begins at preK3, from washing hands, acting appropriately, to keeping your hands to yourself,” said Kristin Ahrens, middle school nurse and health education teacher. Fifth grade is the first level where puberty and human development is introduced, with a comprehensive two-to-three day

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program, beginning with a parent night, with parents previewing the videos and material.

“Then the students see the video and have a question and answer session the next day,” Ahrens said, noting in fifth grade the course is taught single sex. “In fifth grade, we focus strictly on puberty and body changes, on what they're going to experience in the next few years.”

Ahrens said the middle schools' honor covenant, with its four pillars of respect, responsibility, honesty, and good judgement, provide the structure to the middle schools' program. “They go hand-in-hand with our human development program and growing up,” she said. “We bring in the character development aspect, and that continues all the way through.”

In seventh grade, she said, they begin talking about friendship with the opposite gender, respect, and how to not have peer pressure affect how you interact with your friends. They also discuss cyberbullying. “We deal with human development, really focusing on getting to know themselves so they can be respectful and responsible human beings. It's not sex ed, but focused on respect.”

In eighth grade, behavior and consequences are addressed, as well as risky behavior, whether its from sexual activity or drinking and driving. They also begin the discussion on HIV/AIDS and STIs on a basic level.

Detroit Country Day students take one semester of health education in ninth grade, where the sex education component is abstinence-based but not mandated, dealing with human development, a unit which includes STIs, unintended pregnancies, and reinforce drug and substance abuse issues.

Roeper's seventh grade health class is Human

Sexuality, meeting every other day over 14 weeks.

It's a co-ed class with 12 to 14 students. “I offer a meeting for parents at the start of the year to tell them about the class, and I show them the portion of the video which shows the birth of a baby from “Life's Greatest Miracle,” a PBS Nova production,” said Carolyn Borman, acting middle school director.

“Human reproduction is a part of the curriculum, but as important are the other components of sexuality.

The approach is very open. I have a question box so that the kids can ask questions anonymously, but pretty often, they get pretty comfortable asking them in class. I cover sexual harassment, sexting, assertiveness skills and communication skills.

Parents are generally glad to have their children participate, and I've been told that it has facilitated conversations they have at home.”

Components of the class deal with body awareness, intimacy and relationships, sexual identity , gender roles, and sexual attractions, reproduction and sexual health, and sexualization. oeper continues their sex education discussions in ninth grade. “I like to introduce it as not just as sex but as developing relationships,” said upper school health teacher Todd Dunfield. “It's about learning, trusting, mutual respect, the values that you develop within your relationship, different relationships, looking at same sex relationships versus heterosexual relationships, and diversity within relationships.

When we cover relationships in detail, then we move to anatomy. When we cover that in detail, we cover pregnancy accurately, and in depth.”

Dunfield said he talks factually with his students, using statistics from the Center for

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Diseases Control and the website teenhealth.org, which he said has reliable information addressing many teen myths.

“When we talk about sex, we focus on the physical aspect, that the result can be pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases,” he said. “Then we move to the mental and emotional aspects of sex, and how people's feelings can change. We also talk about the social ramifications play into it, from breakups or overhearing that you're in a sexual relationship. We talk about perceptions, both good and bad, and how you can be perceived by your peers. It's important to discuss all aspects of a relationship.”

He emphasized that they talk about all aspects of sexuality. “We talk about waiting, if and when.

We talk about values. We talk about talking with their parents, and respecting their views and expectations, and their feelings if they have an unplanned pregnancy. We talk about and promote that if they are sexually active about getting tested, that often, people don't know if they have a disease, and that they can pass that disease on. We talk about the importance of protecting themselves and the people they love. We talk about sex and the law, sexting, text messaging, and the risks associated with it, and we talk about date and acquaintance rape.”

Dunfield said he always encourages his students to have open dialogue with their parents, and vice versa. “I have the belief that parents who communicate with their children about their expectations regarding sex and relationships typically have children who make better decisions and make less risky decisions because of that connection with their parents.”

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So what's the real answer? Is President Obama actually Chicken Little, falsely running around scaring the populace, or are the Republicans really hard-hearted Scrooges, unfeeling and uncaring about average citizens lives?

Like most situations, the truth reverberates somewhere between the two.

What is known as the sequester is a budgeting mechanism of across-the-board federal spending reductions which was the result of a compromise in August 2011 between President Obama and House Republicans in exchange for increasing the federal debt limit past the November 2012 election. This sequestration is a two percent reduction in the growth of planned government spending, for a total of $85 billion this fiscal year. It's the process of automatic, across-the-board spending reductions of budgetary resources which are permanently canceled to enforce certain budget policy goals. Sequestration was mandated in the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011, and intended to motivate the president and congress to reach a compromise on $1.3 trillion in savings over the next 10 years. When that compromise was not reached, the BCA triggered sequestration.

“Sequestration” was originally a legal term referring to the act of taking valuable property into custody by an agent of the court and locking it away for safekeeping, usually to prevent the property from being disposed of or destroyed before its ownership dispute could be reconciled. In recent years, the term has been adopted by congress to describe a new fiscal policy procedure originally provided for in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Act of 1985, which was an effort to reform congressional voting procedures in order to make the size of the federal government's budget deficit a matter of choice rather than an arithmetical outcome of the appropriations process, where money is dispensed without always determining if there is money coming in to balance it. The GrammRudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Act specifies that if the dozen or so appropriation bills passed separately by congress for total government spending is in excess of the limits they had laid down for itself in their annual budget resolution, and if they cannot agree on ways to cut back on the total, or if they do not pass a new, higher budget resolution, then an automatic form of spending cutback takes place – which is the “sequestration.”

Under sequestration, an amount of money equal to the difference between the cap set in the budget resolution and the amount actually appropriated is "sequestered" by the U.S. Treasury and not handed over to the agencies to which it was originally appropriated by downtownpublications.com

WHAT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THESE ARE FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS, WITH LIMITED LOCAL, STATE BUDGETARY IMPACT. Congress. In theory, every agency has the same percentage of its appropriation withheld in order to take back the excessive spending on an across-the-board basis. However, Congress has chosen to exempt certain very large programs from the sequestration process, such as Social Security and certain parts of the Defense budget.

To most in government, whether Republican or Democrat, the idea of sequestration has become one of those concepts everyone is afraid of, and has been believed to be so catastrophic that usually congress capitulates to whoever is president at the time to ward off the possibility of it happening by repeatedly raising the budget resolution spending caps upward toward the end of the legislative session in order to match the actual totals already appropriated, wiping out budget reform procedures and increasing the budget deficit. But not this year. And it isn't the only time we've had a sequester.

There was a small sequester in 1986, under President Ronald Reagan, and one planned in 1990, under President George H.W. Bush. It was avoided only after Bush broke his “no new taxes” pledge to join Democrats in a deficitreduction compromise which raised taxes.

This 2013 round is considered significant by some, and not too terrible by others, depending on their particular vantage point.

What is critical to understand is that these are federal budget cuts, with limited local and state budgetary impact.

On a local level, there is actually almost no impact to our residential municipalities from sequestration. Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens said the city will see basically no impact from sequestration. Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner concurred. “On a local level, there are just some capital projects that get occasional funding, and they're already appropriated. Right now, I can't think of any money that is affected by sequestration.”

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said, “The only way it would affect Bloomfield Township would be our ability to get federal grants, and we don't budget for grants; it's just a bonus.”

Savoie noted that in the last 12 months, the Bloomfield Township Fire Department had received a few federal grants, such as a smoke detector grant which allowed them to go into apartments to install and maintain smoke detectors, and a water grant. The township DOWNTOWN

has not had any road construction grants in several years.

“The grants are just a small revenue source for us. If the departments think they can get a grant, they'll fill out a grant application and see if they can get one,” he noted.

Ray Perkins, Bloomfield Township finance director, noted that in fiscal year 2013, which ended March 31, the township received federal grants worth $138,778, including a Homeland Security Fund grant for new police radios for $46,489; the township fire department received $60,832 from an assistance to firefighters grant, including $41,000 which went towards self-sustaining breathing apparatus; and $19,000 towards the first installment on the smoke detector program. The Homeland Security department and fire department received another $4,508 grant, as well as a training grant for the fire department worth $1,500.

Senior services in the township received $12,196 for Meals on Wheels, and a home repair program, which is completely needbased and dependent upon residents applying and qualifying for the grants, received $9,835.

The township also received $3,418 for the balance of a sewer repair grant from the EPA from fiscal year 2012.

“It's sporadic income, and it goes up and down from year to year,” Perkins said.

“Nothing is ever certain (with the feds); you can never count on them.”

Cravens said, “The only thing we get is Community Development Building Grants (CDBG) through Oakland County, and we don't even qualify for them. We get about $5,000 via the county directly, and out of a $9 million budget, we don't see an impact. We had anticipated getting a $5,000 grant we were planning on using for a Meals on Wheels program (for residents) which is not yet in place, but it wouldn't be until next October 1, the next fiscal year. It hasn't yet taken off, so no citizens will be hurt by it if we don't get the grant.”

Local public schools will see a greater financial impact from sequestration. While a majority of public schools' budgets come from the state, they do receive funding for certain programming, such as special education, reading literacy programming, math tutorials, and National School Foods Programs, to provide breakfasts and lunches to underprivileged students.

Robert Glass, superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools, said, “Sequestration effects different districts differently. It depends on how much federal money the district receives.

We don't get much federal money from the feds, because we're not as much of a disadvantaged district. We're pretty wellfunded, being a hold-harmless district.”

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Bloomfield Hills Schools will lose $112,272 this year due to sequestration out of a total $80 million budget. Of that, $15,417 will be lost from Title I, which helps support struggling students; $7,746 will come from Title II, which is professional development for school improvement; and $1,597 from Title III, for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners.

The largest amount, $87,512, will be carved out of IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Educations Act, which is special education.

Birmingham Public Schools, with over 8,200 students (versus 5,500 in Bloomfield Hills), will lose more than Bloomfield Hills. Superintendent Daniel Nerad said they expect to see an approximate $180,000 impact from sequestration, over four to five programs which receive federal fundings.

Nerad said they expect to lose funding dollars in Medicaid Reimbursement dollars; National School Foods program, which they use primarily for lunches; IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Educations Act, which is Special Education, and Title I funding.

“In the short term, we'll be using our fund equity (fund balance) to maintain those programs for our students because we're twothirds of the way through our budget year,” Nerad said. “We're not going to take money from our other programs. In the long term, we may have to have cuts in some of those programs that use federal funds.”

Nerad said it is particularly difficult for the district to absorb the federal sequestration cuts at this time as the school districts are expecting approximately a 5 percent reduction in appropriations in the the next state budget.

“The fact that we're already in a reduced resources environment, additional resources reductions are problematic,” he noted.

Nerad is concerned in particular with the IDEA program cuts, which provide funding for special education, “because the federal government has never followed through with their funding commitment in order for these children to be funded well in the first place. So not only are they not fully funding their original commitment, they're cutting it further.”

He is also apprehensive over Title I funding cuts, which are the critical programs which support the students who are struggling the most to not fail or fall through the cracks.

“They're primarily assisting low income students, and we have a percentage of students at a few schools that get Title I funding,” Nerad said. “It goes to reading literacy and math assistance programs. There are a whole series of reading interventions that can be compromised with reduced funding, which sequestration provides.”

Nerad said that at times there are smaller grants the district can apply for, “but these are idiosyncratic.”

Other districts will see drastic cuts to Head downtownpublications.com

OAKLAND EXPECTS TO SEE CUTS TO AMTRAK SERVICE, HOMELAND SECURITY, LOCAL FEMA PROGRAMS, WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION Start and vocational rehabilitation programs.

Higher education will experience more severe lacerations from sequestration, with research studies likely being hacked, as well as financial aid, Pell Grants, and federal work study programs. Wayne State University said they expect to lose an estimated $7 to $11 million, or more, in federal research funding.

“Although we don’t exactly how the budget sequester will be implemented, we do know that in the short- and long-term, it could be quite devastating to universities like Wayne State University that have a high volume of federally-funded research,” said Hilary Ratner, vice president for research at Wayne State. “We will have to work closely with our deans and faculty to assess and minimize the impact of sequestration challenges we are faced with.”

Oakland County will see more effects from federal sequestration than local municipalities, noted Oakland County Management and Budget Director Laurie VanPelt, “but unfortunately we don't know the full amounts.

The money will hit the state first, and then pass on to the locals.” She said a lot of the federal agencies are still determining where they will be passing on their cuts, exactly how much, and to which programs. “A lot of the effects will not be felt until the next fiscal year, which begins October 1, (2013),” she noted.

Oakland County is expected to see cuts to Amtrak service, Homeland Security, local FEMA programs, and weatherization and energy conservation programs, VanPelt said, but specific dollar figures are not yet available.

Transportation, such as Amtrak, is scheduled to receive a 4 percent cut under sequestration, and employment and training and community development grants are expected to be cut 100 percent.

VanPelt said she believes some countyspecific programs will be affected, such as Community Development Building Grants (CDBG), work force development grants, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and local law enforcement grants. “But we will not know the exact dollar figures until the feds tell the state, and then the state lets us know how much the cuts will be.”

She said that in Oakland County “there is a policy that when we accept a grant, the board of commissioners agrees that when the grant funding gets cut, the grant then goes away. In the 1980s we determined that we didn't want to accept programs that had to be continued but DOWNTOWN

that we couldn't afford. We didn't want to crowd out other general fund programs, so this was the solution that was determined.”

Oakland County Deputy Executive Robert Daddow is non-plussed by sequestration cuts.

“It's $85 billion of cuts out of $3.5 trillion budget,” he said. “In Oakland County, we've lost one-third of our property tax value, and therefore, one-third of our revenue, without losing our services, by restructuring our operations. We're doing it a little bit leaner. They (the federal government) are spending $1 trillion, 250 billion a year over-and-above what they are receiving. What they cut out is not more than 2 to 3 percent operating loss. They should be able to absorb that.”

Daddow said he believes the “hysteria” of the federal government, primarily by the president and the Democrats, “is what we used to call in Oakland County the 'fat team gambit' – the notion that the least important things are offered up first, the projects with less priorities.

It's a lot of bluff. Undoubtedly, over the next several months, we'll see some things (get cut), but not significantly.”

VanPelt said “what gets missed is that Michigan got a lot of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (of 2009 – also known as the federal stimulus), and local governments got a lot of money from the state.

Because state and local governments got those huge influxes of state and federal money, their budgets grew tremendously. But when you get reliant on them, then the cuts feel more deep.

ARRA money has gone away for state and local governments, and the Snyder cuts (instituted by Gov. Rick Snyder) haven't yet been felt. It's going to be a big shock. The actual percentage change without the stimulus money is not as great.”

