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DOWNTOWN08.12

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Outside forces pushing Detroit resurgence Detroit supporters from the exurbs continue the tradition of pushing for a revival in the city by investing in buildings, and now they are bringing workers to the central city as part of the push.

CRIME LOCATOR

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For those not residing in the free mail distribution area, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual fee.

Phone 248.792.6464 and request the Distribution department or go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order on-line or scan the QR Code here.

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Birmingham Bike Festival.

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DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD 124 WEST MAPLE ROAD BIRMINGHAM MI 48009 P: 248.792.6464 downtownpublications.com facebook.com/downtownpublications twitter.com/downtownpubs

Publisher: David Hohendorf Ad Manager: Jill Cesarz Graphics/IT Manager: Chris Grammer News Editor: Lisa Brody

News Staff/Contributors: Hayley Beitman, Hillary Brody, Sally Gerak, Eleanor & Ray Heald, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, Kathleen Meisner, Laurie Tennent

DOWNTOWN

Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.

ENDNOTE

THE COVER

Here are recommendations at the midsummer point on white and red wines you can enjoy at seasonal gatherings.

DISTRIBUTION: Mailed monthly at no charge to homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies are distributed at high foot-traffic locations.

SKBK Sotheby's; Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing; The Frankel Organization; Shanghai Automotive; Ashtanga Yoga Room; and more.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

South Bar closes its door, faces license revocation; hurdle for Dunkin Donuts; city goals set after survey; Restaurant ML final approval; update on municipal golf courses; and more.

FOCUS ON WINE

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Zack Sklar, chef/proprietor of Social Kitchen & Bar, has opened the doors on one of Birmingham's newest bistro undertakings.

BUSINESS MATTERS

71: Beth Chappell

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A community profile of Royal Oak, the first in a series of periodic looks at neighboring communities.

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FACES

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Royal Oak Profiled

Once thought of as the domain of the trendy set, recycling is a fact of life for households in Birmingham/ Bloomfield.

AT THE TABLE

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

33: Barak Leibovitz

The ABC's of recycling

It’s time for the city to help complete the Rail District; our views on the 40th state house race, taxes for the DIA and mass transit.

INCOMING: We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional Letters to the Editor in Downtown are published in our Incoming section, and can include traditional letters or electronic communication. Your opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com; or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI, 48009.

Letters must include your full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

08.12

HAVE YOU BEEN TO PRITIKIN YET? YOUR NEIGHBOR HAS… “My mom turned me into a “Pritikinite” before my weight and health got way out of control.

Now... I have given my husband and adult children a gift of my experiences and now they have a healthier lifestyle too!”

Denise Victor – Bloomfield Hills, MI

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW Scientific results set us apart from the pack* 80% DID NOT NEED HEART BYPASS SURGERY AFTER 5 YEARS 60% BACK TO NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE & NO PILLS 75% OF DIABETICS OFF ORAL DRUGS 44% OF DIABETICS OFF INSULIN 50% REVERSED METABOLIC SYNDROME 33% REDUCTION IN TRIGLYCERIDES IN 3 WEEKS 23% REDUCTION IN LDL CHOLESTEROL IN 3 WEEKS WEIGHT LOSS AVERAGED 11 POUNDS IN 3 WEEKS 85% MAINTAINED PROGRAM AFTER 5 YEARS

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? *For references to scientific studies visit our website www.pritikin.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER

L

ate summer in our household always serves as a reminder about the impending start of the major fund-raising season for the non-profits groups in the southeast Michigan region.

I watch as my wife Suzette, who manages major fund-raising events for Gleaners Community Food Bank, toils away in preparation for a series of community events to raise money to feed our neighbors in the region that are food insecure. Although most who attend these events have no idea of the behind the scenes work many months in advance, Suzette and her counterparts at the other non-profit groups start in late spring, if not earlier, to prepare and eventually host minor and major events that help to raise sustaining funds for a variety of community causes.

In her case, she has been working for months on an August 9 Iron Chef competition in Livingston County; a similar event September 27 in Rochester, sponsored by Baker Tilly; the annual Bernie Smilovitz Harvest Classic golf outing on September 10, while at the same time lending her expertise to the planning for the annual Vine and Dine fund-raiser September 5, hosted once again this year by Joe Bauman and his crew at the Birmingham/Bloomfield Chamber.

So on the homefront the reminder comes in the shape of early morning and late night meetings, endless phone calls and the ever-growing but organized piles of material devoted to each event.

Suzette's job and her dedication to her mission, along with our family's history of involvement in a number of community causes, was one of the reasons that Downtown Publications in 2011 decided to develop a new publication, the Black Book of Non-Profits, to serve as a guide to the various non-profit fund-raising events in the region.

The Black Book of Non-Profits is a comprehensive guide to the non-profit groups in the metro area and their major fundraising events. We will publish our next edition this fall and include major society events and smaller fund-raising efforts for the period of November 2012 through September of 2013. Over 25,000 copies are mailed to homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township, an area that provides a disproportionate share of time and donations for community groups across southeast Michigan.

Our first edition proved popular with local residents, as well as the charitable groups. Hundreds of groups and their events were profiled in an upscale, full-color, magazine-size publication. This year we assume the number of groups and the size of the publication will grow.

At this writing we are nearing the end of the editorial work on the edition that will be published this fall, although if your group was missed for some reason, you can still contact Hayley Beitman in the news department at our offices for information on how your group's event can still be included.

Likewise, Ad Manager Jill Cesarz continues to work with the business community which gave us strong support last year.

The Black Book of Non-Profits is an excellent way to showcase your business in an annual publication with long shelf-life while at the same time demonstrating your support for the community groups that contribute to the quality of life in this region.

While there are some signs of an economic recovery underway, this still remains a critical time in the world of non-profits where charitable groups are working harder to fulfill growing demands for assistance.

It is our hope that this publication, our contribution at Downtown Publications to give back to the communities, will help educate our readers even more about the non-profit groups, their missions and perhaps help bolster the fundraising endeavors over the next year.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

A MAN IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS. The Hon. Steven Andrews, former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Saul Anuzis, former Chairman, Michigan Republican Party Susy Heintz Avery, former Chairwoman, Michigan Republican Party Neal Barnett, Bloomfield Township Trustee Mike Bishop, former State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bosnic, Oakland County Commissioner David Buckley, Bloomfield Township Trustee Bill Bullard, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Dennis Cowan, former Chairman, Oakland County Republican Party Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General Hugh Crawford, State Representative Kathy Crawford, Oakland County Commissioner Dan Devine, Bloomfield Township Treasurer Bill Dwyer, Oakland County Commissioner John Engler, former Michigan Governor Mike Gingell, Chairman, Oakland County Board of Commissioners David Gorcyca, former Oakland County Prosecutor Bob Gosselin, Oakland County Commissioner Gail Haines, State Representative Patricia Hardy, Bloomfield Hills City Commissioner (and former Mayor) Kurt Heise, State Representative Bob Hoffman, Oakland County Commissioner Bradford Jacobsen, State Representative Greg Jamian, former Oakland County Commissioner John Jamian, former State Representative Randy Judd, former Birmingham Mayor Joe Knollenberg, former U.S. Representative Adam Kochenderfer, Rochester Hills City Councilman Eileen Kowall, State Representative Mike Kowall, State Senator The Hon. Richard D. Kuhn, former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge The Hon. Norman Lippitt, former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Chris Long, Oakland County Commissioner Jim Marleau, State Senator Ken Massey, Farmington Hills City Councilman Jeff Matis, Vice Chairman, Oakland County Board of Commissioners John McCulloch, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Tom McDaniel, Birmingham City Commissioner Willy Mena, Novi Library Trustee The Hon. Fred Mester, former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Tom Middleton, Oakland County Commissioner Scott Moore, Birmingham City Commissioner Chuck Moss, State Representative Mark Nickita, Birmingham Mayor Beth Nuccio, Oakland County Commissioner John Pastor, Livonia City Councilman

Thomas Adams Kelly Potts Addis Jim Aldrich Denise Alexander Lynn Alexander Peter Alter Norman Ankers Howard Arnkoff Marc Arnkoff, M.D. Ira Auslander Paul Avesian Roger Avie Bill Axtell Harvey Babcock William Ballard Charles P. Barnes Bruce J. Barrett Kristy Barrett Andy Basile, Jr. Henry Baskin David Baumhart Julia Baumhart Peter Baumhart Bill Belcher, Sr. Brian Belesky Bob Benkert Renee Bergman Andrew Bergstrom Irene Bernhard Dan Beyer Eleanor Blum Ed Boutrous Greg Boyajian Keefe Brooks Barbara Burnstein Marty Burnstein Dave Cameron Dave Camilleri Pam Carmichael Jerry Cavellier Mark Champion Kendra Cleary Ruth Clevers Anne Cole-Pierce

Thomas Cory Michael Cotter Rosemary Cotter Christopher Cummins Andrew Dahl Peggy Dahlberg Lyle Dahlberg Bobby Davis Mary Katherine DeCuir Antoine Delaforterie Jennifer DeMelloJohnson James Derian Caryn Devaney Dennis Devaney Robert Dindoffer Bud Downing Judy Downing Shelley Drake Ezra Drissman Talya Drissman Ron Dwyer Colleen Egan Robin Eikenberry Emily Einhardt Laura Eisenberg Kimberly Elkins Jim Elsman Karen Faett Tom Fanning Ingrid Farquharson Edward Fisher Gerry Fisher The Rev. Bill Fleming Sally Foley David Foster Jacqueline Foster Alan Ganshorn

Robert Gatt Mike George Jacob German Lauren Gervason Gary Giumetti Roxanne Giumetti Lorne Gold Michele Grigorian Tom Halsted Bill Hampton Donna Hartwig Gene Hartwig Harvey Hauer Mark Hauser Nicola Hawatmeh J. Michael Huget Rickie Ibe Robert M. Jackson Mary Ann Jerge Frank Jonna Ruth Katsnelson Alan Jay Kaufman Dick Keier Jeffrey Kellett Jan Klein Sandie Knollenberg Brett Koretzky Lena Koretzky Greg Krause Vicki Lange William Langford Bill Largent Gary Leeman Suzanne Leeman Dan Lievois Eric Linder Steve Linder

Eric Lumberg Gene Lumberg Pam Lumberg Rob Lund Doug MacLean Dan MacLeish Joyce MacLeish Frank Mamat Ed Mancini Steve Mancini Lana Mangiapane Dennis Marburger Karen Marcinak Bob Marzoff Caron McCracken Richard McLellan Leslie McNamara John Mills Pam Moceri Meyer Morganroth Daniel J. K. Murray Linden Nelson Michelle Nelson Robert Nemzin Kelly Nigohosian Paul Nine Sue Nine Henry Nurenberg Judy O’Donnel Linda Orlans Greg Orley Joe Orley Ed Padilla, Jr. Ed Pappas Amy Peterman John Piceu John Pirich David Plunkett

L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive* Julie Plotnik, former Birmingham City Commissioner Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, former State House Majority Leader Gordon Rinschler, Birmingham City Commissioner Jim Runestad, Oakland County Commissioner Leo Savoie, Bloomfield Township Supervisor John Scott, Oakland County Commissioner Coco Seiwert, former Birmingham Mayor Stuart Sherman, Birmingham City Commissioner Sheldon Smith, former Chairman, Oakland County Republican Party David Staudt, Novi City Councilman Shelley Goodman Taub, Oakland County Commissioner The Hon. Clifford Taylor, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Phil Weipert, Oakland County Commissioner Pamela Williams, Bloomfield Township Library Trustee Eric Wilson, former Oakland County Commissioner Donn Wolf, former Oakland County Commissioner

*“I'm supporting DAVE POTTS, and you should, too!”

L. BROOKS PATTERSON Oakland County Executive

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VOTE! Tuesday, August 7th By absentee ballot or at the polls - Michigan Primary Election Endorsed by:

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Tom Plunkett Dave Poirer Richard Poling, Jr. Kevin Popp Andy Porter Stephanie Potts Mark Pytiak Walter Pytiak Harry Radcliff Jennifer Radcliff Rebecca Radcliff The Rev. Dr. C. Corydon Randall Pam Redfield Kristen Rettig Sharon Riley Kevin Rinke Tom Ritter David Rohtbart Max Rohtbart Mark Rottenberk Harriet Rotter Norm Rotter Barry Rutheiser Gerry Sallen Jan Sallen John J. Schrot Boris Sellers JoAnn Sellers Zachary Shaban James Shanek Daniel Sharkey Noel Siksai David Silver Karl Sipfle Barb Smith Levi Smith Gordon Snavely Barry Solomon Linda Solomon Rebecca Sorensen Darlene Sosnick Amy Spilman Christopher Stinson Lynne Stinson Terry Stinson Mark Stuart Susan Tabar David C. Thomas Chip Tischer Phil Vestavich Denise Victor Richard Victor William Volz Wanda Warsinski Timothy Weiler Jay Welford Michael White Kevin Wilhelmi Jill Wilkinson Justin Winkelman Sarah Winsky Chris Wolf Shirley Wolf Norman Yatooma Barbara Yolles Al Zaparackas

INCOMING Misguided on bistros I'm not sure if your publication is misguided or unguided, but it is surely one of them in its call for a temporary halt to new bistro permits (Endnote/Downtown/July 2012).

What's the problem? The ordinance allowing bistros has been one of the most popular acts of the Birmingham City Commission in years. Virtually all the bistros have been popular additions to town, and virtually no problems have been associated with them. In fact, in calling for a moratorium, the only real problem you cite is the failure of several successful applicants to follow through and open their establishments.

You vaguely refer to a "saturation point," "tipping point," and "the correct mix of restaurants and retail," but make no attempt to define those things. And you shouldn't. The marketplace will do just fine on its own.

Interesting that you aren't calling for a moratorium on new salons or real estate agents. Would you feel differently if the bistros were advertised in your magazine? The fact that they do not is most likely a testament to their popularity.

Clinton Baller, Birmingham

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I am genuinely concerned with your consistent assault on the Birmingham bistro ordinance (Endnote/Downtown/July 2012). Your position seems to be misguided as well as absent credible facts.

With few, if any, exceptions bistros have proven to be very popular, active and patronized by adults (too many kids in town was a common complaint not too long ago) positively impacting pedestrian foot traffic downtown. In fact, bistros have created no problems.

If the success of the bistros continues, market driven competition for retail shops will increase as a result of the increased foot traffic. Whatever you mean by “the correct mix of restaurants and retail” or “saturation point” will occur on its own, as it does in all cities. They evolve and adapt to market conditions. This is all good stuff.

Additionally, the ordinance is a work in progress. It is already restrictive in terms of timing and number of approvals per year. Those approvals are solely granted by the city commission.

Should there be a moratorium on real estate ads in your publication just because I think there are too many or that I own a competing agency? Or

DOWNTOWN

better yet, how about a moratorium on local publications such as yours?

It is truly foolish and shortsighted to be afraid of success.

Christopher Longe, Christopher J. Longe AIA, Architecture & Interiors, Birmingham

Savings up in smoke On June 21, the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education approved a 3-year contract with the Bloomfield Hills Education Association (BHEA). As reported in the press, “Because of changes to health care plans, the district has determined that they will realize an estimated savings of $64,400 to $526,406 in school year 2012-2013, and $1,708,632 in the 2013-2014 school year.”

These savings appear to be in line with reforms mandated by state legislation on school employee health care benefits funding.

The publicly distributed package for the June 21 school board meeting says, “The savings from the tentative agreement, as compared to budgeted increases, are $64,400 - $526,406 in 2012-13 and $1,708,632 in 2013-14.”

This appears to read as if all the savings are due to the changes in health benefits mandated by the state.

The local press also reported, “For the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years, teachers will see no salary increase other than for the top step, which will receive a one percent increase.” This statement is not correct.

As stated in the board distributed package, “(For) 2012-13; no increase in the salary schedule except on the top step; full steps; top step receives one percent more than the top step received in 2011-12. Estimated additional cost over 2011-12 = $1,321,570.” Similarly, 2013-14 yields a cost over 2012-13 at $1,063,333 – or $2,384,903 higher than 2011-12.

So much for fiscal restraint.

It appears individual teachers will continue to receive raises based on these seniority-driven schedules rather than merit. With the return to “full steps” the raises will be twice the “half step” increases received under the expiring contract.

Apparently, there is no longer a need for the teachers to sacrifice even the pace of their increases. I presume administrators will be similarly rewarded.

These changes, agreed to less than a month after the May election, will cost the district more than the projected annual operating budget savings of the consolidated high school project. That vote authorized a capital 08.12

SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

While we don’t have a specific word limitation, we reserve the right to edit for length.

bond with an annual tax cost of $4.2 million to save operating costs of $1.4 million annually.

J. S. Roach, Bloomfield Hills

Woodward speed limits Thank you for sharing with us the proposed "multi-modal plan" (Downtown/June 2012) in which the Woodward speed limit would be reduced to 35 m.p.h. "possibly from Detroit's city limits up to Pontiac."

Perhaps we can save some lives now by ticketing the drivers who drive five miles (or more) faster than the posted 45 mph and 50 m.p.h. limits, and especially all those who speed-up at yellow lights and/or drive through red lights.

Richard Rosenbaum, Birmingham

Dewey decimal system Your publication is a welcome addition to our community.

Lisa Brody's articles are always interesting and well written, but contrary to her statement in the July 2012 issue (Beyond the Shelves/ Downtown) regarding the Dewey decimal system being a relic of the past, she needs to know that the system is alive and well.

Mainly, the old card catalog system has been computerized, but the books on the shelves still are numbered according to the Dewey decimal system.

Mary Kathleen Juntunen, Bloomfield Hills

Phenomenal oxymoron I thought that it was a phenomenal oxymoron for you to use the picture of a woman in full term pregnancy for your lead into the Planned Parenthood article (Downtown /May 2012). downtownpublications.com

That organization's main source of income - apart from our taxpayers' money - is from abortion services.