The Oakland County Sheriff's office will likely see some cuts. “It still remains to be seen. We don't get a lot of support from the feds, just some grants and programs. They've already cut our support by 40 percent,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

According to White House figures, Michigan will lose about $482,000 in justice assistance grants that support law enforcement, prosecution, courts, crime prevention, and drug treatment and enforcement.

Bouchard said the sequestration talk makes him angry, because “in the last four years we have had to cut 165 positions because of budget reductions (from the state) to stay in balance. Meanwhile, the federal government has been doing all sorts of things, and as soon as money gets tight, they talk about police, fire, and teachers – the locals. Their budgets are absurd, with so many staggeringly idiotic items protected as earmarks, but they say they don't have the money to help us. They need to make cuts, but they need to make realistic 51

cuts that any man or woman would do in ten minutes at their kitchen table.”

While he acknowledged that the federal money his department receives is a “sliver” of his budget, “where it is is important. It's for undercover narcotics, shared data and radio communications, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, auto theft prevention task force, and multi jurisdictional efforts, where we heap violent crimes together. It makes it very challenging to do our jobs.”

Bouchard said they'll continue protecting the public, “ but with less bodies. It puts more officers at risk because there are less bodies doing more dangerous things on the streets.”

As the head of the national Sheriffs of America organization, Bouchard said they work to let congress know what is important to law enforcement. “They just go on their merry way,” he said. “I'm frustrated.”

Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA), a community action agency, said it will lose 5 percent of its federal funding, which is more than $800,000 for the rest of the fiscal year. OLHSA said they work to improve the quality of life for people facing crisis while strengthening families, communities, seniors and youths. In 2011, they provided more than 300,000 services to those in need via 70 different programs, including Head Start, food services, WIC, foreclosure assistance, helping with utility bills to avoid shut off, and weatherization assistance.

Due to the sequestration cuts, beginning March 11, all of their non-union employees hours and pay were reduced from 40 hours to 36; three employees were laid off; 10 vacant positions will remain unfilled; all programs but WIC will see cuts. The agency is now closed on Fridays.

OLHSA CEO Ronald B. Borngesser noted that “sequestration affects the agency's ability to provide assistance to those who need it most.”

Prior to the sequester actually occurring, there was a great deal of dialogue on what could happen to the nation's aviation system if/and when the sequester occurred. Doom-andgloom warnings prevailed, from tales of inordinately lengthy lines to get through security at airports because TSA agents would be cut, to flight cancellations, air traffic controller layoffs, even airport closures. What's the truth now that the sequester has happened?

It's actually a mixture of truth and exaggeration.

Under sequestration, the FAA has to reduce their budget by $70.5 million a month for seven months of the fiscal year. “Since the cuts must now be implemented over the course of seven, not 12 months, sequestration will require dramatic indiscriminate cuts significantly affecting services and capacity,” stated a 52

ON THE STATE LEVEL THERE WILL BE A GREATER IMPACT BECAUSE MICHIGAN RECEIVES MORE FUNDS FROM THE FEDS THAT WILL BE CUT. NATCA document on “Sequestration: The Effects on Aviation and Everyday Travel” from February 2013.

Yes, the Department of Transportation is closing over 100 air traffic controller towers at airports with fewer than 150,000 flight operations, or less than 10,000 commercial operations per year, beginning in April. In metro Detroit, that translates to the closure of the control tower at Detroit's Coleman A. Young International Airport, also known as Detroit City Airport, by April 7. The airport, which only handles about 50 commercial flights a day, may still be used, but by pilots communicating with one another.

The 11-member control tower staff at the Ann Arbor airport in Pittsfield Township is also scheduled to be cut, and Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti will lose its nighttime air traffic controllers. Ann Arbor airport primarily sees small corporate jets and flight school activity, and Willow Run sees larger cargo planes, which primarily fly at night. Neither is expected to shut down. In 2012, Ann Arbor airport had 64,000 landings and takeoffs, according to the FAA, while Willow Run airport had 77,316 takeoffs and landings.

At this time, it is unknown if there will be changes at Metro Airport in Romulus due to sequestration, according to airport authorities.

On the state level, sequestration will have a greater impact because Michigan receives more funds from the federal government that will be cut. A Michigan House of Representatives fiscal agency memo noted that major exemptions are Medicaid, food stamps, Pell grants, and most transportation funding, but that the reductions are spread proportionately between the nonexempt discretionary programs and nonexempt mandatory programs, those whose funding is mandated by legislation. The Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) report estimated that Michigan stood to lose $195 million in non-defense funding, $335 million in defense funding, and $33 million in research grants from the National Institutes for Health.

“The sequester will mean fewer jobs and lower salaries for millions of Americans. This year alone, it will mean furloughs for hundreds of thousands of our military men and women. It will mean less funding for vital health research, to the tune of $31 million in Michigan,” said Rep. Sander Levin (D-Bloomfield Township).

“And it will mean even smaller unemployment insurance checks for the state’s 70,000-plus DOWNTOWN

jobless workers who receive federal benefits. We can and should find a balanced replacement that mitigates the economic impact through both additional revenue and spending cuts. It is not too late to act.”

The most significant reductions to be passed down to local municipalities from the state is $83 million in education dollars; $23 million in community health spending; $23.5 million for human services; $10 million in general government spending; $3.5 million to higher education; and $6.3 million for environmental quality.

The effects of sequestration will be felt statewide, from various education cuts to struggling students, slashes to health care and human services, and perhaps a decline in the quality level of our state's environment. Many of us who enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Michigan may see the effects of sequestration this summer when we visit national parks in our state.

Michigan's national parks – from River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historic Park, Father Marquette National Memorial, North Country National Scenic Trail or Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, show off the wildlife, waterfalls, coniferous forests, beaches, sand dunes, and inland lakes that make Michigan a treasure and a travel destination. National parks have been challenged for several years with underfunding, and in the last two years the national government has cut their budgets overall by six percent. The sequester will cut it another five percent, which may force parks to close for some periods, significantly reduce the number of park rangers, and perhaps compromise maintenance, resource protection, visitor safety, and visitor experiences, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. The memo said the cuts will impact every park unit in the system, across the United States.

“A sharp decrease in park budgets would inevitably lead to a reduction in seasonal staff that provides maintenance work that is central to a pleasant visiting experience: grounds upkeep, cleaning bathrooms and campgrounds, trail work, signage, painting, and more,” The National Parks Conservation Association asserted.

In recent days, it was announced that, as of March 31, the state of Michigan will be reducing unemployment benefit checks by 10.7 percent for federal benefits. Josh Drobnyk, spokesperson for Rep. Sander Levin (DBloomfield Township), noted that amounts to approximately $30 per check. “The average check is $285, so that takes it down to $255,” Drobnyk said.

So, the final analysis of sequestration is the glass is neither half-full, nor half-empty. It just depends on where you're sipping it from.

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Bloomfield $995,000 Immaculate and pristine home with access to Gilbert Lake! Private 1+ acre lot. Foyer with marble floor and circular staircase. Gourmet center island kitchen with granite, Brazilian cherry. Hearth room with fireplace. Family room with hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, skylights, wall of windows to yard. Formal living room with coved ceilings and fireplace. Formal dining room and quaint study. Master bedroom with his/her closet areas and bath. All bedrooms are spacious with custom millwork. Four bedrooms with four baths. 213011524 Presented by Robert Gleason

Bloomfield $975,000 Elegant raised Ranch on over an acre in prestigious Wabeek North. Over 9,000 square feet with beautiful custom hardwood floors and gilded crown moldings.

Perfect home for large family gatherings. Three bedrooms on main level, each with private bath. One bedroom and bath on lower level. Granite counters and stainless steel appliances in both kitchens. Walkout lower level has two additional possible bedrooms, billiard area, workout area, sports bar, sitting area, workshop. 213022890 Presented by Richard Perry

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Oakland Lake Frontage $1,599,000 1.64 acre, very private Waterfront Estate on Lake Oakland. 187 feet of lake frontage, two story great room, granite counters in large open custom kitchen and all baths. Two master bedroom suites, three fireplaces, finished lower level with family room and fully appointed ten stool wet bar and exercise room. Wrap around porch leading to in-ground pool, professionally landscaped with lake front waterfall loaded with limestone ledge rock and paver. Six car 37 x 57 heated garage. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 212104460 Presented by R.W. Watson

Metamora $799,000 Drastically Reduced! Motivated Seller! Beautiful English Country home on 27 acres with Flint River frontage. Charming keeping room with fireplace, magnificent living room with fireplace and bay window. Spacious Chef 's kitchen with granite and wood counters, breakfast room with bay window. Huge master suite with fireplace, second master suite and in-law suite with kitchen. Spectacular Florida room with lap pool, English gardens, pond and pole building. Five bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 212072343 Presented by David Busch

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Lake Michigan Frontage $2,975,000 Magnificent beach house is located on a wooded site with a gated enclave of only eight lakefront homes - The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Close to the pool, clay tennis courts, golf and ski slopes. High tech, GEO thermal heating/air conditioning. Right on Sleeping Bear Bay beach. Property features a walk out lower lever with hot tub, sauna, steam shower, gym, living room and family room, guest bedroom and fireplaces. Desirable year round family retreat is exquisitely maintained to perfection. Seven bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 210046073 Presented by Mike Cotter

Oxford Township $1,350,000 Spectacular Post and Beam home with 75 rolling, open, wooded acres. Designer perfect kitchen with Bosch Sub Zero, five star appliances, granite and maple floors. Two and half story great room with massive Fieldstone fireplace. First floor master, library, finished lower level with fireplace, bar, exercise room, sauna, in-ground pool, heated pool house and cabana. Six car garage, dog kennel, beautiful Morton barn, caretakers home, dairy barn and out buildings. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212107747 Presented by David Busch

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Bloomfield $1,199,000 Custom crafted masterpiece built in 2006! Flowing floor plan adorned with custom carved wood walls, coffered ceiling and high end finishes. Gorgeous kitchen with gathering area, dramatic foyer and theater room. Two entry level bedroom for au pair or guests. Custom archways on second floor leads to extensive master suite with fabulous dressing room, morning bar, sauna and exercise room. Two spacious additional bedroom suites and second floor laundry.

212117120 Presented by Renee Lossia Acho & Marcy Sucher

Birmingham $889,000 Beautiful center entrance Colonial in Poppleton Park. Large updated kitchen with center cooking island/butlers pantry and ceramic/granite counters.

Exceptional natural wood trim throughout house. Dual staircases. Master suite has large walk in closet and exceptional bath with jetted tub/steam shower.

Third floor has 500 square foot storage space. Partially finished lower level. Home is in mint condition. Five bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213021208 Presented by T. Gerald Etue

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Farmington Hills $995,000 Unique Albert Kahn Contemporary on exquisite lot. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. Master suite with his/her baths and large closet. Fabulous walkout with indoor pool with two changing rooms and kitchenette, separate hot tub and large gym all leads to a wonderful bluestone patio. Backs to 7th hole of Franklin Hills Country Club. Three bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 212086377 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Bloomfield $619,000 Stately center entrance Colonial on a large lot. Impeccably remodeled! Gracious foyer opens to formal dining room, large living room with fireplace. Eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances and cozy family room with fireplace and built-ins. Spacious screened porch off of family room. Elegant master suite and walk in closet with laundry. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212117666 Presented by Renee Lossia Acho

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Bloomfield $799,000 Beautiful and spacious Brick Ranch on 1.49 acres. Huge master suite with walk in closet, master bath with separate shower, jetted tub and double sink.

Bedroom two and three are suites. Granite kitchen with breakfast room. First floor laundry. Partial finished basement. Stunning four seasons room leads to brick patio. Fenced dog run. Gilbert Lake privileges. Four bedrooms with four baths. 213011543 Presented by Gerald Etue & Kelly Etue

Rochester Hills $490,000 Former model deluxe with many custom features. Study and family room have traditionally timeless architectural paneling. Family room with wet bar and custom bookcases. Kitchen with granite, Jenn-Air 4-6 burner cook top, double ovens, wine fridge and trash compactor. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

213007554 Presented by Susan Lozano

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Bloomfield Hills $995,000 Stunning Bloomfield Hills Unit. Fully updated in 2006. First floor master with huge custom closet and large bath. Hardwood floors through out. Ten foot plus ceilings with crown moldings. Fabulous kitchen with Bosch and Sub Zero Appliances. Three bedrooms upstairs with hardwood floors and three baths with marble. Open floor plan. Lower level new wine cellar with copper and stone, exercise room. Heated garage. A must see! Four bedrooms with 5.1 baths.

213015201 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Troy $369,900 Weston Downs original model featuring all the builders upgrades. Private courtyard to beautiful entry. Hardwood floors, nine foot ceilings, custom upgraded cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms. Granite and stainless appliances. First floor master suite. First floor laundry. Great room with cathedral ceilings, fireplace with slate hearth and mantel. Two car attached garage. Sprinklers, outdoor lighting and ground maintenance. This home has it all with the finest appointments.

Two bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213006896 Presented by Erin Keating Dewald

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Maceday Lake Frontage $875,000 Fantastic views of "All Sports" Maceday Lake. Dramatic two story foyer with winding Oak staircase. Over 5,000 sq ft of living space with finished walk out lower level. Unique master bedrooms on both first and second floor. Two brick fireplaces, huge deck, wet bar, premium appliances and island kitchen. Boat dock included. Four bedrooms and four baths. 212093793 Presented by Dawn Williams

Orion Township $539,900 Nestled in the prestigious St Andrews Estates overlooking the 15th hole on the "New Course" at Indianwood Country Club. Home exudes custom features including coffered ceiling in library, two story foyer, three fireplaces, first floor master suite, plantation shutters, jetted tub, walk in closets, dual staircases, lower level wine cellar and phenomenal bar, pool room, work-out room. Striking views overlook pond and private wooded yard from most rooms throughout the home. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213014430 Presented by Susan Johnson

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Rochester Hills $675,000 Nature lover's dream! Abundance of deer in your own backyard. Wooded on half acre with large deck overlooking stoney waterfall and perennial gardens.

Over 8,000 sq ft of living space. First floor master suite. New roof, garage doors, interior/exterior paint and stained deck (2012) Wine cellar and dry sauna, exercise and bar/billiard room. Five bedrooms and 4.2 baths. 213022692 Presented by Maria Constante and Dawn Williams

Brandon $689,000 Enjoy your own private fishing and golf on this 42 acre retreat. Brick two level Ranch with 5,500 square feet of living space including a private guest wing.

Twelve acre private lake (great fishing), two par three golf holes. Two master suites and two great rooms with full wall fireplaces. Walkout lower level, terraced gardens and 30' x 50' Pole Barn. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212065181 Presented by Beverly McCotter

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Bloomfield $459,000 1920's Architectural Gem designed by Richard Marr, open with lots of light, arched doorways and a cedar roof. Great for entertaining. Lovely gardens are in keeping with the home. Coveted Bloomfield Hills school district. Close to shopping and freeways. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213022019 Presented by Amy Parker

Huntington Woods $429,000

Birmingham $279,000

Classic Colonial home filled with natural light and wonderful updates! This home features an open floor plan, hardwood flooring, coved ceilings and recessed lighting throughout, large master suite with great walk in closet and vaulted ceiling. Updated white kitchen with newer appliances, professionally finished lower level with 5th bedroom and full bath. New roof in 2012. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213022468 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

If carefree downtown Birmingham living is what you are looking for, this is it!

Close to town from this beautifully remodeled condo with state of the art kitchen, including custom cabinetry with Miele refrigerator. Â This bright end unit also features a finished lower level family room, newly updated baths, hardwood floors, new furnace and much more. Two bedrooms with 1.1 baths.

213010133 Presented by Mia Bardy

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Washington Township $490,000 An incredible opportunity to own a piece of history. The Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast (not currently operating) is a charming 1860 Greek Revival that sits upon six acres. There is much of the original woodwork and hardwood floors. Cherry kitchen with all appliances. Four fireplaces, in ground pool (needs repairs). Eleven stall horse barn, pole barn and a two acre corral. The house and barn have newer roofs. Five bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213023932 Presented by Anthony Scaccia

Highland $294,900

Farmington Hills $244,900

Updated Colonial on a premium lot in a desired high end sub of Timber Ridge. Bring your fussy buyers to see the beautiful home ready to move into.

Half acre property with the privacy of wooded yard. Large master bedroom and bath with an attached room for a nursery or library. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213007734 Presented by Dee Brooks

Motivated Seller! Private Setting, free standing executive Condo in sought after Essex Club. Beautifully maintained with granite kitchen, newer stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, full basement ready to finish. Master bedroom suite with jetted tub and separate shower. New 2011 hot water heater and roof. Great location near shops and restaurants.

Extensive Association Coverage. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213024223 Presented by Michelle Yurich

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Birmingham $639,000 Cape Cod located directly across from Pembroke Park. Perfect family home! Kitchen with granite, hardwood floors, flows nicely into dining and family room.

Mud room off side entry. Huge master suite his/hers closets, spacious master bath double sinks with tumbled marble, soaking tub. Second laundry in full bath upstairs. Finished basement, plenty storage additional laundry. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213014109 Presented by Audrey Faust & Michael Sbrocca

Birmingham $999,000

Royal Oak $449,900

Spectacular opportunity on private lot backing to a gorgeous ravine setting.

Contact agent today and meet with experienced builder to design the plans for this incredible renovation in the heart of Birmingham. 213016317 Presented by Ronni Keating & Kristina Seth

Spectacular and renovated to perfection! Remodeled kitchen with Kitchen aid appliances, cherry cabinets, granite, cabinet lighting. All baths completely remodeled. Finished recreation room with built in entertainment center and gas fireplace. Bedroom four/workout room. Hardwood floors, newer furnace and air, hot water heater, all new windows and doors. B-dry basement. First floor laundry. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213023543 Presented by Kay Hartwell

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Bloomfield $650,000 Amazing home with views of Oakland Hills. Spacious and airy, this home is drenched with natural light showing off the gorgeous 5" plank oak floors. Redone in 2010. Kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances. Large open floor plan ideal for entertaining. Family room in back of the house has a wall of sliding glass doors to backyard, two tiered deck. Beautiful views of yard. Four bedrooms with three baths. 213024237 Presented by Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

Bloomfield Hills $475,000

Bloomfield $369,900

Beautiful tri-level contemporary home surrounded by the beauty of Lone Pine Road. Natural elements of cultured stone drape the interior walls from floor to ceiling. Modern designed custom kitchen stainless steel appliances.

Natural bamboo flooring, fully renovated in 2012. Large treed lot with multilevel deck makes for a perfect entertainers space. Large freshly paved circular drive. Four bedrooms with three baths. 213023128 Presented by Dan Gutfreund

Highest elevated lot in Turtle Lake. Premier site in "The Bluffs." Huge lot was originally two lots merged into one oversized lot. Unobstructed view of the water all year. Just shy of an acre at the end of a cul-de-sac. Private gated community. Buyer to verify all building requirements and restrictions. Land contract available. 213004884 Presented by Dawn Williams & Maria Constante

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FACES

Karie Ross

F

ormer ESPN SportsCenter anchor and College Football Gameday reporter Karie Ross grew up around football, often going to games with her father.

Her fervor for sports was shaped by the early exposure in her small hometown of Clinton, Oklahoma.

“My father was a huge sports fan, so he started taking me to Oklahoma football games in diapers. My dad’s enthusiasm for sports is really how I connected with sports. I’ve always just loved sports as a spectator but never really had the chance to play.” Ross stayed connected to football and basketball as a cheerleader.

Her first taste of sports journalism came as sports editor of the Clinton High School newspaper. “I absolutely loved it. It just really clicked for me then,” she said.

Ross studied journalism at the University of Oklahoma where she was a cheerleader, on the pompom squad, and a mat maid for wrestling. “Once again I was on the sidelines cheering,” she said. “And I was a bat girl for the baseball team. Do you think I was obsessed with sports or what?”

In 1981, Ross was crowned Maid of Cotton and won the opportunity to travel the world as the representative of the U.S. cotton industry. “My little world of Clinton, Oklahoma suddenly exploded. That’s when I really decided I wanted to do television.”

She took her first internship with KOKH-TV while still in college. “I went from KOCO-TV to WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio and was there for three years and went from Ohio to ESPN,” she said. “I worked on College Football Gameday and that was the highlight for me because I was born and raised around college football.”

One of her proudest moments includes the changes she made for women at ESPN. “I stood up for women at ESPN for sexual harassment. It was a really tough situation for the women there and I literally put my career on the line to do it.”

Ross worked as a sports anchor for Sports News Network and WTVJ-TV and as the host of the Miami Dolphins Monday Night Magazine where she met her husband, current Detroit Tigers President and GM Dave Dombrowski, before moving to Michigan with him, where she volunteers her time as a board member of Jack’s Place for Autism and as a mentor for Women of Tomorrow.

“I get a lot of gratification from that. They teach me a lot more than I teach them,” she said. Ross is also the spokesperson of Pennies for Paws, a charity she founded that is partnered with the Detroit Tigers.

“A lot of people in Michigan don’t know what I did prior to having children.

When I was in Miami, I was a sportscaster so people knew me as Karie Ross, the sportscaster who met Dave. In Michigan, I’m just the housewife and wife of Dave. My friends and family back home all know and are very supportive and proud of these things I’ve accomplished,” she said.

Since moving to Michigan in 2002, Ross has enjoyed living in Bloomfield Hills with Dave and their two children, Darbi and Landon. “It’s been a fantastic place to raise our kids. Michigan is home for them and they know nothing else.

“As the wife of Dave, I hope the future holds the world championship for the Tigers,” Ross said. “Hopefully, we’ll still be in Michigan. That means the Tigers are still doing great and my husband still has a job there.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP Bloomfield Hills chief retires

By Lisa Brody

The Bloomfield Hills City Commission on Tuesday, March 12, accepted the resignation of public safety chief Richard Matott and began making plans to launch a search for a replacement, including naming an interim chief until the position is filled.

Matott has been under increasing pressure from both the city commission and the city manager in recent months so his retirement did not come as a surprise to many.

Commissioner Mike Zambricki said he was not surprised by Matott's retirement notice, adding, "It's probably the right time for the chief to move on. He understands he's been under increasing pressure to achieve certain things that he has not been able to do."

Zambricki said the city commission and city manager Jay Cravens had been working with Matott on having him improve his job performance, reduce overtime of the city's public safety employees and decrease turnover of the public safety staff, "as well as get a good sense of management control over the ranks, of the people reporting to him."

Off the record in recent weeks, some have said that one of the concerns of the city manager and commissioners has been the disciplinary handling of an off-duty DUI arrest in October 2012 of Matott's son, Richard Matott Jr., a Bloomfield Hills public safety officer. The incident involved the arrest of Matott Jr. in Shelby Township where he failed field sobriety tests after he was found asleep at the wheel, with a loaded gun, at the intersection of Hayes Road and 26 Mile Road, according to police records obtained by Downtown under the Freedom of information Act. While he was suspended for 144 hours (3.5 weeks) without pay for conduct unbecoming an officer and excessive use of alcohol, the commission and manager learned it was not the first disciplinary action involving Matott Jr. The incident led to the commission's adoption of a city-wide anti-nepotism ordinance in November 2012.

Cravens also instituted last-chance agreements throughout the city. The last chance agreement gives the employee who has committed serious misconduct one last chance to keep his/her job, provided certain conditions are met. The written downtownpublications.com

Township police chief Bowden to retire

By Lisa Brody

B

loomfield Township Police Chief Kirt Bowden will retire, effective May 16, marking the end of a 35-year career with the police department.

Bowden rose through the ranks to become chief in 2007. He was first hired in Bloomfield Township in 1977 as a patrol officer, and he was consistently promoted, becoming a detective in 1988, a sergeant in 1993, a lieutenant in 1999 and a captain in 2002. He was appointed deputy chief in March 2006, and chief of the department a year later in March, 2007.

During his long and distinguished career, Bowden received a department unit commendation, an honorable mention, a meritorious service recognition, and a letter of recognition. In 1987, Bowden was named Officer of the Year for Bloomfield Township Police.

To further his career, in 2007 Bowden completed a three-month course at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The course is a select program for law enforcement executives which focuses on both educational and physical training. As chief, he encouraged three members of his command staff to apply for the course, and they also successfully completed the training.

“Kirt has been a pleasure to work with,” Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said. “Of any officer, he has always been steadfast.

No matter who you are, everyone is treated equally. He and the command staff have worked together for a smooth transition plan. He will be missed.”

Under former township supervisor Dave Payne, succession plans for all department heads were instituted, and no outside search will be done to fill Bowden's shoes. Township officials noted that Bowden's retirement was planned, and had been under consideration for quite a while.

Savoie said, “We are not going to the outside to look for the new chief.

We have a very talented command staff and a deputy chief in place. I will recommend my choice to the board of trustees, and they will have the opportunity to vote on that at an early May board meeting.”

Savoie said he expects a seamless transition for a process that he said really started three or four years ago. “We have an excellent deputy chief and two captains who are excellent,” he said.

“As a trustee and a resident, the chief has always had my utmost trust, respect and confidence,” said trustee Brian Kepes. “Chief Bowden proudly and honorably served the residents of Bloomfield Township, and in typical township fashion, left the department better than he found it.”

“Bowden will be sorely missed. He is a great chief who is looked up to by everyone here,” said township trustee Neal Barnett. “He has a great love and passion for what he does, and it radiates through the department. The camaraderie and pride within the department comes from him. His presence will be felt long after he leaves.”

agreements are signed by the employee, the union and the employer.

While Matott's current retirement notice stated an effective date of May 31, Zambricki said, "We need to discuss the pros and cons of having him stick around for two-plus months."

At the commission meeting, Cravens said he felt 30 to 45 days would be appropriate. “The chief has trained his lieutenants very well, but they do not know everything. There is payroll and other loose ends that need to be tied up and passed on,” he said.

It was determined that April 30 would be Matott's last day.

Cravens said he had asked Lt. Terry McDonnell to be interim chief until a new chief is hired.

When asked to say a few words, Matott, who began his career in dispatch, said, “I've had a terrific career here. I reached my pinnacle when I became chief here. We've had some bumps in the road the last three to four years, but it's been a great community to work for.”

The commission then moved on to the recruitment process, which Cravens said they could either handle themselves or hire a recruitment firm, noting he felt they had “used up MML

DOWNTOWN

(Michigan Municipal League)” with the recent financial director search.

He said he had meetings scheduled with several local police chiefs who may provide insight and candidates.

He said he had spoken to three search firms that handle police, fire and dispatch, but they would be expensive, up to $10,000 for a search.

Commissioner Stuart Sherr said while he was leaning towards the city doing it themselves, “we want qualified candidates. I know what it looks like, but I don't talk the talk. I think we should at least try to do this ourselves. This is a pricey and prestigious community, and word will get around.”

Commissioner Mike Dul disagreed.

“That can take a long time to find, and we want and need a good regional candidate.”

While commissioner Pat Hardy urged the commission to consider current public safety officers, McClure, Zambricki, Sherr and Dul all indicated they would like to seek an outside candidate.

"We will do a broad search to look for the best candidate who has had proven results. We need someone who can think outside the box and get the job done," Zambricki said. "We need someone who can show that they are cognizant of the economic and fiscal responsibilities at the same time that they can manage a public safety organization."

"We want to do it right. It's just too critical," Sherr said. "People's personal safety and personal property are at stake. The city's financial health is also critical. I want to take the time to do it right, but not too much time. I would err on the side of taking the time and finding the right candidate.”

Cravens said he would develop a description for a new chief, speak to area police chiefs and report back to the board.

Garden site okayed to be redeveloped The Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, March 13, unanimously approved plans for a Floyd's 99 Barbershop and Jersey Mike's Subs to fill the space at 33779 Woodward Avenue that at one time housed Woodward Gardens and Bordine's.

According to submitted plans, Floyd's 99 Barbershop, part of a national chain of full-service hair shops for men and women that has its own radio station, will go into the existing 87

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04.13

THE CHOICE brick building that formerly housed Highway Collision. The company's website says their success is based on providing “great customer service delivered by the best hairstylists and barbers in the business, in a fun and high-energy environment, at a great value.” They call themselves the “original rock and roll barbershop.”

Jersey Mike's Subs, a nationwide sub shop chain out of Pittsburgh that has been around since 1956, has plans to go into a new one-story building that will be built on the former greenhouse site.

Previously, a Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins had received preliminary site plan approval for the site, but in October Birmingham planners were notified that the owners had decided to look south on Woodward, likely in Royal Oak. Originally, the owner of the site wanted to construct the Dunkin Donuts with a drive through in the rear of the building, but Birmingham's planning department would not recommend the approval of the drive through lane because it would create several traffic conflicts in the alley, which is a public alley, and could block entry to the rear entrance of the restaurant, which is supposed to be located near the entrance to the drive through, requiring pedestrians to cross through traffic to enter. It would also block the parking for neighboring spot How About Lunch if the drive through lane were to be backed up by two or more cars.

Furthermore, Birmingham Planner Matt Baka pointed out to the planning board, traffic from the northbound lane through the alley could be forced to veer into the oncoming traffic lane of Woodward, which would be a hazard.

To accommodate the drive through, the establishment would also necessitate removing parking spaces, which the planning department said they could not recommend.

At the time, the planning board postponed the request for the site plan approval, pending the owner's return with revisions removing the drive through. The August site plan approval was without a drive through.

Greenbaum named library trustee An open trustee position at the Bloomfield Township Public Library was filled by resident Elie Greenbaum after eight residents threw their hat in the ring for the vacant spot.