Planned Parenthood is one of the main proponents of the mass slaughter of innocents in the womb, which has totaled 54 million since the Roe vs, Wade ruling that legalized abortion in this country in 1973. To understand that huge number, think of it as the total population of the following states: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming, S. Dakota, Iowa, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Nebraska.

The whole world was horrified to learn of the horrible medical experiments carried out by Dr. (Josef) Mengele and his Nazi henchman on live humans, yet it turns a blind eye to the so called "health services" performed by Planned Parenthood. The interviewer skirted the real answer about what Planned Parenthood does, how it is really funded, and gave the impression that most of their money comes from folks like you and I. Baloney.

The article also ignored recent medical evidence linking breast cancer to the use of the contraceptive pill and the morning after pill and to abortions. I believe that one of the reasons that the (Susan G. Komen organization) decision was made was because they realized that their fight against breast cancer was being undermined by their donating to Planned Parenthood's abortion services. Unfortunately, the liberal outcry by our current press and by lobbyists for Planned Parenthood caused them to reverse their decision, which caused some of their main directors to resign. They did not have the "courage to defend life."

In addition to medical problems caused by abortion, women are also impacted by mental and psychological issues and many regret - and carry the guilt - of their unwise decisions to take part in the horrific killing of their own children. An abortion is not some simple evacuation of "tissue," it is the barbaric killing of a human life.

At Mother and Unborn Baby Care (MAUBC), we support life and help women preserve their life choice. We run a Problem Pregnancy Center in Southfield where we offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, material assistance and counseling and are totally funded by our own fundraisers and private donations. We believe that life is precious and not to be terminated by the barbaric operation embraced by Planned Parenthood.

Michael Brennan, Chairman, MAUBC

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MOVERS & SHAKERS OAKLAND COUNTY POWERS RECREATING DETROIT

BY LISA BRODY

F

or over forty years Detroit was a city spiraling downward, while its suburbs forged ahead, growing stronger, like a body sprinting towards a finish line without a head.

From the racial divide which ruptured with the 1967 riots and was exacerbated over the Coleman Young years, to an economic slide made worse by poor decision-making at the automotive companies, Detroit slid from one of the 20th century's premier cities to the emblem of rust belt decay and dysfunction. The nadir appears to have come a few years ago, with the duality of the federal government takeover of General Motors and Chrysler while former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick went to jail for perjury and is currently indicted on federal racketeering and other charges.

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08.12

Former newscaster Bill Bonds famously said in the 1980s that the last one leaving Detroit should turn out the lights. But rather than turn off the lights, with a new century and a new decade, an exciting dynamic has taken hold, an urgency to regenerate the old metropolis, to not merely resuscitate it from the ashes of its previous glory, but to create a new Detroit, one that will reflect both its history and distinction, but can also move forward and develop as a new entity.

O

ver the years, several visionary leaders repeatedly attempted to reattach the amputated appendage, and often they came from the suburbs of Detroit, from Henry Ford II, Max Fisher, and Alfred Taubman in the 1970s with the Renaissance Center along Jefferson Avenue and the Detroit River and the Riverfront apartments, and later, Mike Illitch with the Fox Theater and Comerica Park, and Robert Sosnick with Stroh River Place.

In the last decade, Peter Karmanos of Orchard Lake took up the torch, developing the Compuware building and adjacent Campus Martius, finally seeming to spur interest and development in an area that looked like a financial wasteland. Now, Dan Gilbert of Oakland County has taken the lead from Karmanos, moving Quicken and his other related businesses to downtown Detroit, and is finally creating a sustainable financial district.

As success and interest begets more of the same, others are excited and energized, looking for opportunities to move to the city.

What each had in common, besides their vision, wealth and influence, was that they lived in the suburbs of Detroit, primarily Oakland County, rather than in the city. “(Former mayor) Coleman Young was suspicious of suburbanites and was racially motivated, so any good feelings people had about the city evaporated because of that,” said John Klemanski, a political science professor at Oakland University. “As Detroit was in economic decline with poverty, crime and schools declining, people didn't want to spend their time there, and suburbs became a viable choice.

They were not just bedroom communities, they became edge cities that had industry and entertainment and lots of options that a core city would have. The jobs followed and migrated elsewhere, to Oakland and Macomb counties.”

Klemanski said business people always saw the opportunities in the Detroit, which city leaders sometimes exploited. “We saw this in the '70s and '80s, where people who grew up in the metro area, they were loyal to the city of Detroit and had a natural affinity for the city, wanted to help and do good,” he said. “The city really needs these kinds of boosters. Look at what Mike Illitch did to the area around the Fox Theater and Comerica Park.”

Klemanski said his research on urban areas has shown that Detroiters, including suburban Detroiters, hold a special love for their city, and want to see its resurgence, or to play a part in that revival.

“I found that the home loyalty and home grown talent towards Detroit is far more loyal to Detroit than for people who grew up in New York, Chicago or somewhere else and then got transferred here because their corporation made a decision,” he said. He said that allegiance cannot be underestimated for Detroit's comeback, especially “since Columbus, Austin, Indianapolis are all now bigger cities than Detroit is, and they're all just mid-size cities.”

Gilbert, 50, of Franklin, is currently the headliner for the revival of Detroit's downtown and midtown, having moved Quicken Loans headquarters into the Compuware building in 2010, along with 1,700 employees. In 2011 and 2012, he has been on a downtown buying spree, purchasing the historic Madison Theater Building, Chase Tower, the Dime Building, now renamed Chrysler House, First National Building, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Detroit branch building, as well as some smaller buildings. Currently, his group of companies employ 5,300 employees in downtown Detroit, and in mid-July he announced the move to Detroit of another 1,500 workers from a Troy-based company he owns.

Gilbert, through Bedrock Real Estate Services, which he owns with Franklin resident Jim Ketai, is developing space for retail in Detroit, along with Somerset mall owner Nathan Forbes, also of Franklin, and there are efforts to develop residential housing in the area.

While Gilbert and his efforts dominate much of the local press clippings on downtown development, and is rightly lauded, he is not the only active Oakland County resident putting his energy and power behind re-gentrifying the city.

“It's huge what he's (Gilbert) doing. There might not have been the opportunities for others if not for what he's done,” said Dale Watchowski, CEO of Redico, a Southfield development and management firm which has had business in Detroit for decades, going back to when original CEO/owner Robert Sosnick developed Stroh River Place. “It's tremendously important the number of people Gilbert is bringing in to downtown. In fact, many of the people want to live down there and can't find housing because there's not enough rental housing for all of the people he's brought downtown.”

Watchowski, a Birmingham resident, noted his and his company's commitment and excitement about the redevelopment of Detroit reflected that “We were the developers of the Compuware building for Peter Karmanos (of Orchard Lake), and we recently bought a medical building that was a troubled asset with the intent of securing tenants and leasing retail in it. With our relationships with Detroit, we were asked to come in and develop the Gateway Marketplace project (at Woodward and 8 Mile roads), which had languished for 11 years.”

The Gateway Marketplace, scheduled to open spring of 2013, is the first major retail development in the city of Detroit in over two decades, and will feature the entry of Meier grocers into the Detroit city limits for the first time. Situated near the former state fairgrounds, it encompasses over 36 acres of

land, and will offer 360,000 square feet of retail to Detroiters and neighboring communities.

In addition to Meier, Watchowski said they have signed Marshall's, K&G Menswear, Dots, PNC Bank, and McDonald's, with many more retailers and restaurants to come. It is currently 86 percent leased.

“What we saw in this opportunity, while others refer to the central business district, was that the need for retail was underserved, and we wanted to offer those services to all of Detroit,” he said.

Watchowski said he grew up in the area, and is gaining a lot of personal satisfaction with this project. “I always have felt Detroit needs a strong urban core to draw people, young people, businesses,” he said. “It does give me a great deal of personal satisfaction to see Detroit recover.”

David Page, an attorney who has worked downtown for 58 years in the First National Building with Honigman, said, “My life revolves around Detroit. I may live in Bloomfield now, but I'm a native Detroiter. I go downtown every day.”

Page, as a board member of the Kresge Foundation, sought, with his fellow trustees, to do something transformational for the city with which he said he feels intertwined. “We wanted to make a difference. First we looked at Belle Isle, but it's an island. Then we looked at the riverfront, where a lot of land had been taken for the casinos under (former mayor Dennis) Archer. Restaurants were closed. The landscape was broken, sidewalks were broken, silos were abandoned, industrial land was laying fallow.

We started meeting with people from the mayor's office, foundations, corporations and developed the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy in 2003. We had no land control, we just had an idea, a vision, to recapture the riverfront and make it accessible to the public with walkways and green spaces on the river, and to incentivize the area for development and economic activity,” he said.

T

he Kresge Foundation put up the initial $50 million, and the conservancy, now with a CEO and a board, has raised $120 million of the goal of $140 million for the first phase, which is 80 percent built. The east side of the riverfront, from Gabriel Richard park, just east of the Belle Isle bridge, to Hart Plaza, is now a beautiful riverwalk, with walkways open along the river for the first time in Detroit's history, pavilions, the Milliken Michigan state park, and a public port authority.