Each applicant had the opportunity downtownpublications.com

on Saturday, March 9, to openly audition, in a sense, for the opportunity to represent their fellow citizens on the board.

In February, the Bloomfield Township Public Library announced that they had a vacancy on its library board of trustees due to the resignation of library trustee Joseph Falik, who announced his resignation due to a move out of the township at the December 18 board meeting. Library director Karen Kotulis-Carter said the board was seeking to fill the position.

Residents Joan Berndt, Ellerie Brownfair, Charlton Burch, R. Kelley Cook, Eugene Dixon, Elie Greenbaum, Judith Greenbaum and Ann Manning each responded to the call for public service. Following the round of interviews, trustees chose Elie Greenbaum to fill the position.

Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield Our print edition, mailed to homes in Birmingham/Bloomfield, plus newsstands, at the start of each month.

Full-color. Upscale design.

Strong editorial environment.

DowntownPublications.com Our on-line rendition of the print version, plus updates during each week as news breaks in the local area.

Facebook.com/DowntownPublications Constant updates from our publishing group.

Charter amendment to go on ballot Birmingham City commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to place a charter amendment on this November's ballot to change Birmingham's charter to match new changes in Michigan's election law, which now requires the filing deadlines for all offices to be the fifteenth Tuesday before the election at 4 p.m.

Per Michigan election law, the new filing deadline goes into effect January 1, 2014.

According to Birmingham's city charter, any changes to the charter must go be approved by voters.

According to city clerk Laura Broski, the charter amendment will not affect the 2013 filing deadlines for Birmingham city commission or library board candidates, who will file under the 2010 law, which is the twelfth Tuesday before the election at 4 p.m.

A charter amendment requires a three-fifths vote of the city commission in order to submit the proposed amendment to the governor for approval. Once the language is approved by the governor and the attorney general, it will be submitted to the Oakland County Elections Division to be placed on the November 5, 2013 ballot.

The charter amendment, developed by city attorney Tim Currier, allows voters to approve an amendment that would simply make the city filing deadline in line with the state now and if there were further state changes to the filing deadlines so the charter does not have to be changed again.

Twitter.com/DowntownPubs One more way to keep local residents updated on quick items of interest in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

The Guide The annual community directory providing information on local, county and state government, pubic and private schools, houses of worship, hospitals, parks and much more. Mailed to local residents.

Black Book of Non-Profits Our annual guide to the major and minor fund-raising events in the world of non-profit groups in southeast Michigan from November each year until the end of October in the following year. A must read (and save) for those who help underwrite the efforts of the community groups by their attendance at the major social happenings each year. Mailed to local residents.

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Bella Piatti reopens, changes team Bella Piatti, an Italian restaurant at 167 Townsend in Birmingham, reopened on February 13 with a new management team and chef after closing at the end of the year.

Liz Cutraro said that she and her husband Nino have a management agreement to redo the restaurant and run it as they see fit, and Nino was recently approved by the Birmingham City Commission to have part ownership of the restaurant.

The owners of Bella Piatti, Mindy Lopus and Bob vonHellemont, divorced, and as part of their settlement, “Mindy took Tallulah's (on Bates in Birmingham), and Bob got Bella Piatti,” Liz Cutraro said.

Cutraro said they have redone everything, from the management, menu, décor and staffing. “The décor has been changed. It looks like a totally different restaurant,” she said.

“From our murals on the walls, to the new airlock at the front door, which created a vestibule, to new seating and

draperies. We have linens on the tables and linen napkins. It's very exciting.

We're having a great response.”

They hired a new chef, Francesco Apollinia, who is Venetian born and raised, “and we're Sicilian,” Cutraro said of her and her husband, “so it's a very Italian restaurant, from all regions.

We're pleasing all of the palates.”

The new menu, which is serving full portions at what she said is more moderate prices than the previous incarnation, features pastas, steak, fish, salads and specializes in risotto.

They have a full bar and wine list.

Currently, the restaurant, which operates under one of Birmingham's bistro licenses, only serves dinner, but they plan to open for lunch in the spring. Cutraro said they will have the outdoor dining platform again this season.

Township ready to approve budget Bloomfield Township continued discussions of the proposed 2013-2014 fiscal year budget at the Monday, March 11 board of trustees meeting.

The township's fiscal year begins April 1, 2013, and goes until March 31, 2014. The board accepted the budget for an anticipated approval at their meeting on Thursday, March 28, after this publication goes to press.

In the proposed budget, revenues for 2013-2014 are projected to increase, from $37.8 million in the current budget, to $39 million. Anticipated expenditures for 2013-2014 are also expected to be more than the current budget, with new expenditures proposed at $38.1 million.

Current 2012-2013 expenditures are estimated to be $37.2 million.

Township supervisor Leo Savoie said the biggest issue in the upcoming budget is a 2 percent pay increase for every township employee.

“This past year was the fifth year of a pay freeze for all non-unionized township employees, and the fourth year for unionized employees,” he said.

Property taxes will see a modest increase in the upcoming budget, anticipated to rise to $29.2 million. In fiscal year 2011-2012, the township brought in $29 million in property taxes, and 2012-2013 property taxes are expected to bring in $28.6 million.

Besides property taxes, the township expects to receive $3 million in state revenue sharing. Investment income should bring in $700,000, and other sources, $6 million.

The township's largest expenditure is public safety, at $24.2 million.

Allocations to the general fund are at $9 million; and the road fund is expected to receive $3.7 million.

Hamilton Room has closed down Hamilton Room, the Birmingham nightclub at 201 Hamilton Row, closed Saturday, March 9, after it hosted a closing party.

Tracy Wilson, general manager of The Dali Group, which owns and operates the nightclub, confirmed that the party was “the last of our weekly openings. We will be available for private events in the future.”

In February, The Dali Group closed Barrio, the restaurant adjacent to Hamilton Room. Wilson said the organization is diverting as many employees as possible to their other restaurant, Chen Chow, an Asian fusion

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and sushi restaurant at 260 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham.

“The landscape in this town has become difficult to do business in with large venues, and especially difficult for nightclubs, ” Wilson said, representing The Dali Group owner Eric Doelle, who was out of the country. Wilson emphasized that Chen Chow “is alive and well. It's doing very well for us.

Chen Chow has been a staple in this town for almost six years. It has a unique mix. It's been a profitable restaurant for us.”

Wilson said that those wishing to book the space for private events can contact them at the Hamilton Room phone number, at Chen Chow or through their website.

Pierce construction now under way Work has begun on the construction project for the downtown Birmingham streets of Pierce, between Maple and Merrill, and Merrill from Pierce to S. Old Woodward, which are to be closed and under construction from the middle of March until approximately the middle of June.

The major improvement project will provide the streets with new pavement, sidewalks, streetlights, and new water and sewer lines. While at times it might be difficult to maneuver around some of the trucks and excavating equipment, all of the businesses will remain open.

While street parking will be unavailable during the construction period, the Pierce Street parking structure will remain open and accessible, with the first two hours of parking free at all times. City engineer Paul O'Meara said sidewalks will be open as much as possible, and signs will be installed to direct both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

To celebrate the re-opening of the completed project, the city, retailers and restaurateurs along the affected route are beginning to plan a Pierce Street block party for Saturday, July 13, from noon to 9 p.m., on Pierce between Maple and Merrill streets. There will be family-friendly activities from noon to 5 p.m., including outdoor cooking demonstrations, outdoor dining, retail right in the streets, and special promotions and sales to coincide with the block party.

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Baldwin seeking architectural bids

By Lisa Brody

The Birmingham City Commission on March 4 unanimously approved a resolution to accept the proposed Baldwin Public Library Building Program, and to permit the library to accept requests for proposals for bids on architectural services to design the work for the library.

The Joint Library Building Committee, a six-member commission, has spent the last year determining the future needs of Birmingham's Baldwin Library based on input from the public through a community-wide survey, a community forum and several focus groups, as well as site visits to area libraries, a comprehensive benchmarking study and work with a library professional to conduct research on library trends and the future of public libraries.

The city commission also unanimously approved a resolution for the committee to continue. The members are library board members Jim Suhay, David Underdown, and Frank Pisano; city commissioners Rackeline Hoff, Scott Moore and Gordon Rinschler; and planning board member Janelle Boyce.

To date, the committee has determined that whether a full scale expansion of Baldwin Library is done, or a renovation of its space, certain principles should guide any work. These principles are: maintaining the spirit of the Grand Hall, and if possible, letting it infuse the rest of the building; improved blending of the Youth Room and the Birkerts addition into the building's original architectural style; ensuring that all square footage of the building is used to the best effect, including the lower level and second floor; making the library's spaces as flexible as possible since the future will likely bring changes in library usage; create a more spacious, less cluttered layout which would integrate a more retail model; improved lighting; enhanced way-finding; less shelf space allocation for collection as the move continues from print to electronic formats, and audiovisual materials from print; the importance of keeping the main traffic areas free of clutter.

The request for proposal will permit architectural firms to develop a reasonable and affordable proposal based on the community's wish list; estimate the cost of the proposal; and provide architectural renderings and materials necessary to convey their proposal.

The committee has identified a list of needs for the libraries, and then a list of downtownpublications.com

wants. The higher-priority items, identified as needs, include a larger and better laid out Youth Room, including a larger Children's Activity Room and a larger and better laid out Teen Room; more study and collaboration rooms and quiet study areas; improving handicap accessibility; creating a more inviting public entrance, both inside and outside; improving the service desks, office areas, and storage areas for staff, as well as a safe and easy-to-access staff entrance and a functional loading dock; and improving the organization of the collections.

The additional space required for meeting this list of “needs” is 5,657 net square feet, which translates into 8,841 gross square feet, a 22 percent increase from the library's current gross square footage of 40,174 square feet, to 49,015 square feet.

Then there is the list of wants - lower priority items which, depending on costs and architectural layout, could possibly be incorporated into a new library plan, especially if the library board and city commission approve a full-scale expansion of the library, rather than a more modest renovation. The additional space to include the wants list is another 4,075 gross square feet, or another 10 percent increase of the library's current space.

The wants list include a bookstore, to be operated by the Friends of the Library, or on a self-serve basis; a cafe or vending machines; storerooms; increased space for information technology and technical services; a street level or curbside material return box or slot; an outdoor patio connected to the library; and more and larger restrooms.

Golf courses end year on high note

By Lisa Brody

The 2012 golf season was a much more positive one for Birmingham's two municipal courses, according to the 2012 golf report presented to the Birmingham City Commission by director of public Services Lauren Wood at the commission meeting on March 18, where it was revealed that revenues had jumped 21 percent from the prior year.

The golf report noted that the two courses, Lincoln Hills and Springdale, brought in an increase in revenue of $187,000 in 2012 over the 2011 season.

“We did real well,” Wood said.

The two golf courses generated $1.07 million in revenue for Birmingham in 2012, providing an operating income of $31,458. In 2011, the courses ran an operating deficit of $126,000.

Additionally, the golf courses are carrying an outlay of $642,131 from the

city's general fund in 2011 for a new clubhouse for Lincoln Hills, as well as irrigation upgrades which still need to be repaid.

Birmingham owns two municipal golf courses, Lincoln Hills Golf Course at 2666 W. 14 Mile Road, just west of Cranbrook Road, and Springdale Golf Course, located at 316 Strathmore Road.

They are each nine-hole courses open seven days a week during the season, with availability for residents, nonresidents and businesses via inexpensive leisure passes.

Wood reported that a revised 2012 golf strategy report “brought forth the new business model for Birmingham golf courses. There were many recommended changes that were completed during the 2012 season.” It resulted in an 54,236 rounds of golf played between the two courses in 2012, versus a little over 42,000 in 2011.

Chief among the the modifications were the acquisition of a Class C liquor license, which then brought about expanded food and merchandise in the two municipal golf course clubhouses.

They hired a new golf operations manager for clubhouse operations, Jacky Brito, a PGA professional with a strong golf background in all aspects of the game. There were modifications to the leisure passes system, including with annual passes and for packages. Wood said they also utilized enhanced marketing tools which included a new and updated website, online tee time reservations, a variety of tournaments, and other promotional activities in order to increase usage of the two municipal courses.

“In all, the 2012 season embarked our courses on a new and, in some cases, daring path towards self-sufficiency,” Wood asserted. “We have charted a new direction and will continue to build on our strengths and address our weaknesses.”

There was a strong increase in leisure pass purchases for 2012, to 1,843 resident passes from 1,244 in 2011. There were 745 business and non-resident passes sold in 2012, from 567 in 2012.

Wood said they intend to maintain leisure pass prices at the same price levels for the 2013 season, although they intend to begin marketing them earlier.

They are $15 for Birmingham residents; $100 for Birmingham businesses; and $150 for a non-resident pass, $200 for dual non-resident passes, or $250 for a family non-resident pass.

It is also believed that the weather played a hand in 2012's favor, with 20 days of 90-plus degree days in July bringing out an increase of golfers to the courses, versus 2011, which was cooler and wetter.

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A SINCERE THANK YOU To my clients, friends and neighbors. Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. And, you've put your trust in me. In fact, I've helped so many of you that I was welcomed into Coldwell Banker's International Diamond Society, a rare and wonderful honor. And, as one of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel's Elite Agents, I've also earned the prestigious Circle of Excellence Award.

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ulitzer Prize-nominated and syndicated cartoonist Henry Payne grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. Today, the Bloomfield Hills resident combines his interest in politics, eye for drawing and ability to write as an editorial cartoonist and weekly columnist for the Detroit News.

“I’ve always had an eye for drawing and writing came much later. Writing came after I got into journalism. As a kid, I drew from before I could remember. I drew dinosaurs and cars like any young boy and fell into cartooning in high school,” he said.

Payne contributed artwork to his high school newspaper and was inspired to draw cartoons by his history teacher. “I thought it was a wonderful way to communicate political ideas.”

He attended Princeton University where he played college basketball, studied American history and continued drawing political cartoons, developing his talent.

His sophomore year, Payne landed a summer internship for Charleston Daily Mail, which evolved into a position as staff cartoonist and artist.

Payne moved to Washington D.C. and began working for Scripps Howard News Service. “Most journalist are the opposite, they work their whole career and wind up in Washington. In my case, I started in Washington.”

An opening came at the Detroit News in 2000 when his predecessor Draper Hill retired. “I was kind of eager to get back to a real town and a manufacturing town that made things.”

As the editorial cartoonist and columnist for The Detroit News, Payne wears many hats including running the politics section as editor. He was also editor of TheMichiganView.com, a commentary publication he started in 2010. “We discontinued that at the end of last year,” he said, due to financial issues.

Throughout his career, Payne’s work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and National Review. In 1985, Payne was the runner-up for a Pulitzer Prize. “I find those prizes less meaningful than being able to draw and write on issues that matter to Detroit.”

His first book was published in wake of the 2000 election. “It’s a combination of articles and cartoons that I did in 2000. I’d like to do a similar thing in wake of the 2012 election. I’m trying to find the time to do that.”

Payne has also illustrated two children’s books for Random House, including one Dr. Seuss book. “I dabble in children’s books from time to time.

My drawing style seems to suit that field,” he said.

The talented journalist lives in Bloomfield Hills with his wife Talbot and two sons, Henry and Sam. “We’re a close family and I’ve had a nice time up here.

They put up with my long hours. Working as a cartoon writer and editor the hours get long, so they’ve been very understanding,” he said.

In his spare time, Payne enjoys racing cars, playing squash and tennis.

“I’m also very involved in my family's company back in West Virginia, so I’m learning more and more about manufacturing as a board member,” he said.

Payne also runs a freelance business, Payne and Ink. “I do some advertising work and draw for various publications outside of the news. It’s kind of a 24/7 day for me,” he said.

“I always like to say a cartoonist is only as good as today’s cartoons.

Tomorrow is a new news day and we try to capture that both in cartoons and in writing. I try to get better at what I do every day.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

John and Gayle Hannett John Hannett Gayle Hannett

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FACES

Megyn Hermez

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s a dancer, Birmingham resident 23-year-old Megyn Hermez has already performed at the Grammy’s, danced for an NBA team, and starred in a music video. After successfully entertaining audiences with her dancing for years, she is now exploring a new path as a vocalist.

“My childhood was not very typical. I grew up in a Chaldean home. It was very difficult for me to be performing,” Hermez said. She first began dancing at the age of five.

“I’d be in the studio all day, everyday, which was very unusual for me coming from my background. Kids my age from that background did the family thing and went to church. I was very detached from my family and friends because dancing and performing took up so much of my time,” she said.

At Novi High School, Hermez was in the choir, involved in drama and on the dance team. “When I was 18, I went to compete in the World Cup of Dance in Spain,” she said. Hermez took second place and soon began searching for other opportunities to continue dancing.

“I was looking on Craigslist and found one ad that said ‘dance for world renowned artist’.” Hermez skeptically attended the audition in Detroit. “I had no idea what I was auditioning for.”

The next day, she was offered a position as a backup dancer for Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band. “I said, ‘that's great, who’s that?’ They said, ‘it’s the guy who sang, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"’ and I said ‘oh, yeah!’”

“Three months later, I was touring all over the world and it finally hit me.”

After two years, she moved to Los Angeles and began to pursue music. “It was basically my calling. I had been ignoring this gift and talent for so long,” she said.

Charlie Wilson’s manager got wind of her interest in music and offered her a record deal. She turned the deal down for various reasons and returned to Michigan to finish the album she had started recording in California. “The album took two years to complete, and it’s been a long two years, so I’m excited about this.”

Her first album “Music is Music”, was released on Friday, March 29, with the help of Aimee Spencer. “It’s a pop rock album but the songs take you on a roller coaster ride. Everything was written off of personal experiences.”

This past summer, Hermez auditioned for the Detroit Pistons D-Town hiphop dance team. “It was short-lived but it was a lot of fun.” Through a teammate on D-Town, Hermez was selected as a backup dancer in Big Sean’s music video Guap. “They only chose seven girls and nobody out of the NBA got a call back except me, so I was really humbled.”

Through touring with Charlie Wilson, Hermez also performed on Lopez Tonight and the Wendy Williams show.

With her dad as her sponsor and mom as a “momager”, Hermez is blessed with the support of her family. “That should say a million words right there.

They’re amazing, the best family I could ever have.”

The Birmingham resident can be often found at the Yoga Shelter and Sweet Earth. “Yoga and yogurt, that’s my favorite,” she said.

“My next goal is to shop for a major record deal and try to get my music out. I’ll probably still be performing locally, but that’s not really what I’m trying to do,” she said. “I’m so passionate about dancing. I don't think I’ll ever stop.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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FACES

Dr. Pamela Benitez

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raveling often as an army brat, Dr. Pamela Benitez used each location as a chance to learn and discover. Today, as a breast surgeon and founder of the Shades of Pink Foundation, she helps others find stability in their own lives.

Born in Maryland, Benitez spent her formative years in Germany, New York, Washington D.C., and St. Louis, where she was involved in science fairs and was the editor of her high school literary magazine.

“I thought I had wanted to be a doctor when I was four years old. That was always there. My other love was literature, reading and writing.”

She majored in science and English at Washington University in St. Louis and upon graduation, worked for the St. Louis Art Museum. “I combined my love for the arts with figuring out what I wanted to do with my future. I realized I did want to go into medicine.”

Benitez attended Albany Medical College in New York. “It was a wonderful education plus because it was small, I had a great group of friends and did lots of other things in my spare time like softball games and Frisbee.” Benitez was also the photographer for her medical school yearbook.

“I matched with the University of Michigan Hospital system to do my surgical residency. I had no big plan to come to Michigan; that’s just where I matched for my residency,” she said.

Her first jobs in Michigan included working at Wayne State University and in trauma at Detroit Receiving Hospital. “It taught me that I could stand on my own as a surgeon and that I had been trained very well, that I could take care of patients well. It was a wonderful experience, but I did decide

that it wasn’t going to be something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Benitez discovered that surgical oncology was her calling. “I found that was really what I liked to do,” she said. “I came to Beaumont and hung my shingle at Beaumont. I was the first woman general surgeon at Royal Oak Beaumont.” She created her practice in general surgery at Beaumont where she specializes in breast cancer and diseases of the breast.

In 2005, Benitez created Shades of Pink Foundation with Susan Kreuger to help a breast cancer patient who was having difficulties meeting financial demands. “We sat down one day at a restaurant in Ferndale and wrote down ideas on napkins about creating a foundation that could provide assistance to women that have breast cancer,” she said. “Shades of Pink is all volunteer. That’s the thing that distinguishes us.”

Shades of Pink presents an annual walk at the Detroit Zoo, which will be held this year on Saturday, April 27. Benitez participates to support family members and close friends who are breast cancer survivors. She has also walked in six Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60-mile walks. “I might do my seventh,” she said.

Benitez has lived in Bloomfield Hills with her husband since 1997 and hopes to continue working with Shades of Pink, possibly expanding it.

“I might have the opportunity to create different chapters in different cities. We’ve been asked to do that. It’s probably on my radar screen,” she said. “I hope to help people share the message of health and prevention because I think that’s so important.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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BUSINESS MATTERS ‘70s vibe salon Birmingham welcomes Honeycut Salon, which recently moved from downtown Detroit to 395 Hamilton Row in Birmingham. Owner and founder Andria Brown was in her previous location for about four years before she decided to move her business to Birmingham. Brown said, “I’m not new, I’ve had salons before.

My move to Birmingham was because it’s a beautiful city and it’s exciting and new here and I like the atmosphere and I thought we would be a perfect fit.” Before Honeycut moved in, the space located on Hamilton and Park was a salon. “The building had been empty for quite some time but it was a salon. I have not renovated anything yet. I’m going to go with that vibe but I’m going to update everything and keep that 1970’s vibe.”

Honeycut will offer many services, including hair coloring and specialize in extensions and wigs.

“We do everything here. I am a master weaver. I specialize in extensions, but I also make wigs and hairpieces.”

Spanish language classes Studio Español recently relocated to a new space at 988 S. Adams in Birmingham. With only native speaking instructors and a fun and relaxed environment, Studio Espanol offers classes for groups, individuals and businesses, according to owner Joaquin Frias. Private tutoring, after school programs, and small group classes are available during the week and on Saturdays. Corporate classes are also available for companies targeting the Spanish speaking market or doing business with Spanish speaking regions. “Our classes are unique and different from other programs because students feel that in addition to learning Spanish, they are enjoying a fun, social event each class,” Frias said.

25 years at the Grill Beverly Hills Grill celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday, March 16. Bill Roberts, owner and proprietor of Roberts Restaurant Group, acknowledges that the anniversary is no small feat. “It is a hallmark. It has stood the test of time, that’s for sure,” he said. “It’s very exciting, and we are doing a couple items kind of celebrating for the month of March.” To celebrate the restaurants success since downtownpublications.com

opening in 1988, five guests received $500 gift cards good toward Beverly Hills Grill and its sister restaurants, Roadside B&G, Streetside Seafood, Town Tavern and Café ML. Chef de Cuisine Dan Meier also offered threecourse meals for $25 during the week of Monday, March 11. “We’re excited about that, doing a good deal for our great customers. We have so many regulars throughout the area.

We wanted to give back and have a little celebration,” Roberts said. “It’s really all about our staff. We have a great crew. We have 17 staff that have been with us anywhere from five to 22 years that are at the Grill now. We’ve got a lot of longevity and that helps towards consistency of food and service and also recognition of our regulars. They know them by face and by name which is really what the hospitality business is about.”

Floral boutique closes Delux Floral and Bridal Bar closed at 568 N. Old Woodward on Friday, March 1, and opened a new location the same day at 4915 Leafdale in Royal Oak. “Our lease was up. We also had a warehouse in Ferndale and were using the Birmingham store more as a showroom. I wanted to merge the two together so I didn’t have to go back and forth,” owner Christopher Patros said. “I felt like (Royal Oak) was a nice happy ground between the warehouse and office in Birmingham.”

Dog facility closing Canine Inn at 2295 E. Lincoln Street in Birmingham’s Rail District is closing on Friday, April 12. The dog daycare business announced the closing with a message on its website, “It is with deep regret that we must inform you that the Canine Inn will be closing as of Friday, April 12, 2013. We were unable to update our current lease, which expired in 2011.

“It was a business decision on my landlord’s part and I understand that,” owner Carla Grava said. “We lost our lease and couldn’t renew it and just couldn’t find another place that is suitable for our kennels in the local area.” Grava, who once owned Kaput Kapot in Birmingham, is retiring. “I’m going to miss the dogs totally. The humans not so much, but definitely the dogs,” she said jokingly. “We did meet a lot of nice clientele and my crew and I enjoyed

taking care of them for the past five years.”

Urgent care opens Emcura Immediate Care opened in Suite 101 at 4050 W. Maple in Bloomfield Township. Co-owners Manish Kesliker and Supak Sookkasikon moved back to Michigan from Washington to open the immediate care facility. “We were in the Seattle area, north of Seattle,” Kesliker said. “We wanted to offer a more holistic style of medicine and we would start that with an immediate care. Our goal was to do that in this area, which is why we chose this location.” Their 3,000 square foot space is contemporary and features furniture made in Michigan. “We’re a very unique space,” he said. “We’re calling it immediate care because we reevaluated the delivery of medicine and wanted to streamline the process involved so we can get people inside and out quicker; inside and back to living their life and getting better. That’s another reason we wanted to move back to Michigan, to bring a completely new experience back to this area.”

Michigan Mutual First Preferred Mortgage Company, with a branch in Birmingham, has rebranded and will now be called Michigan Mutual, Inc. The local residential mortgage lender is located in Birmingham’s Rail District at 2151 Cole Street. “Birmingham is a thriving community that embodies everything we love about Michigan —innovation, hard work and creativity. We deeply value the relationships we have built with the residents and business members, and are proud to serve such a thriving community,” president and CEO Mark Walker said. “Changing our name to Michigan Mutual allows us to unite our growing company under one brand as we continue to expand nationally, and to recognize communities like Birmingham that make this state so incredible.”

New marketing company Shift Digital, a digital marketing company, will move its headquarters from 180 High Oak Road in Bloomfield Hills to the former SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty location at 370 E. Maple Road in Birmingham in late May or early June. “The main reason for moving

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to Birmingham was to find a larger office that could accommodate our growing team. Currently, we have three or four people working in offices that were originally designed for one, maybe two people,” director of operations Ashley Cox said. “We have drastically outgrown our current space. In five years, we have grown from just a few employees to over 100.” Shift Digital has offices in California and Canada as well as two in Michigan, Detroit and Bloomfield Hills. “We wanted to bring our Michigan team together in one central location and make the Birmingham office our company headquarters,” she said. The space was completely renovated by opening up the interior and adding a second level and mezzanine overlooking Maple and Woodward.

The space will include a game room, full kitchen and conference rooms.

“We have an amazing team, coming from all over the metro Detroit area and up until this point, we have not had an official place to call home.

This space will truly be a fantastic addition to Birmingham and we could not be more excited to become a part of such a wonderful community and participate in all that Birmingham has to offer,” Cox said.

Clothier re-opens Executive Custom Shirtmakers, which was first established in 1969, re-opened in downtown Birmingham at 261 East Maple, Suite 7 in the beginning of February. “In 2001, Executive Custom Shirtmakers was renamed The Custom Shop Clothiers and the iconic custom shirt store name was discontinued. I was the general manager of the Custom Shop until March 2010,” owner Stuart Silbert said. “I opened a showroom in Birmingham on the second floor.

It’s not a typical retail store.”

Executive Custom Shirtmakers focuses primarily on the art of fine shirt making. “I represent the finest bespoke and made-to-measure shirt factories in the United States. I also carry a very select presentation of silk neckwear and contemporary cufflinks.” In the next six months, Silbert plans to introduce a made-tomeasure clothing collection.

Send Business Matters items for consideration to News@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

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Contact Jill Cesarz.

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Birmingham 248.723.1700 116

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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.

220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.2150.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.865.9300.

Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.499.6867.

Beau Jacks: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday; Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.494.7110.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.

Big Boy: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.642.0717.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor.

245 South Eaton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880.

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800 Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

Chen Chow Brasserie: Japanese. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.2469.

China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer.

877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton

downtownpublications.com

Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766.

Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200.

Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: Deli.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923.

Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.1135.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Also 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

Forest Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400.

The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is home to discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments.

Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication – Downtown.

The leading news and advertising source in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

More readers. Strong loyalty.

Perfect ad environment.

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O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 600 C: 248.860.8414 JillCesarz@downtownpublications.com

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P U B L I C A T I O N S 124 WEST MAPLE ROAD BIRMINGHAM 48009

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“neighborhood favorite” - Zagat 2012

Award of Excellence - Wine Spectator 2012

273 Pierce Downtown Birmingham 248.645.9123 www.streetsideseafood.com 117

FOCUS ON WINE Sherry for a modern consumer

By Eleanor and Ray Heald

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t the mention of Sherry, many Americans think sweet; yet the most popular and best selling wine of sherry producer Gonzalez Byass is Tio Pepe Fino, a very dry, delicate yet pungent wine designed to accompany a wide range of foods.

Sherry’s archaic image has been thrown aside by a new generation of aficionados who have embraced fino style as an accompaniment to shellfish and a complex amontillado as a substitute for a flavorful red wine.

Located in southwest Spain’s Sherry Triangle, known for its laid-back lifestyle and magnificent Andalucian horses, sherry producers provide an extraordinary range of wines from bone dry to lusciously sweet.

Viticulture and winemaking was introduced to Spain by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. Columbus brought sherry on his voyage to the New World. It was the British who eventually popularized sherry as evidenced by English names as part of sherry producers. For instance, Robert Blake Byass, an English importer, became a shareholder in Gonzalez Byass.