A second phase, from Hart Plaza to the Ambassador Bridge, would create a full fivemile walkway along the Detroit River, creating accessibility, walkability, biking, and a complete lifestyle change for tens of thousands of Detroiters. Page said the west side project will begin in 2013, and will be a longer project, from procuring the land, some of which is cityowned, other property which is held by railroads, and some by the Ambassador Bridge company.

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“We've already bought the former Detroit Free Press printing plant, and demolished that,” Page said. He said he believes raising funds for the west side phase will take approximately 10 years, and would not yet put a price tag on how much needs to be raised.

“For the first time, our waterway is now accessible and usable,” said Mitch Mondry, a Bloomfield Township investor who Page invited onto the Conservancy board. “That's one of the things that really excited me. I grew up (in Franklin) racing sailboats with my dad on Lake St. Clair, and sometimes we would go to the mouth of the river, and it was all industrial waste. There was no place to go and no place to stop. Now I see the vision of the future.”

Mondry added, “People love water. Now you can stand on the guard rails of the RiverWalk and stand and look at Canada, the freighters, the cruise ships.”

The conservancy opened a Detroit Port Authority last year, which Mondry pointed out, is the first time Detroit has had an international port. “It's the first time cruise lines on Great Lakes cruises are making Detroit a destination,” he said.

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he walkways are not meant to be destinations unto themselves.

“Before the economic crash (in 2008), there were three projects announced for the riverfront,” said Page. “Then the crash came and they never got off the ground. The potential is that they will happen. The main reason we started the Detroit River Conservancy was to be an economic catalyst and to have mixed use of residential and retail downtown. The key is having residential downtown and in midtown.”

“I think people are feeling positive and optimistic about job growth, and that we've weathered the worst,” said Mondry, who is chairing the Conservancy's annual campaign for raising $1 million to put towards operations and maintenance of the space. “They're excited that we're all seeing tangible results about building in Detroit. It becomes a magnet and draws more and more people. It will snowball.

Success breeds success.”

As they move forward on the riverfront, envisioning the completion of the first phase, the east side, the goal still is “to create destination places along the river,” Mondry said. “We've been at it for about 10 years, and we have two-and-a-half miles just about complete and hundreds of thousands of people using it. We're already seeing results. The next step in economic development is for investors and developers to begin development. We're just at the point economically, I believe, where developers are confident about coming in.”

He anticipates residential buildings along the riverfront, with 50-unit apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and assorted businesses supporting them along the waterway in economic clusters.

“Boston and Baltimore have done it,” Mondry said, intimating that Detroit is next.

Josh Linkner of Bloomfield Hills, a partner with Gilbert and Brian Hermelin of Bingham

Farms and Earvin “Magic” Johnson in Detroit Venture Partners, is also excited and passionate about reigniting Detroit, but as a serial entrepreneur, as he calls himself, he is pursuing a track of helping entrepreneurs in the city.

“We're investing in start-ups, especially in tech start-ups,” Linkner said. “Our approach is through entrepreneurship, and by backing entrepreneurs, we'll be able to bring back density, jobs and hope. It's a way of keeping kids here after educating them. They leave because they want a rich urban experience. If we can create a really rich urban work, play and live experience here in Detroit, they'll want to stay in Detroit, work here and contribute here.”

Detroit Venture Partners invests in young startup technology companies, many which focus on mobile applications, software and Internet companies, the companies, as Linkner points out, that younger people out of college want to be a part of. They are currently making 10 to 12 investments a year.

It's a theme he emphasizes as he focuses on the talents he sees emigrating from the suburbs of Detroit to the rich urban areas of New York City or Chicago.

“We have amazing talents coming out of our universities here in Michigan who go off and build Chicago or New York's economies,” he said, noting the number of twenty-somethings who graduate from Michigan's universities and then leave for those cities. “If instead we build up Detroit's economy, it builds up the suburbs, and it improves all of Michigan.

“There is a lot of private investment going on here,” Linkner continued. “Now is our our time to seize.”

Linkner said they are seeing talent and investment coming into Detroit from outside of the area, which further validates what they are doing. “It's the hot place to be,” he said. “A hundred years ago, Detroit was the Silicon Valley of the country. We lost our way, and now is the time to reconnect to our roots.”

Linkner said Detroit Venture Partners plans to continue investing in 10 or 12 startups a year for the foreseeable future. “We plan to do this for the next 10 years. That's more than 100 companies. If a few hit, that's hundreds of jobs, thousands of dollars put into the local economy.

We're trying to create a density downtown. We want them to populate here. You create a vibe, a serendipity.”

Leah Moss, 24, graduated from Michigan State University in 2010, and started the men's magazine Jack. After four issues, she closed it down, but was immediately scooped up by Linkner to provide creative content and social media for Detroit Venture Partners. Having grown up in Southfield, she quickly became one of the transplants to the new downtown area.

“I started at Detroit Venture Partners the first week of January (2012), and moved down here the third week of January,” she said. She and her boyfriend, who works at Quicken Loans, moved to an apartment on Woodward between Grand Circus Park and Campus Martius.

“A lot of my friends are scattered across the country, and location wasn't tying me down,” she said. “I'm part of something different. The landscape is changing day-to-day. Since

January, a couple of blocks have changed.

Friends who have been down a year or longer say it's vastly different.”

Moss said she doesn't feel like an urban pioneer because other than for clothes shopping, “there is no shortage of real life necessities. Shopping is coming, and the rest is coming. The coffee shops are here, the restaurants are here. We do all of our grocery shopping at Eastern Market, so everything is fresh and locally grown and locally sourced.”

If anything, she said she feels late to the downtown party. “Everything (apartment buildings) had waiting lists, which says you're behind the eight-ball,” she said. “The buildings are all vacant or full. It doesn't mean the streets are full and vibrant all of the time, but there is definitely a creative, innovative energy here, and so much excitement. I've never felt unsafe or threatened.

“There is a real sense of community here, that anyone who has moved downtown is part of a self-selected group,” Moss continued. “It is clear that anyone who is here has made a choice. It's not easier to live here than Royal Oak or Birmingham, but if they're in your building, you know they made a choice. There's a shared sense of value.”

Ben Newman, 28, who grew up in Bloomfield but lives in Corktown, doesn't feel like a pioneer either. “My perspective, my generation's perspective, and my interest, is in the inner cores of a region. I feel I have an opportunity to help an us versus them mentality, to help bridge some of that divide,” he said. “I know I'm slowly doing that.”

Newman and his brother are creating the Detroit Institute of Bagels in an old rundown building at a corner of Michigan Avenue just west of the Lodge in Corktown. “It's an opportunity to define the corner,” Newman said.

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ewman, who has a masters in urban planning from University of Michigan, had previously done a lot of work on vacant land in Detroit when he and his brother realized that “bagels were the most glaring omission in the independent food business in the city,” he said.

“There's a Tim Horton's and an Einstein's but food enthusiasts would question whether those are bagels.

“My thesis is that food is what makes a place,” he said. “When I travel, I remember where and what I ate. The food business is what brings people together.”

The Newman brothers began making bagels out of their house in Corktown, making two to four dozen a day, and selling them all. They then began playing around with flavors and ingredients besides the traditional plain, egg, salt, and poppyseed, creating rosemary, olive oil, and sea salt, scallion dill, and bacon cheddar cheese, among others.

In the summer of 2011, they began selling their bagels at Eastern Market, and repeatedly sold out. The next step was a brick and mortar establishment. The Detroit Institute of Bagels was born. Seven months later, it is still in labor,

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a product of needing a new facade on the old building, new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and recreating it into a bagel shop for the neighborhood. He anticipates it opening in late 2012 or early 2013.

Hopefully soon, the bagel shop will have 15 seats inside, as well as outdoor seats. All bagels will be made in-house.

“We're thinking about how people will use the space, and we want to create a great experience for both employees and visitors,” Newman said.

“Corktown is a gateway between the neighborhoods and the downtown.

What we're trying to do is set up a bagel shop that people from the neighborhood can use, as well as people from the suburbs, and visitors from other areas, too.”

To further the connectivity between regions, Newman is planning to create a map on the exterior of the building “to let people explore beyond just the bagel shop, to see Slows (BBQ) nearby, and that Campus Martius is just one mile to the east.”

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ick Gorga, 35, of Birmingham, an attorney at Honigman in Detroit, notes he and his wife were once those kids in Chicago.

“We moved back here because we realized that we were part of the brain drain going on here,” he said. “But I said that if I came back, I wanted to put my stamp on something that I could look back on in 30 years and say, 'I had a hand in doing something significant. I helped create change.'”

Not content to merely sit on large boards, Gorga sought a hands on opportunity for revitalization and neighborhood reinvigoration. “In Chicago, what made neighborhoods cool was cool retail,” he recalled. “Cool, vibrant, independent retail is the lifeblood of a changing neighborhood. It's what makes a neighborhood cool. Without foot traffic, you're got going to have developers creating residential.”

Along with a partner, entrepreneur Ted Blowski, they created Hatch Detroit, a contest to invite retail submissions and then have the public vote on who to have Hatch invest $50,000 in for a retail establishment in Detroit.

The definition of retail was loose—“we felt it was somewhere where you give money for a service, whether a store, restaurant, bar, anything,” Gorga said.