Flor style Gonzalez Byass master blender Antonio Flores cited the five pillars of sherry production: (1) chalky soils, (2) grape varieties, especially Palomino (95 percent), but also Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel, (3) oxidative aging, (4) biological aging and (5) the solera aging system.

In December, following fermentation when the wine is dry, the winemaker decides which path the young wine will follow - biological aging with flor or oxidative aging without flor. “In order to decide which path the wine will take,” explained Flores, “I look for young, fresh wines with citrus and floral notes to become finos that are stored in an environment encouraging flor yeast growth.

“After anaerobic fermentation is complete, the flor requires oxygen to survive, so it floats to the wine’s surface in the barrel to get oxygen, forming a yeast blanket that protects the wine and prevents oxidation. The wine is pale gold with green reflections described as bottled Andalucian sunshine.”

Flor converts some alcohol to acetaldehyde, the pungent aroma characteristic of fino sherry. Citrus and floral aromas of the young wine have been transformed into those of baked bread, brioche and almonds. The flor, having consumed glycerin, makes the wine dry and intense with a salty finish and refreshing bitter hints. The wine is stored in a 20,000 barrel solera (a four layer stack of barrels) from which about one-fourth the volume is removed each year. Most of that wine is bottled as Tio Pepe and the rest enters additional soleras for further aging.

Fox Grill: American. Lunch, Monday through Friday; Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

248.792.6109.

Fuddrucker’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Beer & wine.

42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222.

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Tio Pepe Extra Dry Fino, $18, is bone dry with aromas of nuts and baked bread. It is crisp, brisk and refreshing with a long finish; a perfect aperitif to serve well chilled with salty tapas, oysters, thinly sliced Iberian ham, nuts, caviar, Parmesan and olives. As a first course, it pairs splendidly with scallops sautéed in herb butter or zarzuela (Spanish fish stew).

Wines destined to become Del Duque Amontillado Muy Viejo, $47/375mL complete 30 years of oxidative aging and attain 21.5 percent alcohol. Further oxidation yields more depthful reddish-amber color, is dry on the palate with hints of cedar, leather and walnuts. It is intense, structured, elegant and smooth. Match it with roast beef, casseroles, roast quail and mature cheeses.

Oloroso style After fermentation, wines showing the best structure and aromas enter a solera for eight years to become Alfonso Dry Oloroso, $22, fortified to 18 percent alcohol and allowed to oxidize. Wines in this solera are labeled oloroso because they have undergone both biological and oxidative aging. The wine develops a mahogany color, vanilla notes from the oak, spice aromas and nutty flavors. Even though the wine is dry, the concentration of glycerin gives a broad palate impression. Try it with light cheeses, nuts and paté.

Solera 1847 Sweet Oloroso Cream, $22, is a blend of Palomino and Pedro Ximenez aged eight years to yield a residual sugar of 13 percent, a reddish–brown color, notes of dried fruits and concentrated sweetness; a complement to soft cheeses, figs and Spanish flan. Matusalem Oloroso Dulce Muy Viejo, $47/375mL, is the Solera 1847 after 22 years of additional barrel aging. It has similar sweetness, dark mahogany color with dried fruits, cinnamon, spice and old oak. Try with mature cheeses, cakes and rich desserts.

Nectar Pedro Ximenez, $26, is very sweet without being cloying at 37 percent residual sweetness and surprisingly low in alcohol at 15.5 percent. Its color is best described as ebony with caramel, molasses, dried fruits, figs, nuts and spice on the palate. Chilled Nectar is frequently paired with chocolate, poured over ice cream or dense cakes.

Other producers Consider sherries from Emilio Lustau all rated 90+ by Robert Parker. We are particularly fond of Emilio Lustau Peninsula, Palo Cortado $29 (rated 96), a full bodied wine between Amontillado and Oloroso styles. Emilio Lustau Jarana $20 is a bone dry, light fino. A great aperitif when well chilled.

Eleanor & Ray Heald have contributed to numerous international publications, including the Quarterly Review of Wines. Contact them by e-mail at focusonwine@aol.com.

Hogan’s Restaurant: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.1800.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111.

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.1166.

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La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302, 248.858.5800.

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707.

Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing.

No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.3663.

Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.2913.

New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181.

Northern Lakes Seafood Co.: Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7900.

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.253.9877.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.3122.

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941.

Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876 Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch &

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Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Sanders: American. Lunch, daily. No reservations. 167 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.3215.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300.

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301.

248.932.0800.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123.

Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887.

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner.

Monday-Saturday.

Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

The Corner Bar: American. Dinner.

Wednesday-Saturday.

Reservations.

Liquor.

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor.

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7964.

What Crepe?: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 172 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.5634.

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566

AT THE TABLE Bella Piatti – name the same, but restaurant is reinvented

By Eleanor Heald

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n appearance in a new guise, while retaining the same name, is not a usual choice in the restaurant

puff pastry accented by baby arugula and shaved fennel.

Two salads (Insalate $8-$12) are standouts. Insalata di Arance is oranges, red onions, arugula, goat cheese with extra-virgin olive oil and a beet reduction. Indiva e Gorgonzola includes Belgian endive, radicchio, grilled pears, gorgonzola dolce with a champagne vinaigrette..

Zuppa di Giorno ($8) changes regularly as the category implies. Chef Apollonia’s early offerings included potato-leek, tomato-basil and split pea.

For now, all pastas are dried, except for made-in-house gnocchi. The following are on the list of not to be missed: Gnocchi Faragliona, $14, baked potato dumplings with Bolognese meat sauce. Risotto d’Asparagi, $18, is a softer, creamier version of risotto.

biz.

Yet, this is exactly the new course for the lauded Bella Piatti in Birmingham, which closed at the end of 2012 and reopened with the same name under new management of Nino and Liz Cutraro on February 13 this year.

This is management, not ownership, which is still held

by Bob VanHellemont. As part of a divorce settlement from his ex-spouse Mindy Lopus, VanHellemont acquired Bella Piatti and hired the Cutraros to redo the restaurant Piatti and manage it.

Bistecca Fiorentina, $75, a 32-oz grilled Porterhouse, A complete floor-to-ceiling makeover and a new staff serves two according to the menu, but it will easily satisheaded by affable operations manager Kevin Mazziotta, fy four diners. To be classified “fiorentina,” the cut must whom many area restaurant goers will remember from his be 32-oz, Chef Apollonia explains. “Bella Piatti serves days at Tribute, give Bella a new spirit, not just beautiful DNA Black Angus certified top choice center cut, grass plates as the name implies. fed and hormone free.”

Large renaissance and baroque era paintings create Chef Apollonia takes taste buds to Rome with the clasthe look of classic murals in sic Scaloppine Saltimbocca, a modern setting. Bella veal medallions, $24.

Piatti reincarnated has betOr you can stay at ter table spacing and feels home with Potato-black less crowded, even when truffle crusted Lake Superior going full tilt. Newly whitefish with lentils and installed sound insulation fennel broth, $22. From day allows ease of conversation one, the best seller in the at the tables. fish category has been During dinner service, Branzino Arrosto, $30, a caramel-colored tablecloths whole roasted pick up the twinkle of silverMediterranean sea bass gold-toned votive candles with lemon, rosemary, ripini under the cover of a warm and fingerling potatoes. glow from crystal chandeliers. Yet, I find one big disDolci traction – a gazebo-like There’s Tiramisu in arrangement for a table of Dolce de Ricotta. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent the mix of sweets at $7.50, eight mid-dining area that is along with Ricotta surrounded by a metal mesh curtain. Diners there seem to Cheesecake, but go for Affogato, vanilla bean gelato be caged in and the “structure” detracts from an other- smothered in hot espresso. wise broad view of a well-appointed restaurant.

Vino Buon appetito Kevin Mazziotta also oversees the wine selections. He A conventional menu design in a clear readable font is cites the list as a work in progress. Most white wines, $9another sign that tradition holds sway at the retooled $12 by the glass, have varied origins while Italian wines Bella. Venetian born and now Birmingham resident are principally well-known producers. A host of American Executive Chef Francesco Apollonia says his approach is cabernets and blends, pinot noir and zinfandels complete “great ingredients and Old World flavors.” This sets well the list with Sous Chef Matt Cassell, who joined Chef Apollonia’s kitchen after a stint at Fleming’s.

Bella Piatti, 167 Townsend, Birmingham, 248.494.7110.

At age 15, Chef Apollonia began his restaurant career Tuesday to Thursday 5 – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday as a dish washer in a Venice restaurant. He worked his until 11 p.m. Parking: street and city parking structure on way up the ladder to chef and at age 35, emigrated to the Pierce St. U.S. where he worked at Paesano’s in Ann Arbor and Sangria in Royal Oak. QUICK BITES Chef Apollonia discussed his menu with me, pointing In the latter half of April, according to proprietor Bill out his favorite preparations. Among Antipasti (ranging Roberts, Café ML, the latest inclusion in the Roberts $8-$18), he cited Carpaccio di Polipo “Dama Bianca,” Restaurant Group, is slated to open in the Bloomfield thinly sliced octopus with shaved fennel, celery, grape Commons shopping center at Maple and Lahser. tomatoes, capers, lemon and extra-virgin olive oil. Cape Sante Al Forno is day boat scallops with brandy, parme- Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writes the wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for san cheese, baby arugula and shaved fennel. Salatino Downtown. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be e-mailed Ferrarese is Italian sausage with bechamel and truffles in to Quickbites@downtownpublications.com.

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NOW IS THE BEST TIME IN YEARS TO SELL YOUR HOME. WHY NOT CALL ONE OF OUR AGENTS TODAY AT 248-646-6200 TO DISCUSS YOUR HOME’S VALUE? WE BET YOU’LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED Debbie Amato John Apap Bridget Apap Jackie Aubuchon Debby Beneker Debbie Berg Nickole Black Sharon Brockman Liz Cote-Butler Gerry Burke Jan Burke Ann Burns John Callan Sarah Cameron Emily Castleman Randy Cline Christine Cress Susan Darrow

Jeff Egdell Ron Fleming Cathy Foreman Marti Forrer Margaret Gnau John Hannett Gayle Hannett Kathleen Hayward Trixie Heitsch Klaus Hollbacher Heather Hyde Cathy Hypes John James Christine James Barbara Jermstad Susan Keim Mark Kent Artil Leo

Gwen Leveque Steve Levett Terry Levett Steve Macke David Marquardt Cindy McMillian Suzana Myftari Debbie Nelson Dave Nelson Ryan Nelson Karen Paglino Jose Philip Julie Pulte Harvey Reynolds Tamara Rock-Smith Marilyn Rottner Bill Schulze Ralph Rene Schreier

Beth Shobe Jane Solomon Linda Solomon Jeanne Tabashnik James Thompson Jeanne Tilford Donna Valle Terry Webster-King Wendy Weir Doug Whitehouse Kathie Whitehouse Shally Williams Kathy Wilson Chris Winans Dan Winans Joan Wysocki Natalya Yu

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE TCH Gala Has Quadruple Energy Effect Annual Gala A Success: Thanks to the excitement our Grand Honoree Linda Orlans, CEO of eTitle honored for her community philanthropy, brought into the House; doubled by the dynamics created by recognizing nine community members for their give back to education, wellness and culture; tripled by the astonishment of our new, elegant décor, plus the inspirational “can do” keynote speech by Mike Duggan, our 2013 TCH Annual Gala had a quadruple energy effect. It was an emotional and financial success that figuratively “raised our roof.” Thanks to the generosity of our guests and sponsors, we exceeded our fund raising goal for the event by 60 percent - making it the most successful TCH fund raising event in years. It was all about what we can do to help those, including TCH, do their good work for the community. We are very grateful.

What I Learned from Linda Orlans’ and Mike Duggan’s Talks: It was all about community – our middle name. They talked about solidifying a seamless connection between suburbs and helping those less fortunate; that we all have to work harder to collaborate for the good of the community; and that strong leadership has to instill in others a belief that what we are doing must be done, can be done, and is critical to creating and sustaining a vibrant community. This truly resonated with me and the audience.

Camille Jayne

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Why People Are More Appreciative of TCH: Over the past 15 months, TCH has worked hard to make our traditional offerings of classes, travel, dance, daycare, youth theatre and youth summer camps, and excellent banquet and catering even better; and provide a more comfortable home for 14 non-profits and sponsored groups. These are our foundation that comprises 80 percent of what we do for the community. Additionally, we have expanded our teaching programs for professional business development, which has been very successful, bringing not only new people into the House, but new money – which we desperately need.

275 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009 birmingham@johnadamsmortgage.com Company NMLS ID 140012

We have fine-tuned our time treasured community events such as OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale, Student Our Town, House Tour and Winter Holiday Gift Show.

We have added new events such as the Annual Gala; Easter Sunday Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt; Vintage Jewelry and Tea; 90 and Beyond luncheon in June that celebrates everyone in the area who is 90 years old or older; and the upcoming September Farm to Table Block Party showcasing Michigan produce, foods and beverages through executive chef, brewery and wine tastings; a children’s program at Baldwin Library; as well as local farm animals (hey, they deserve their day in the sun!). These events bring thousands of people into our walkable community, showcase all that makes our community unique, and yes, helps raise money so TCH can provide outreach programs to underserved children and seniors. And quite honestly, they also help keep this treasured community resource in the “black.”

We are grateful that people are better understanding that TCH is a critical part of this community, open to all, and reaching out to many. Please keep caring and giving.

April Happenings at TCH Bulletproof Your Success™ Professional Development Lecture - Wed. April 10th: “Processes to Help You Get What You Want.” Get the tools, processes and steps to get what you want in the business world. Learn how to “stake and stand your ground,” whether trying to get an approval, make a sale, give difficult feedback, raise money, or just stand up for yourself. $35/ lecture; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register at www.tchbulletproof.org.

Build A Bridge

Exceptional Tutoring Kliger Consulting Group offers personalized programs for your child

Spring Fitness, Art & Cooking Classes: April brings a number of multi-session classes, with options for all ages and ability levels. If you are looking to impress with a Spring treat, Chef Pam Gustairs returns to TCH with her popular baking series, offering light fare options. Just $32. Register at www.tchserves.org, or call 248.644.5832.

Come visit us often, and thank you for letting us serve you.