Their first year was 2011. Between July 1 and September 1, expecting 50 submissions, they received 250. With the assistance of experts in Detroit retail, they narrowed the entries down to 10, and then took the submissions, which came in the form of videos, blogs, resumes, biographies, and profiled them publicly on television, news and social media sites. Sixty-five thousand votes were cast, with the final four competing in a live question-and-answer format in front of a panel of three retail experts.

The winner, Hugh, owned by Joe Posch, is a home goods-meet-Mad Menstyle store that has had success whenever it has found space as a pop up store in the last couple of years. Gorga said the store is set to open in late August or early September as the key tenant in the new Auburn building at the corner of Cass and Canfield in midtown Detroit. “It's one of eight spots, and he'll be a destination location,” Gorga said.

They're currently accepting submissions for the second year of Hatch Detroit. Following the initial success of year one, Comerica Bank put up the entire $50,000 for the contest, plus all of the money needed to market it.

“When you go to one of their ATMs, an offer for Hatch for people to donate comes on the screen,” Gorga said. “They've really put their support and energy behind this.”

He noted interest from potential retailers is also higher this year. He and Blowski have hired an executive director, and hope to hire a staff soon.

“I can't imagine having done anything greater when I decided to move back here,” he said. “Living in Birmingham, I get to see a walkable, compelling community that people want to come to. I get to see a blueprint of a destination city. When I came back here, I saw an urban renewal, and we were banking on people getting behind this. It's very humbling and rewarding.

The success of a region as a whole, in a meaningful part, depends on having a strong downtown, a working downtown, with people eating at restaurants, going to entertainment venues, creating jobs, living there, feeling the electricity,” Gorga said passionately. “We have seen companies at the highest level becoming very invested in downtown. Couple that with the energy and excitement, I believe it will have the legs to sustain it.”

“The front door of Detroit, what was established 300 years ago, is being reestablished,” said David Page. “It's our face to the world.” downtownpublications.com

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Local municipalities routinely offer curbside pick up for recycling alongside its trash collection.

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It's become easy for households and businesses to recycle, and the rewards for the environment have been made clearer to consumers, encouraging them to participate.

By making it easier, it's become a win-win for everyone.

Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from something that has already served an original purpose in order to prevent waste of potentially useful materials. It helps reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, which depletes the world-wide supply, as well as reduces energy usage, air pollution from incineration of garbage and water pollution from landfilling, and reduces the need for traditional waste disposal. Recycling is the key component of modern waste reduction. here are different systems that are implemented to collect recyclables and differentiate them from trash.

The three main ways are drop off centers, where a waste processor puts a bin in a central location and encourages people to drop off their recyclables. It is the most cost-efficient way, but in many communities suffers from the lowest return.

Buy back centers, particularly for indemand metals, are another form of recycling, and in recent years, have been extremely popular and lucrative for both scrappers, those who search and resell scrap metal, and businesses which buy the metal.

Curbside collection is another method of obtaining recyclables, and provides the greatest ease for residents because it occurs at the same time as residential garbage collection. Curbside collection can either be mixed waste collection, where recyclables are mixed together, or separated service, where each time a recyclable must be separated to go into different areas of the recyclable truck.

In Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, curbside recycling service is offered along with trash collection to all homeowners.

Bloomfield Hills homeowners privately contract out for waste and recycling services.

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has a slogan that has become well known: Reduce, reuse, recycle. That refers to the now widespread and widely accepted philosophy that citizens should reduce the amount and toxicity of the waste they dispose of, and reuse as many containers and products as they can. The government urges people to recycle whatever items they can, and to purchase products made of recycled content. Ideally, the next step they would like people to take is to practice composting, where microorganism break down certain forms of waste, such as vegetable and fruit peelings and yard trimmings, and other organic waste, through microorganisms.

There are several benefits to recycling, from reducing the need for landfilling and

T

incineration, which is detrimental to the environment, as well as it prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials. According to the EPA, recycling saves energy and decreases emissions of greenhouse gasses that contribute to global climate change. It also conserves natural resources, such as timber, water, and minerals, helping to sustain the environment for future generations.

The amount of energy saved through recycling depends upon the material being recycled and the type of energy being utilized. Aluminum is generally agreed to use far less energy when recycled, rather than being produced from scratch. The EPA states that “recycling aluminum cans, for example, saves 95 percent of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from its virgin source, bauxite.” In fact, in 2009, more than half of all aluminum cans produced came from recycled aluminum.

Recycling includes collecting materials that often are considered waste, but that can be reused and reworked into other formats.

Once collected, the materials are sorted and processed into raw materials such as fibers, manufacturing raw materials into new products, and then they are purchased as new recycled products.

“Collecting and processing secondary materials, manufacturing recycled-content products, and then buying recycled products creates a circle or loop that ensures the overall success and value of recycling,” the EPA said.

Key items which are recyclable—and accepted by the waste haulers picking up refuse in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, and Bloomfield Hills—are numerous, and pretty identifiable for most residents.

According to the Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA), which provides recycling services to 12 Oakland County communities, including Birmingham, all plastic containers (other than hard plastic caps) are accepted; all papers, paperback books, mail, newspapers, magazines, and phone books can, and should be, recycled; clear, brown, blue, and green glass bottles; cardboard; household batteries, secured in a clear bag; shredded paper, placed in a see-through plastic bag; empty metal cans, small scrap metal objects and large metal items such as grills, bicycles, lawn mowers, washers, dryers, and water heaters.

Residents in all three municipalities are provided with blue recycling bins, with additional bins available for purchase at each city's department of public service for a nominal fee.

In Bloomfield Township, Tom Trice, director of public works, said they require recycling of paper, metals, glass, and plastics, but “people do not need to separate their recycling. People just need to put

everything in their recycling bins, and put them at the curb for pick up. We use a single stream system, which is where everything is separated at the material recovery facility.”

In a single stream system, all recyclables for collection are mixed but kept separate from other waste. This reduces the need for post-collection cleaning, but residents have to be well-informed as to what materials are accepted for recycling.

Trice said Bloomfield Township uses Rizzo Services in Sterling Heights for all trash and recycling services. Residents in Bloomfield Township are not taxed for waste service collection, but pay Rizzo directly for garbage, composting, recycling, and bulk pick up items. Trice said the fee is approximately $45 a household per quarter.

Rizzo Services has been Bloomfield Township's provider since 2004. According to Rizzo, they are the largest private hauler in southeastern Michigan, and have been in operation for over 35 years. The company says it collects and recycles 24 million pounds of recycling each year, and that they have a big advantage by using a single/dual stream recycling sorting system, which Trice explained means that when their garbage trucks have been emptied, they can pick up all recyclables at one time without separate sorting. Rizzo then takes the truck to their material recovery facility, where they sort the recycled materials.

Rizzo said that because they do not own a landfill, they are fully dedicated to recycling, and put far less into landfills.

“It's a win-win system, for residents and for Rizzo,” said Trice. He said the cost of Rizzo doing the sorting is worked into the fee collection cost. loomfield Hills residents chose a few years ago to maintain individual contracts with waste hauling contractors, some of whom come directly into their garage to retrieve their garbage, lawn refuse and recyclables. Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens said residents can contract one of the eight trash haulers the city has licensed as an appropriate city vendor.

“We demand a safety test and can they remove refuse, where they must offer recycling services to residents,” Cravens said. “Our ordinance requires that a license for all waste haulers, which is $150. I concentrate most on the safety of the trash vehicles, because I don't want unsafe vehicles on our city roads.”

He said the waste haulers must accept recycling for all standard household recycling; for hazardous materials, Cravens said that in the last year, Bloomfield Hills has entered into an agreement with SOCRRA where residents can make an appointment with the facility and drop off their hazardous waste up to twice a year. In their first month

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of use, August 2011, 14 households dropped off items, which included old computers, dried paint, paint thinners, and other household objects. For that, Bloomfield Hills paid SOCRRA $420.

Since that first month, the range of usage of Bloomfield Hills residents has spanned from 19 in November and December 2011, for a cost of $570 each month, to just two, in March 2012, which cost Bloomfield Hills $60. In June 2012, the last month for which there are figures, 14 households dropped of items at SOCRRA. SOCRRA said Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills residents can make an appointment with them by calling 248.288.5153 or by going on their website to schedule a time to drop off electronic equipment and hazardous household equipment.

Hazardous waste includes household products that have corrosive, toxic, or reactive ingredients, such as rodent poisons, paints, batteries, electronics, cleaners, fluorescent lightbulbs, and thermometers. They said they accept toner and ink jet cartridges, household cleaners, garden chemicals, insulin syringes, oils, solvents, paint thinners, and house paint that has been allowed to dry out.

Birmingham residents receive curbside recycling along with their weekly garbage pickup; the service is included as part of their property taxes. As a member of SOCCRA, Birmingham residents who recycle are required to separate their recyclables. Newspapers, catalogs and magazines are requested to be put in a paper bag before going in the recycling bin. Junk mail, office paper, construction paper, telephone books and paperback books are all accepted in the recycling

bins, although hardcover books must go to the SOCRRA drop off center.