Camille Jayne is President & CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

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On and off site programs

For More Information: Kliger Consulting Group 2006 Hazel Street Birmingham, MI In the Rail District 248 914 7011 pkliger@gmail.com 121

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

BEF Unabashed Bash

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BEF Unabashed Bash The theme of the 12th annual Birmingham Educational Foundation’s fundraiser – A Year of Good Fortune – inspired Oriental centerpieces, cuisine and fortune cookies but we spotted only one guest, Alan Ross, who dressed in traditional Chinese attire. The sold out crowd of 300-plus guests socialized big time before taking their seats in The Townsend ballroom. A video featuring Seaholm grad Julie Townsend driving robots on Mars underscored the enrichment mission of the foundation before new BEF president Chris Braun saluted executive director Laura Couger and her BASH team leaders (Wendy Christie, Monica Mercer and Cathy Turnbull). New BPS superintendent Daniel Nerad proposed a toast to BEF before the Wisconsin transplant gloated, albeit gently, over Wisconsin’s OT Bball defeat of Michigan earlier in the day. Entertainment

by Groves’ musicians directed by Paul Shawver and Seaholm theater students directed by Laurie Frick preceded the brief live auction conducted by Jim Moll.

Together the live and silent auctions and the raffle raised nearly $50,000 of the event’s gross ($130,000plus). This will allow the foundation to make academic, arts, athletic and technology grants for all students and help fund the new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative.

1. BEF trustee Pat (left) and Ann Liebler of Birmingham with executive director Laura Couger of Franklin. 2. Tom and BEF president Chris Braun of Birmingham and event coordinator Wendy Christie of Beverly Hills. 3. BPTSA president Kathy Banas (left) of Beverly Hills with BPS superintendent Dan Nerad of Birmingham and his wife Jean. 4. BPS trustee Lori Soifer and her husband Doug with Gordon and BEF / BPS trustee Geri Rinschler of Birmingham. 5. Rosemary Ricelli and her husband BPS board VP Steve Scheidt of Birmingham. 6. Tom and Molly Saeli of Birmingham. 7. Seaholm principal Dee Lancaster (left) of Rochester and Kathy Remski of Birmingham. 8. Laura (left) and Shawn Lilley with Amy Hochkanner of Birmingham. 9. Rosemary Hall (center) of Birmingham with Rebecca and Alan Ross of Bloomfield. 10. Michael and Rika Khouri of Birmingham.

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Christ Church Evening for Outreach Cowboy boots and denim were de rigueur at Christ Church Cranbrook Outreach Committee’s Bluegrass on the Bayou party. The foot stomping, casual evening chaired by Leslie McNamara and Kimberly Peterson attracted 207 guests. The music and food were both splendid, but revelry was secondary to the party’s purpose – to raise funds for renovation at Detroit’s Glazer Elementary School. In 2011, the low performing school in the Focus: HOPE neighborhood was made a charter school where CCC members tutor and mentor the kids.

Last year, the Outreach Committee raised more than $30,000 for the construction of a science lab there. This year, the goal was $25,000 to renovate the playground. A live auction of seven unique opportunities brought in $22,000; dedicated giving another $3,000, and a new project – Christ Church Cranbrook Entertains – has already raised $6,000 and could double that when all the slots at the special events donated by parishioners are sold. Combined with ticket sales ($50 & $100) and some generous donations, the Evening for Outreach will enable the OC to give Glazer $45,000 for playground and equipment renovation. “We are thrilled,” noted Peterson.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Christ Church Evening for Outreach

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Solanus Casey Center’s Event Fr. Larry Weber, director of the Capuchin’s Solanus Casey Center, has a challenge. During the live auction at the center’s benefit, his donation of a dinner for eight prepared and served by the friars after hours at the center was so popular that it sold twice for $4,000. Now Fr. Larry is trying to figure out a menu deserving of the generous bids. In all, auctioneer Fox-2’s Charlie Langton got $31,900 for the 15 items considered by the 475 center supporters who flocked to Troy’s MET Hotel. Before the sit down dinner and live auction, they had bid nearly $14,000 for silent auction items while sipping, nibbling and socializing as violinist Stacy Mason performed. Thanks also to event co-chairs Laurie Maass and Carey Cornacchini, plus sponsors like the Celani Family Vineyards, The Fine Wine Source, Don-Lors Electronics and the Anthony Lufty Family, the ninth annual fundraiser topped $100,000. It will help install an interactive learning environment at the Capuchins’ center devoted to the Venerable Solanus Casey. Visit it at www.solanuscenter.org.

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1. Focus: HOPE CEO William Jones and his wife Marion of Birmingham.

2. Stephanie Caponigro (left) and Lauren Balames of Bloomfield with Tom Booth and event co-chair Kimberly Peterson of Birmingham.

3. Clare Kabel (left) of Bloomfield and Sue Johnston of Birmingham.

4. Event co-chair Leslie McNamara (right) of Birmingham with Kathy Doyle (left) of Rochester and Cathy Denious of Bloomfield and Leigh Marciniak of Bingham Farms. 5. Chip (left) and Mary Kroneman, Chuck Letts and Mary Jolliffe of Bloomfield. 6. Jamie Cameron of Ann Arbor with Gene and Donna Hartwig of Bloomfield. 7. Christopher (left) and Diane de Movellan of Beverly Hills with Mike Scadron of Bloomfield.

8. Brooke Franklin (left) of Canton, CCC’s Rev. Beth Taylor of Bloomfield and Mayowa Lisa Reynold of Detroit. 9. Jim (left) and Kris Goran of Orchard Lake and Lois Booth of Birmingham. 10. Rob MacGregor (left) of Birmingham and Glen Eberley of Bloomfield.

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Solanus Casey Center’s Event

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1. Jerry (left) and Deanna Gross (right) of Rochester Hills with Toni Bufalino of Birmingham and Rob Cornacchini of Bloomfield. 2. Jinam (left) and Kelly Dalloo of Bloomfield, Joni Lipson and Bill Seikaly of W. Bloomfield. 3. Julie and Rick Ganfield of Bloomfield.

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Winning Futures Corks & Forks The Winning Futures mentoring and scholarship program staged its Corks & Forks fundraiser at The Reserve and some 250 supporters attended. They sampled over 50 different wines, dined, danced and raised approximately $20,000. Nearly 100 guests came early for the VIP reception. It featured award presentations that celebrated the life and vision of WF founder Sam Cupp, who passed away unexpectedly last June. Buffalo Wild Wings and Bagger Dave’s restaurants owner Michael Ansley was honored with the Business Man of the Year Award. Attorney, entrepreneur, public speaker and community leader Linda Orlans received the Business Woman of the Year Award. SRG Global, a Guardian Industries company, received Company of the Year Award. They are a partner in Winning Futures’ annual Intern Connection program. It educates students about careers in technology and engineering and provides an internship at their corporate headquarters.

PATH’s A Window to Spring Before seeing the show of new 04.13

spring fashions, 150 guests at Lighthouse PATH’s fashionable fundraiser hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue socialized, sipped, bought raffle tickets and devoured the superb offerings Tre Monti Ristorante catered. After the splendid show and before they shopped with their $25 gift cards, guests gave a standing ovation to Chris Hinkinis, a former PATH client. She told them how she had arrived at PATH with her six children and only the clothes on their backs. “(PATH) is still family to me,” said the strong woman who went on to get her BA, a job, is working on her MA and aiming for a PhD. The event grossed about $25,000 for PATH. Vicki Vlasic, Kathy Broock Ballard and Sheryl Briggs are chairing the next fundraiser on the Lighthouse calendar - Clutch for a Cause, Thursday, April 18 at Orchard Lake Country Club. The luncheon will feature a silent auction of gently used donated handbags, clutches and totes as well as a raffle for a new, exquisite ruby red Swarovski crystal Judith Leiber clutch bag. For tickets ($75-friend, $25-patron), call (248) 972.1493.

Sing Out 4 Kids A sold out crowd of 172 turned out for the fun karaoke night benefiting FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts and The Ted Lindsay Foundation for Autism. It was in the second floor Skybox Lounge at the Royal Oak Emagine Theater. While waiting for the show that Karen Newman and Mickey Redmond emceed, they sipped, supped, socialized and bid on items in a silent auction display. After a video welcome

by Ted Lindsay, Newman kicked off the entertainment with a rousing Bob Seger number followed by 96.3 WDVD’s Blaine Fowler and other good sports like Fox Sports’ Trevor Thompson and WJR’s Frank Beckman. The latter also did duty as the auctioneer for three popular items: a Bob Seger guitar ($2,000), an American Idol finale package ($4,500), and a sports fan’s treasure a bench signed by NFL players ($2,800). Together with the silent auction and tickets sales, the event raised $40,000 for the two organizations to share. The Ted Lindsay downtownpublications.com

PATH’s A Window to Spring

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1. Event co-chairs Adrienne Zarghami (left) and Noelle Cassel of Birmingham and Tracy Nystrom of Bloomfield. 2. SFA’s Cheryl Hall Lindsay (left) of W. Bloomfield and Teri Fenner of Bloomfield. 3. Lighthouse’s Priscilla Perkins (left) of Troy, event sponsor Nicolle Eisenberg of Bloomfield and Jackie Layne of W. Bloomfield. 4. Carolyn Demps (left), Randi Long and Cheryl McIlkon of Bloomfield. 5. Lisa Lepkowski (left) and Sondra Micallef of Bloomfield and Patty Huff of Troy. 6. Laura Dazan (left), Michelle Low, Ingrid Tighe and Meredith Carrel of Birmingham. 7. Rene Zawaideh (left) of Birmingham with Yvette Nafso and Sania Najjar of Bloomfield. 8. Mara Geiger (left) and Kathryn Narayan of Birmingham. 9. Patty Ghesquiere (left) and Christine Giampetroni of Bloomfield and Sheryl Briggs of Orchard Lake.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Foundation’s annual Wine Tasting with celebrity pourers is Monday, April 15, at Tre Monti Risorante. Call Lindsay’s daughter Lynn LaPaugh at (248) 310-2853 for tickets ($125).

Sing Out 4 Kids

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Angels Place’s Bubbles & Beauty Nearly 200 supporters of Angels’ Place sipped champagne and sampled various beauty services in the Neiman Marcus beauty aisles at the Bubbles & Beauty evening. Kathy Remski and her committee decided not to charge an admission fee because NM donated a percentage of the sales to AP, which provides 20 loving homes for people with developmental disabilities. Spotted getting pampered at the nails, paraffin hand wax and eye make-up stations were Sally Mezey, Diane Widlak, Stephanie Ellwood, Janet Rivard, Patricia Binkley, and gal pals from Kelly Services and Austin Financial.

Remski was pleased that the event attracted new friends to AP, some of whom subsequently inquired about becoming volunteers.

2 1. Event chair Karla Sherry (left) of Bloomfield with performers Blaine Fowler of Plymouth and Mickey Redmond of Bloomfield. 2. Singer Karen Newman (left) of W. Bloomfield with FAR’s Jody Wachler of Troy and Pamela Ayres of Bloomfield. 3. Event chair Karla Sherry (standing) of Bloomfield with performer WJR’s Frank Beckmann and his wife Karen and daughter Tori of Rochester Hills. 4. Bill McGraw of Dearborn and Denise Abrash of Bloomfield.

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Leadership Banquet - Spirit and Art

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1. Board chair Phyllis Look (center) of Royal Oak with honoree Fr. Bernie Owens (left) of Bloomfield and Dave Nona of W. Bloomfield. 2. Peter Kreher (left) of Birmingham, Jackie Hamill of Bloomfield and Jack and Jody Jennings of Beverly Hills. 3. Diane Moritz (left) of Birmingham and Denise Armbruster of Milford. 4. Honorary co-chairs Lori (left) and Ken Hiltz, formerly of Bloomfield, now of Chicago, with Mara Hart of Beverly Hills and Adam and Sue Cheslin of W. Bloomfield. 5. Fr. Timothy Babcock (left) of Livonia with Carolyn and Jerry Andree of Bloomfield. 6. Steve (left) and Judy Crane of Brighton and Frank and Gail Migliazzo of Bloomfield.

Leadership Banquet - Spirit and Art When Manresa Jesuit Retreat House board chair Phyllis Look welcomed the 225 guests to the endowment fund benefit dinner in Kresge Court at the Detroit Institute of Arts, she used the museum’s well known experience as an example of the importance of endowments. She also saluted the two event honorees – Fr. Bernie Owens (“He is Manresa to most of us”) and Dave Nona (“He has the uncanny ability to convince all he

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Afternoon of Beauty and Relaxation Bettina Gregg and Serena Orsini chaired the Women’s Division for Project HOPE’s “Afternoon of Beauty and Relaxation” at Neiman Marcus.

WD members and their friends enjoyed an afternoon sipping champagne, nibbling light bites and sweets and getting beauty tips through demonstrations of the latest in cosmetic products and fragrances. The WD is celebrating its 50th year supporting Project HOPE and its mission to deliver sustainable health programs around the world and will honor its past presidents at a special luncheon at the Townsend on April 24.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Eton Academy’s Gala and Auction

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3 1. Event co-chairs Suzanne Mahoney (left) and Michelle Fredericks of Bloomfield. 2. Steering committee member Deb Lewis (left) of Troy and Eton senior Julian VanHellemont of Birmingham. 3. Steering committee members Tayna Marks (left) of Bloomfield and Tonya Chisholm of Rochester Hills. 4. Sue (left) and Mike Conway with Rob Welsh of Bloomfield. 5. Eton board president Jeff Zanetti (left) of Northville, Leora and her father Dennis Bernard of Birmingham, Lori Blaker and Steve Prain of Metamora. 6. Nancy and Larry Bluth of Bloomfield. 7. Gino and Carole Abanello of Northville and Heather and Jean Chideac of Bloomfield. 8. Ann Callahan (center) of Birmingham with Ken and Tonie Owens of Northville.

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meets that they need a retreat”).

During the after dinner program Owens said that he has been blessed to meet amazing people during his 19 years at the Bloomfield Hills enclave.

“When we meet with the Lord, we meet forever,” he added. Those people then gave a standing ovation to the Lifetime Achievement Award winner who will leave in August for a Jesuit retreat center in Nairobi, Kenya. When Nona accepted the Leadership Award from Isaac Hanna he said, “Manresa is a unique place for…rejuvenation of the body and spirit.” Both honorees received standing ovations before Fr. Peter Fennessey’s talk about praying with art in which he used works from the DIA collection. A docent led tour of the works and an afterglow followed.

The artful evening netted $40,000 for the Manresa endowment. Gretchen Gonzales and Sharon Wetherington are chairing another inaugural event at Manresa on July 13 — The Master’s Garden: Gardening in Harmony with Nature. It’s an all day marketplace with speakers, tours and a raffle. For vendor information, call Gonzales at (248) 866-8512 or Wetheringtpn at (248) 763-2053.