What SOCCRA won't accept, which other municipalities will, are greasy pizza boxes—if they're clean and not greasy, they'll take them. All other boxes must be unfolded, flattened, and bundled together with twine or tape.

“Of what we receive, 98 percent of what we get gets recycled,” said McKeen. “We're able to recycle all of that. I could actually double that if I had that coming in. In the last few years, waste materials have become more valuable to sell than to recycle. We have done a sampling of people's trash, and we know that about 30 percent more could have been recycled. For example, newspapers historically have been one of the biggest things we've recycled, but people are reading less newspapers now, so we're getting less.” cKeen said that from their survey observations, 56 per cent of Birmingham households recycled in 2008 and 54 percent of households participated in 2009.

Twenty-four percent of Birmingham residents do not recycle at all.

“Birmingham does a good job of recycling, but a lot more people could be recycling in Birmingham and there is a lot of material in the trash that could have been recycled,” he said. “For our most recent fiscal year, which ended on June 30, Birmingham generated 440 pounds of recycling per household per year. This was significantly more than the average of 296 pounds per household per year for all 12 SOCRRA

M

communities, but significantly less than Huntington Woods, which generated 811 pounds per household per year.”

SOCCRA can process 100 tons of recyclables a day during an eight-hour shift, or 26,000 tons per year.

Rizzo Services did not return calls to determine the percentage of Bloomfield Township's population which recycles.

Ultimately, SOCCRA's Birmingham data shows that about half of the local population is recycling, which is good, but not great. Currently, 82 million tons of materials are recycled in the United States, which is a 100 percent increase in total in the last ten years. But that is only 32 percent of the U.S.'s waste. Each individual produces 4.6 pounds of trash per day. That's a lot of garbage.

Recycling is easy. Toss the newspaper, magazines, and especially all of the catalogs you get in the mail, when you're done with them. Drop the milk jugs, shampoo containers, and particularly all of those plastic bags from the grocery store into the recycling bin. Bloomfield Township notes that only 1-12 percent of plastic bags are recycled each year, but that it takes 1,000 years for polyethylene bags to break down.

“Plastic bags are non-biodegradable, contribute to litter, are made from non-renewable resources, and can harm animals and birds than can become entangled in or choke on the bags. It is with this in mind that Bloomfield Township suggests using alternative containers when appropriate and always properly disposing of unwanted plastic bags,” their web site instructs.

So, go green. It's simple, and the rewards last a long time.

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DOWNTOWN

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS NEW CONSTRUCTION DESIGNED BY ALEXANDER BOGAERTS ON ~ 1.55 ACRES IN PRESTIGIOUS CLARENDON CREST WITH ~ 8,000 SQ FT OF LUXURY LIVING. ~ $2,899,000

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FACES

Barak Leibovitz

E

ntrepreneur Barak Leibovitz began his first business venture at the age of 10, running a lemonade stand on a golf course and selling refreshments to golfers.

He began collecting golf balls from the woods near his home in Bloomfield Hills and selling them back to the golfers who had hit them. A Detroit Country Day graduate, he later installed candy dispensers around Ann Arbor while attending college there.

Leibovitz has always enjoyed the freedom and creative spirit of an entrepreneur.

His newest enterprise is Seat Side Service, a novel and creative mobile phone application that will enhance sporting experiences for consumers.

“I initially came up with the idea at a Tigers game at Comerica Park when I couldn't find a vendor and wanted something delivered to my seat. I didn't want to wait in an outrageous line during a great game and miss a home run. I didn't understand why it wasn't already incorporated,” he said. The app will allow food and beverages to be ordered and delivered to seats at local sporting and entertainment events.

Working in Hong Kong as an intern and analyst for two summers, he developed the idea during down time at the office.

As a psychology student at the University of Michigan, Leibovitz was accepted to Tech Arb, a business accelerator in Ann Arbor that helped foster his entrepreneurial spirit.

When he filed for an official L.L.C. in January of 2012, his attorney told him that luxury food delivery had already been tried.

Yet he had faith in his idea and believed it would succeed.

“I knew I couldn't just give up. You need to learn how to pivot and make sure you're still passionate about the new idea. When my attorney said it wasn't novel, I was proactive and added multiple features.” He added an umbrella of new facets from detailed venue information to interactive trivia and merchandising.

While still early in his career, he's extremely proud of the progress he's already made. “A lot of people talk about starting different things, but they never materialize. In one year, I've gone from having an idea to creating some tangible,” he said. “People don’t always take you seriously when you're so young and it's difficult to come across as a professional without a corporate track record.”

Leibovitz has learned first-hand that managing a growing company provides more responsibilities than the average 22-yearold experiences, but he’s lucky to have had the support of many family members and friends.

His long-term goals include becoming the successful CEO of something much larger than the initial idea for Seat Side Service, as well as pursing real estate development as a broker for his family’s firm. Between his interest in international business and his ambitious personality, in 10 years, it's hard to imagine where he'll be found.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

NANCI J. RANDS & MEREDITH COLBURN

Recognized Leaders In Residential Real Estate Nanci NEW LISTING

Birmingham $1,150,000

Bloomfield $1,149,000

Bloomfield $2,995,000

Bloomfield $3,750,000

Impeccable 2003 built Home in the Poppleton Park area.

Spacious with a flowing layout. Wide crown moldings and cherry floors. Gourmet island Kitchen open to Family Room and stone fireplace. Handsome two-story cherry paneled Library. Outstanding Master Suite includes a marble fireplace, skylit dressing area, huge closet and private Office. Elevator. 3 car garage.

Breathtaking views of Kirk in the Hills, with 136' Island Lake frontage on nearly 2 secluded acres with a gated entrance highlighted by a fountain. Beautiful 2009 updated walk-out Ranch offers an open floor plan. 1st Floor Master. Lower Level walk-out. Terrace overlooks Dock and sweeping lawn. Generator. Home lovely as is, with incredible opportunity to expand.

This historic property overlooking Wing Lake was restored and expanded in 2001 to extraordinary elegance and functionality. Over 6,000 sq. ft. with an additional 4,000 sq. ft. in a beautifully finished Lower Level. 3 Bedrooms, 5 Full and 2 Half Baths. Grand entry Foyer with domed rotunda. Wine Cellar. 1st floor Master Suite with fieldstone fireplace and Sitting Room.

Prominently gracing the North shore of Wing Lake, this outstanding 2000 built New England-style stone and cedar home is beyond compare. Over 10,000 sq. ft. of elegance and style in architecture and quality. 2-story Living Room. Fabulous walk-out with Fitness Area and additional entertainer’s Kitchen. 6 Bedrooms including a private apartment. 6 full and 2 half Baths.

BUILDING SITES

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Bloomfield Lakefront $3,250,000 to $6,800,000

Spectacular sites on the East shore of Turtle Lake from 1.6 acres to 4 acres, in the premier gated community of Turtle Lake.

Birmingham Lakefront $899,000 Last remaining vacant site directly on Quarton Lake.

Frontage and long views of the lake, park and waterfall. Walk-out site may accommodate up to a 9,000 sq. ft. residence on three levels.

Bloomfield Lakefront $789,000 Beautiful wide lakefront acre site located on Gilbert Lake. Site will accommodate a walk-out.

Bloomfield $296,000

Wooded 1.37 acre site in Gilbert Lake area. Newer construction in area with million dollar plus homes. Home on property to be removed by buyer.

Bloomfield $799,000

Franklin $585,000

Bloomfield $725,000

Stately and pristine Transitional Home updated in 2011.

Gracious 2-story foyer. Formal Dining Room. Oak Library with built-ins. 2-story Living Room with marble fireplace.

Gourmet island Kitchen and Breakfast Area open to Sun Room. 1st floor Master Suite. 3 additional Bedroom Suites. Lower Level walk-out with Family Room, Exercise Room and more.

Magnificently sited Ranch on 1.16 acres overlooking Franklin Hills Country Club. 5,700 square feet. Farmington Hills with Franklin mailing address. Transitional elegance, perfect for updating or expansion. 4 Bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half Baths. Wide marble Foyer. Fireplaced Living Room, large Family Room and paneled Library all offer great views and access to terrace. 3 car garage.

146' frontage on Gilbert Lake offers 1.21 landscaped acres and sunset views. A meticulously maintained updated Ranch with finished walk-out Lower Level.

3 Bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half Baths. Skylit marble entry. Beautiful wood floors. Outstanding Master Suite with large walk-in closet and 2 newer private Baths. 4 seasons porch. Tiered decking.

Nanci J. Rands 248.701.9000

www.RandsColburn.com

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Meredith Colburn 248.762.5319

NANCI J. RANDS & MEREDITH COLBURN

Client Service Excellence...

Proven Results Meredith NEW LISTING

Bloomfield $3,450,000

Bloomfield $2,250,000

Bloomfield $1,545,000

Franklin $4,250,000

An incomparable Post Modern Masterpiece on 3.3 wooded acres. Sophisticated and functional living spaces.

Upper Level is a private Master retreat and includes a three-room Office. Finished walk-out Lower Level.

4 car garage. Pool and clay Tennis Court. A one-of-akind residence that is spectacular in daylight and when illuminated at night.