Eton Academy’s Gala and Auction More than 350 Eton Academy boosters flocked to the 27-year-old Birmingham school for its annual gala and auction. Before they sat down to the fine dinner catered by Bacco Ristorante, they studied the silent auction. Among other goodies it featured mittens created from felted wool sweaters produced by art teacher Linus Parr’s students. Then, before auctioneer Dan Stall got people to bid $174,000 in the live auction (including $30,000 in dedicated giving) Eton senior Julian VanHellenmont charmed them. The litany of her passions and successes at the school, which builds academic skills and self confidence in students with learning challenges, was extraordinary. “Eton accepts you as you are,” she declared. “There are no words for the amount of love that flows through here. Eton changed my life,” said the college bound pre-med student who has been accepted by 04.13

Oakland U and MSU. Among those standing to applaud VanHellenmont was veterinarian Ann Callahan, an Eton mom who grew up here and has lived near Eton for 10 years. She told us that she had always erroneously thought the school was a place for troubled kids. Last February, when she learned that her third grader Kate needed the kind of education Eton offers, she not only enrolled her but two months later enrolled Kate’s twin sister Karen. “I’m thrilled with this school,” said she.

Yatooma’s Foundation’s Kick-Off Party A chic gathering in Saks Fifth Avenue’s designer salon kicked off Yatooma’s Foundation’s Champions for the Kids event. After some socializing, Sandy Pierce, co-chair with her husband Tom, welcomed the 120 guests and reminded them of the foundation’s mission to bring tenderness to the tragedy of losing a parent.

Then a runway fashion show got off to a great start with a dozen ensembles from the Escada spring collection. Forty-three more looks were followed by a drawing for the raffle prizes. The Champions for the Kids two-event schedule has been changed to put more time between each part. The VIP Dinner Auction is Sunday, June 2 at The Townsend Hotel. The golf tournament is slated for Monday, Sept. 16 at Orchard Lake Country Club. For an invitation, call (888) 987-KIDS. Balthazar Korab’s studio preservation Dan and Candice Sebold’s purchase of the late Balthazar Korab’s (d 1/15/2013) home and their plan for the legendary architectural photographer’s property inspired a gathering of 30 preservationists and art buffs. It was coordinated by retired realtor Marjory Schutz and hosted by the Sebolds. The informal tour of the historic barn that was Korab’s studio for many years was followed by the Sebolds’ gracious hospitality inside the house where they also saw the architectural plans for the contemporary home the Sebolds will build in its place. The new owners assured all that they will preserve as much of the historic barn as they can. As for razing the old house? Ironically, the downtownpublications.com

Yatooma’s Foundation’s Kick-Off Party

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1. Event co-chair John Balardo (left) of Bloomfield with Ann Duke of Royal Oak and Bridgett Wanczyk of Rochester Hills. 2. Foundation founder Norman Yatooma of Bloomfield and event co-chair Sandy Pierce of Northville. 3. Nicole Yatooma and Teri Fenner of Bloomfield. 4. John and Beth Kalusniak of Bloomfield. 5. Jason and Kristin Fettig of Bloomfield. 6. Nicole Yatooma (left), Gigi Simon and Marion McAlister of Bloomfield. 7.

Carl (left) and Brittany Nuccitelli of Farmington Hils and Lucia and Joe Saad of Birmingham. 8. Model Lai Ying and SFA intern Katie Balardo of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Korabs also had plans to replace it with a newly constructed contemporary.

Brookside School Kaleidoscope

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Brookside School Kaleidoscope For many years the event theme selected by Kaleidoscope planners has been used by the Cranbrook Brookside teachers as a springboard for class projects. This year the theme - Imagine That! Invent.

Create. Innovate. – produced, among other things, a large, framed mosaic picture of a campus scene. It was made out of LEGOs and, with some help from the folks at the Robot Garage, every one of the 500-plus students in the Cranbrook Lower School had a hand in making it.

Here’s betting they were all proud when they learned that it accounted for $9,000 of the live auction total of $65,000. But before the 450 school boosters settled in the gym for music by violinist Jordan Allen Broder and his creative Nuclassica musicians preceding the live auction, they had already bid $77,000 in the silent auction using electronics for the first time. There were a few glitches, but, following the event theme, most parents were innovative about those.

The committee surely picked the right caterer for the event theme.

Zack Sklar’s Cutting Edge Cuisine’s very creative fare and presentations included: spiced eggplant and red pepper paint served on a paint brush as a welcome hors d’oeuvre; sliders and chips served in paper bags hanging from a pole passed by servers; sushi and salad walls; marinated shitake mushrooms presented on a stroke of carrot-ginger paint and, for live auction nibbling, such innovations as caramel corn with smoke paprika in mini sacks and mini egg halves that were really meringues with lemon curd. The evening raised more than $200,000.

This will be added to the Patron Party total of $129,000 when calculating the Kaleidoscope 2013 proceeds.

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1. Tillie Browett (left) and Gina Schmakel of Bloomfield. 2. Kathleen Ball of W. Bloomfield with event presenting sponsor Doug Hardy of Bloomfield. 3. Event cochairs Stacy Quinn (left) of W. Bloomfield, Jacki Rosseler and Denise Parker of Bloomfield. 4. CEC Dom DeMarco (left) and Eva Meade with sponsors Lipsa Sheth of Bloomfield and Deborah Wahl of Birmingham. 5. Sponsors Mike (left) and Christine Schumaker of Orchard Lake with new Brookside head Keith and Dawn McConnell of Troy. 6. Sponsors Amelia (left) and Benjamin Kennedy of Birmingham and Zina and Alex Lumelsky of Bloomfield and Jennifer and David Rosenberg of Franklin. 7. Tifany and Greg Walker of Bloomfield. 8. Patience and Martin Wright of Bloomfield. 9. Sponsors Don Quinn (left) of W. Bloomfield and Jim Parker of Bloomfield.

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JVS Trade Secrets Nearly 350 people, the most in the five-year history of the event, attended JVS’s Trade Secrets fundraiser at the Townsend. During the social hour they sipped, networked and perused the very extensive raffle display of 04.13

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK nearly 50 items topped by Tapper’s donation of a $2,250 David Yurman Amethyst Ring. When they were seated for dinner, producer Ann Thomas, a well known name to WJR listeners, emceed the program and presented the Women to Work Award to Jeannie Steuer. A graduate of the JVS program which supports women who need to reenter the work force, Steuer now works at JVS. Her parents and siblings were among those giving her a standing ovation.

Following her introduction by United Road CEO Kathleen McCann, keynote speaker Crain’s Detroit Business publisher Mary Kramer told the crowd her trade secrets.

They included her 93-year old mother (of six children) who was in the audience and the nuns who taught her in Grand Rapids where she grew up. She also included relationships and connections that build trust over time (“joiners are healthier”) and a sense of humor. The event, which raised more than $132,000, including $11,000 from the raffle, supports the Women to Work program at JVS.

JVS Trade Secrets

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1. Keynote speaker Mary Kramer (left) of Detroit, JVS CEO Barbara Nurenberg of Bloomfield and event co-chair Diane Farber of Bingham Farms. 2. Claudia Duerr (left) of Birmingham, event co-chair Gwen Weiner of Franklin and Patricia Mooradian of Bloomfield. 3. Marcie Brogan (left) of Birmingham and Barbara Kratchman of Bloomfield.

4. Award recipient Jeanne Steuer (left) of Farmington Hills with her parents Arthur and Helaine Steuer of Bloomfield.

5. Sue Ellen Eisenberg (left) of Bloomfield, Laurie Kuhlman of Novi and Beth Gotthelf of Birmingham. 6. Lynn Portnoy (left), Marilyn Peters and Lois Shaevsky of Bloomfield.

7. Steve Tapper (center) of W. Bloomfield with JVS’s Dorie Shwedel (left) of Bloomfield and Sharon Snyder of Troy.

8. Judy Greenwald (left) of Royal Oak, Brenda Lawrence of Southfield and Julie Nelson Klein of Bloomfield.

Celebration of Forgotten Harvest Art Van Furniture’s stylish new interior design arm, Scott Shuptrine Interiors, opened at the Royal Oak store with lots of hoopla. This included a cocktail party that celebrated Forgotten Harvest’s hunger fighting mission. More than 150 FH volunteers and board members turned out to sip, sup and peruse handsome room settings and accessories and discuss design concepts with the talented SS designers. They paused for a brief program. It included FH’s Russ Russell’s expression of gratitude to agency friends like Ed and Linda Dresner Levy, who bankrolled the paving of the huge parking lot used by FH’s 37 trucks that delivered 47 million meals last year. FH board member Mike Feezey also presented “boy toys” (bookcase-sized replicas of FH delivery trucks) to Art Van’s Gary VanElslander and Kim Yost. This was a symbol of gratitude for Art Van’s $1 million charity challenge gift to FH.

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Celebration of Forgotten Harvest

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3 1. Gary (left) and Janet Van Elslander of Grosse Pointe and Donna and Kim Yost of Bloomfield. 2.

Ronnie Wilner (left) and his wife Forgotten Harvest founder Nancy Fishman of Birmingham with board member Mike and Suzy Feezey of Farmington Hills.

3. SS designer Tom Verwest (center) of Bloomfield with Paul and Cindy Van Tiem of Troy. 4. Sandra Ramocan (left) of Troy, Forte Belanger’s Nicole, FH volunteers Kathy Hunt of Bloomfield and Christine Santoro of Rochester Hills. 5. Anna Wallbillich (left) of Franklin and Colleen Peters of Bloomfield.

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Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

04.13

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ENDNOTE

Golf is greener at Birmingham courses

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irmingham's two municipal golf courses received more than a passing grade in the city's Parks & Recreation Department 2012 golf report, where it stated that the two courses, Lincoln Hills and Springdale, brought in an increase in revenue of $187,000 in 2012 over the 2011 season, which was a 21 percent jump over a dismal 2011 golf season.

The two golf courses generated $1.07 million in revenue for Birmingham in 2012, providing an operating income of $31,458. In 2011, the courses ran an operating deficit of $126,000. In 2010, there was an operating deficit of $144,558.

There are a bunch of reasons that the two golf courses, Lincoln Hills Golf Course at 2666 W. 14 Mile Road, just west of Cranbrook Road, and Springdale Golf Course, located at 316 Strathmore Road, finally turned a profit after several years of operating in the red. It was a hot, beautiful summer, beginning with a record-breaking March, which had temperatures in the 80s, continuing on into autumn. In July, there were 20 days of 90-plus degree days, enough to make a lot of us want to swing a club.

Weather was not the only positive factor for the two municipal courses, which by definition are public golf courses that are open to the public on a contract or fee basis. Last spring, the city hired a new golf operations manager for clubhouse operations, Jacky Brito, a PGA professional with a strong golf background in all aspects of the game.

She has been reorganizing systems and controls, increasing and promoting leagues, youth classes and tournaments, all of which is providing a much needed experienced touch to the management of the

courses after a greater emphasis on grounds maintenance.

Birmingham sought and acquired a Class C liquor license in 2012, which then brought about expanded food and merchandise in the two golf course clubhouses. The two clubhouses only serve beer and wine, but the thinking was that many golfers, and tournament sponsors, enjoy a beer or glass of wine either on the course or after a round. Once the liquor license was obtained, they expanded their food offerings, and after some initial service difficulties, appear to have smoothed out their refreshments.

Birmingham Director of Public Services Lauren Wood has said she plans this season to hire more food and beverage staff who will be available for the entire length of the golf season.

Two years ago, Downtown looked at the losses sustained by the golf courses, notably 2010's golf report in which Lincoln Hills recorded a deficit of $122,177, and Springdale had a deficit of $22,381, and raised the question of whether Birmingham would be better served outsourcing the management of the two municipal courses. We are pleased to see that currently the parks and recreation department has made inroads in turning around the operations.

But we caution them to not become complacent with their achievements.

National statistics show that the number of golfers has flattened, and a large pool of courses are fawning after a diminishing pool of duffers. The National Golf Foundation's 2011 report showed 107 18-hole equivalent courses closed in 2010, compared with 46 new course openings, continuing a five-year slump.

“Increases in golfers and rounds will not necessarily lead to proportionate increases in revenues, as aggressive pricing will continue to attract bargain-hunting golfers,” National Golf Foundation reported. “The increase in the number of golfers and rounds played over the next 10 years will come, but it will be gradual, and hardly noticeable.”

The golf courses (or, more accurately, the parks and recreation department) have a very large debt to the city that is still outstanding, and they cannot lull themselves into believing the days of losing money are over. In 2010 and 2011, there was an outlay of $642,131 from the city's general fund for a new clubhouse for Lincoln Hills, as well as irrigation upgrades. When you add in the costs for the clubhouse expenses, it becomes an almost $1 million bill to the city. In 2011, city commissioner Gordon Rinschler told this publication there was no timeline for the repayment on the $642,131 for the clubhouse.

“We don't have an end date for that loan to be paid back,” Rinschler said. “We're assuming the golf course will become profitable again, and then we can transfer the money back to the general fund.”

Yet until this debt is repaid, the golf courses will not truly be profitable.

We hope Rinschler's optimism is not misplaced.

We are reserving final judgement on Birmingham's parks and recreation golf plan, and pray they have excellent weather this season, a surplus of golfers, young and old, who want to play often while enjoying refreshments at the two courses. But we're a little wary of calling it a true turnaround, especially with an almost $1 million outstanding liability remaining to the city.

Support those enduring construction woes

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ierce and Merrill streets in downtown Birmingham are undergoing a complete reconstruction over the next three months, with those shops and restaurants whose addresses reside along those two streets enduring street closures, dirt piles, bulldozers, excavators and backhoes, along with construction workers in hard hats and yellow vests. But every one of those businesses want you to know they're still open, and eager for you to visit them.

The downtown Birmingham streets of Pierce, between Maple and Merrill, and Merrill from Pierce to S. Old Woodward, have closed and will be under construction until approximately the middle of June. The city of Birmingham has worked with the construction companies to erect barriers to the sidewalks to protect pedestrians and maintain constant access to Streetside

Seafood, Elie's Mediterranean Café, Varsity Shop, Crimson Rose, The Corner Bar, Toast, Barbara's Paper Bag, and the other businesses on Pierce and Merrill. Some restaurants are offering valet parking to patrons and access to the businesses will be maintained at all times through the alleys.

The major improvement project will provide the streets with new pavement, all new sidewalks, newly designed and installed streetlights, and new water mains and sewer lines. But first, contractors have had to dig up years of asphalt and concrete pavement on the two streets, and burrow down to find almost century-old water and sewer lines.

The city has instituted a bonus/penalty clause into the contractor's contract, to motivate them to get a substantial amount of work done once the road is closed. However, if the contractor fails to

meet its obligation and the job takes longer than expected (late-June), a penalty will be extracted.

In order to achieve both the city and the contractor's goals, work can be expected Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. No work can take place during the overnight hours, or on Sundays.

Road construction work and maintenance is never a desirable, pleasant occurrence, especially in a busy retail downtown area. But it is a necessity. The businesses along Pierce and Merrill streets, as well as the rest of downtown Birmingham, need to be supported during this trying time, so that once summer dawns, and the road work is complete, they are still all standing for all of us to enjoy along with the beautiful streetscape.

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Luke Marton

lmarton@mimutual.com (248) 214-1306 NMLS# 179915

Christian Newberry

cnewberry@mimutual.com (248) 895-8660 NMLS# 13314

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