Experience understated elegance and warmth throughout this inviting hilltop Estate in the City of Bloomfield Hills.

Situated on 1.77 sweeping acres with private Pool, illuminated Tennis Court and expansive paver terrace.

5 Bedrooms, 5 full and 1 half Baths. Outstanding country Kitchen with Wine Cellar, Breakfast and Sitting Areas. 3 car garage. Lower Level walk-out.

Fabulous 2000 addition and complete renovation of a classic Bloomfield Village Home on a picturesque acre.

5 Bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half Baths. Granite Kitchen with center island opens to Breakfast Area and Family Room, all overlooking rear grounds. 1st Floor Bedroom used as Library. Spectacular Lower Level with Theatre, Bar and Rec Room. Oversized 2.5 car garage.

Exceptional 2001 Tringali-designed English Tudor replica on 2.48 acres in Franklin Village. Gated drive opens to views of the slate roofed home with pond, fountain and arched walkways. Over 10,000 sq. ft. of luxury with 4 Bedroom Suites, 4 full and 3 half Baths. Lower Level with Wine Cellar and Tasting Room. 2 heated garages with capacity for 8 cars.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Bloomfield $345,000

West Bloomfield $949,000

Bloomfield $795,000

Bloomfield $749,000

Fabulous Transitional Home on 2/3 of an acre. Updated and neutral with 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths. Newer Cook’s Kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Outstanding Master Suite with vaulted ceilings, large walk-in closet and spacious Bath. Wonderful living and entertaining spaces. Newer windows. Hardwood floors. Generator.

Move right in!

Outstanding Home on All-Sports Pine Lake. Complete 1995 remodel. Entertainer’s dream inside and out.

Gourmet Kitchen opens to Dining, Living and Family Rooms. Lakefront Master Suite with 2-way fireplace, Sitting Area and spa-like marble Bath. 2 garages with 6 car capacity. 2-story Boat house. Bloomfield Hills schools.

Quality updated and beautifully maintained Soft Contemporary, 4 Bedroom custom Ranch. Main living area is over 4,000 sq. ft. Newer Kitchen with casual Eating Area. Stunning Living Room and Family Room with fireplace and wet bar. Master Suite with walk-in closet, extensive built-in wardrobes and luxurious Bath. Wall of windows overlooks center, open-air courtyard.

Fabulous Transitional Colonial in the heart of Bloomfield Village. Extensive updates. 4 Bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half Baths. Stunning Living Room with granite fireplace. State-of-the-art granite island Kitchen opens to Breakfast Area and Family Room with backyard and patio views. Outstanding Master Suite with Sitting Area, walk-in closet and spa-like Bath.

Nanci J. Rands 248.701.9000

www.RandsColburn.com

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Meredith Colburn 248.762.5319

442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

OUR PAST PERFORMANCE IS YOUR GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS

Your Hometown Realtors for Over Five Decades of Combined Service Lynn Baker

Deby Gannes

248.379.3000

248.379.3003

lbaker@hallandhunter.com

dgannes@hallandhunter.com

Associate Broker

Rich

Realtor

LynnandDeby.com

Oakland Township $814,900

Washington Township $764,900

Oakland Township $834,900

Popular Provincial Model with all the upgrades. Meticulously maintained to perfection with 4,300 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and 2 lavs. Hardwood floors, solid wood doors, library with built ins, kitchen/breakfast room opens to 2 story great room with fireplace, oversize laundry, master with extra large walk in closets plus finished walkout. Very private heavily treed yard with deck and paver patio.

GOO212074465

Premier lot backing to twin ponds and across the street from 18th hole of Orchards Golf Course. Tringali designed ranch with every upgrade imaginable: volume ceilings, extensive crown, travertine floors +++. Private master with fireplace plus 4 bedrooms, 5 baths and 1 lav. Finished walkout with full bar, kitchen, theatre, bath, family room and storage. In ground pool with cabana, 3 car heated garage with unfinished apartment above. PON212071943

Gated, private, custom built one of a kind on 2.6 acres with resort style pool. 4,362 sq.ft. with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and 2 lavs. Circular drive, 3 tiered decks and multiple perennial gardens. French doors off great room and dining room open to scenic decks. Hardwood floors, paneled library, extensive crown molding, oversized laundry and too many additional custom features. Finished walk out with family room, bedroom, bath and garden room. ABB212046344

Oakland Township $774,900

Rochester $469,900

Horse lover’s paradise on 5.7 acres. Home totally redone in 2003 with every custom feature and detail. 5,320 sq. ft. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2 lavs. Plus private entry 1 bedroom apartment/au pair suite (900 sq.ft.) with living room, fireplace, dining room, laundry, kitchen and bath. Finished walkout, oversize 4 car heated garage, decks and paver patios overlooking barn with stalls for 5 horses, 4 corrals and round pen. BUE212063006

Beautifully appointed 1st floor master with open floor plan. Second floor with 2 bedroom suites and open library with bookcases. Gourmet kitchen with granite and hardwood floors opens to family room and breakfast room with limestone fireplace and French doors overlooking private treed yard with wrap around deck. Volume ceilings and walls of windows. Finished walkout, circular drive and perennial gardens.

STO212068856

Rochester Hills $774,900

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

4,766 sq.ft. with wooded privacy. Home sits high with a welcoming circular drive. Oversized gourmet kitchen with keeping room (19x12), fireplace and breakfast room. Master suite with sitting area, Jack and Jill plus private suite up. Finished walkout with 5th bedroom, bath, family room, fireplace, bar, game area and kitchen. All hand milled molding, 2x6 construction and many upgrades.

Mahogany deck and brick paver patio. Car lovers dream 5+ car garage with central vac, insulated doors and plumbed for water. SCE212047657

442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

THE PERROTTA REAL ESTATE TEAM Two generations, 39 years combined experience and one goal: Educated Buyers & Sellers = Results!

Dorothy Perrotta

Michael Perrotta

248.217.7222

248.672.0494

dperrotta@hallandhunter.com

mperrotta@hallandhunter.com

Associate Broker

Realtor

perrottarealestate.com

Rich

Burt Lake $1,150,000 Build your dream retreat in Northern Lower Michigan! Two adjoining lakefront lots on Burt Lake, a 27 square mile all sports lake which is part of Michigan’s inland waterway. Wooded lots with 340 ft. & 578 ft. of sandy bottom lake frontage. Lots can be sold separately or sold as one parcel.

On a paved road with natural gas & electricity at property line.

Troy $173,500 Birmingham schools. Great curb appeal in this 3 bedroom brick ranch. Large great room with sound system speakers. Enjoy the park-like setting from the Florida room or the paver brick patio. Additional updates include new central air, newer slate foyer, roof, hot water heater and electrical. Separate storage room plus a floored attic over the garage.

PENDING

PENDING

Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield

Extensively renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo with over 2,500 square feet. Open floor plan with spacious rooms, chef’s kitchen, breakfast room, 1st floor laundry, attached garage and a full basement.

Newer hardwood floors and imported handmade Italian tile in the foyer. All bathrooms have been renovated including new plumbing. Newer windows with wood blinds and shutters.

Lakefront living in one of the best locations in The Hills. This exceptional home embodies the best of contemporary and traditional with an open floor plan, high ceilings and walls of windows overlooking Minnow Lake. Chef’s kitchen with limestone counters, first floor master suite plus two additional bedroom suites. Newer cedar roof, decks, paver brick driveway and flagstone patios.

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

38

DOWNTOWN

08.12

COMMUNITY PROFILE:

ROYAL OAK BIG CITY, SMALL TOWN

BY HAYLEY BEITMAN

R

oyal Oak, as its name suggests, has been known as "the city of trees" for over a century, when it was once lined with a canopy of large oak trees. With a great deal of community pride and labor, Royal Oak has been transformed from a swampy small town into the vibrant city it is today. Royal Oak thrives in all facets, from its beautiful landscape to its bustling downtown.

The city of Royal Oak has had a more independent history because originally its undesirable land was not conducive to development. The city's name was first suggested for the land in 1938, when 60 acorns from trees in England were imported to

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DOWNTOWN

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the Detroit Zoological Park and eventually transferred and planted in the city's Memorial Park. According to Karen Crawford, Historical Commission Chairperson, “Urban legend is that Lewis Cass, the first governor of Michigan, came to Oakland County in 1819 and said, the majestic oak tree at Main Street, Rochester and Crooks was 'truly a royal oak' because it saved King Charles as he was being pursued during the Battle of Worcester.”

Trees have always been an integral part of the city. Royal Oak had its own tree committee by 1936, and since 1976, has received the National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA award every year. The community has remained actively involved with tree planting and landscape enhancement programs, which is evident from the abundance of well-groomed trees and magnificent bright flowers surrounding the city's streets.

In landmass, Royal Oak covers 11.8 square miles of Oakland County, with 4,857 people per square mile. Royal Oak’s mixture of wetlands, marsh, and forest once supported the Red Run river, which was an important factor in farming and agriculture, the livelihood of the area's early settlers. The river was a crucial component for transportation and development, but during the 1920s it was buried and turned into a drainpipe. The increase in useable land in the area made way for over 50 public parks with two pristine natural reserves, two nine-hole public golf courses, Royal Oak Golf Club and Normandy Oaks, Royal Oak Family Golf Center, and Red Run Golf Club, featuring a private 18-hole golf course.

In 1900, Royal Oak had less than 500 residents; since it has made tremendous strides in urban growth, becoming the 27th largest city in population in Michigan, and the eighth largest in Oakland County. As of the 2010 census, Royal Oak has a population of 57,236 people, down 4.7 percent from its population of 60,062 people in 2000. The city's population has a racial and ethnic composition of 89.1 percent white; 4.3 percent African American; 2.4 percent Asian; 2.3 percent Hispanic or Latino; 1.9 percent reporting two or more races; and 0.3 percent is Native American.

In 2000, the age distribution of the population showed that people in their early 20s constituted 5.6 percent; residents in the mid-20s to mid-30s comprised 21.2 percent; people in their mid-30s to mid-40s made up 17.6 percent of Royal Oak; people in their mid-40s to mid-50s comprised 13.6 percent.

The level of education attained

by Royal Oak’s population in 2003 looked like this: 91.5 percent completed high school; 68.6 percent of residents completed some college, with 46.2 percent of the population having an associate's degree; 39.9 percent has a bachelor's degree; 14 percent has a master's degree; 3.8 percent has a professional degree; and .8 percent has a doctorate.

For an average household size of two people, the median household income from 2006 to 2010 was $60,184, and the median value of housing units in the city was $177,300. Royal Oak's housing statistics show that in 2000, the

population was equally split between family and non-family households; married couples account for 39.9 percent of family households and householders living alone account for 40.8 percent of non-family households.

Growth and development The success of the auto industry and creation of highways contributed to Royal Oak’s economic success. It's central growth was as an inner ring suburb to Detroit, as some decided to stretch out beyond the city of Detroit's limits and settle down amidst its leafy streets and bucolic downtown area.

According to city manager Donald E. Johnson, “Royal Oak is by far dominated by residential, but a lot of people don't think of it that way.

Royal Oak is really known for its downtown, but downtown is a relatively small part of the city.

Most of the value is in residential, probably the better part of 80 percent. Singles and couples without children are more interested in being able to walk to a restaurant or entertainment than they are with having a home in the country.” In addition to the city's residential areas, Johnson says the business district on Woodward is largely ignored, or under appreciated.

“We've been going through a recessionary period, but Royal Oak has done much better than most communities because we haven't lost as much of our property values,” Johnson said. “The biggest hits to property are when people buy big houses beyond their means. Royal Oak doesn't have a lot of (those) large houses; we do have high-end expensive condos, but not in huge quantities and it’s not the bulk of our housing stock.

The bulk is modest homes on modest lots that weren't the type that took the huge losses.”

Steady property values, above national average incomes, and a relatively large population are telling of Royal Oak's success as a city today. Royal Oak mayor Jim Ellison agrees. “Home values are holding well. We anticipated a 4 percent drop and only saw a 1.5 percent drop. Obviously every community decreased but ours was not as much as we expected. This year so far we've issued permits for 50 brand new homes,” compared to 29 total last year, Ellison said.

Big city. Small town. The best of both worlds. That probably best describes Royal Oak's winning combination of big city excitement and small town character, offering a rich cultural experience within an easily walkable area, and the walkability of Main Street is what makes downtown the true heart of Royal Oak. The conveniences of the city and downtown area have become sought after by young professionals looking for a metropolitan lifestyle. Royal Oak accommodates young entrepreneurs in its cosmopolitan downtown area as well as families who are looking for the safety and simplicity of suburbia.

However, Ellison says the city can only do so much to accommodate the growing number of people who want to come to Royal Oak for business or residential.

“People come from everywhere. Just sit down on a Friday and Saturday and you'd be amazed at the volume of people you just don't see that anywhere else.

Though it’s a small town, its big in the sense of how people bond to the town and feel a sense of ownership,” said historical commission chair Crawford.

Historically, the Washington Square Building, built in 1928, opened the gates to other major developments like the Royal Oak Music Theatre and the Detroit Zoo. Now used for office space, the building first served as Royal Oak’s main hospital before 1955 when the William Beaumont Hospital and Health System opened on West Thirteen Mile Road. Ellison said, “The recent repopulation of the Washington Square building has changed the character of Royal Oak and brought more residents downtown. People are living, working, eating and shopping downtown. It's changed the dynamic of how downtown functions, which was unique for the area and more like Chicago or New York, with people actually living downtown.”

Desirable housing options are part of Royal Oak's appeal. High-rise condominiums and contemporary lofts have increased Royal Oak’s housing options while more moderate homes on tree-lined streets have kept it recession-proof. Since the economic downturn, numerous residential developments have helped the area pick up and continue to thrive, including The Fifth Royal Oak, which became the city's tallest building when its eighteens stories were constructed in 2007. Others housing complexes like Main North Lofts, SkyLofts, Urbane Apartments and Troy Street Lofts have also survived the difficult times unscathed.

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Besides lofts, restaurants and entertainment have been an avenue of economic growth for the city over the last decade. The $20 million dollar Emagine Theater and Star Lanes complex has been warmly welcomed and has brought countless numbers of people to the downtown area. Upcoming restaurants in the downtown area, like distillery Jolly Pumpkin and Greek KouZina, hope to up the hot factor for the already cool atmosphere of the city.

For over a century, nightlife has been present in Royal Oak's downtown, but only recently has it become Royal Oak’s claim to fame and draw in terms of business. According to Johnson, the restaurant and nightlife scene has developed principally over the last 20 years. “Royal Oak has gone through phases. During the 1940s and 1950s, downtown had the types of stores that just served the needs of its neighbors. By the 1970s and 1980s, Royal Oak had a decayed downtown, and a lot of antique shops came in looking for low rent.

When the restaurant boom took off, it started getting more expensive and those places started leaving. The stores that do well play off of entertainment.

Most people don't come downtown looking for a drugstore or hardware store.”

The gradual shift towards appealing to a more exclusive and upscale crowd has increased friendly competition between restaurants, entertainment and stores, according to Johnson.

While many businesses quickly come and go, with the downtown area having seen a high turnover of small, quirky boutiques, antique shops and small restaurants in recent years, Johnson said he believes the most significant developments are the ones that have a long-term impact on the city. Residents can look forward to an upcoming project, as the Sagamore Motor Lodge on Woodward becomes a four-story business class hotel that aims to serve Beaumont. Also in the works is a potential $50 million, 100,000 square foot Detroit Medical Center and Vanguard Health Systems medical facility, funds and space permitting.

Chamber of Commerce President Howard H. Collens said he is seeing recovery in many different ways, through new businesses and expansions as Royal Oak continues to make progress in finding a good balance between residential and business. Often, because of the city's centralized downtown area, Royal Oak’s industrial segment can get overlooked.

“People come to Royal Oak because of its neighborhoods, the downtown and the activity from it. Royal Oak is a big place, and the reassertion of the industrial sector near Fourteen Mile Road and Coolidge is pretty significant.

People don't think of it because it's not sexy like restaurants and bars, but in terms of solid business, it's important,” according to Collens.

Education, transportation, cultural institutions Also affected by the economy, the Royal Oak School District has undergone drastic changes in the past few years. A $60 million bond approval in 2006 helped combine the city's two public high schools into one, called Royal Oak High School, and the two middle schools merged into Royal Oak Middle School. Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin said, “The merge was due to experiencing a declining enrollment because of the community demographics, such as smaller families and an aging community. One high school helps us to draw closer as a community and have a strong sense of identify for all of our DOWNTOWN

08.12

schools. Our primary goal is to increase student learning everyday, and (building) renovations are secondary.”

Approximately 815 employees and 5,200 Pre-K through 12 students were directly affected by the district's consolidation. Private schools in the area, such as Shrine Catholic Schools, St. Mary's Catholic School, St. Dennis School, St. Paul Lutheran School and Calvary Christian School were not. Nor was the city’s campus of Oakland Community College, which educates 6,000 students daily.

The city boasts other educational institutions, such as the Royal Oak Public Library, which was founded in 1852, and the Detroit Zoo, which opened in 1928. The zoo, a 125-acre facility owned by the city of Detroit and home to nearly 2,000 animals, is one of southeastern Michigan's leading attractions, bringing one million visitors to the city each year and annually contributing $75 million dollars to Michigan's economy. Royal Oak also offers children and adults Grand Slam Baseball Training Center, Total Soccer's indoor dome, and the John Lindell Ice Arena with two indoor skating rinks.

The Royal Oak Farmers Market and its hundreds of vendors have been supporting Royal Oak's celebrated food scene every Friday, Saturday and Sunday since 1927, selling local in-season produce, fresh fruit, home-baked goods, and farm-raised eggs, meats, milk and cheese. Its annual Oktoberfest party helped raise money to fund a much needed $1.3 million dollar renovation in 2006. It is a destination for residents as well as visitors from around the county, and the Sunday Flea Market is a must for treasure seekers.

Royal Oak's police and fire departments work to preserve a safe community and have helped maintain a below average crime rate, which was 69.6 percent of the national average in 2008. Royal Oak Interim Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said although overall crime is down in recent years, they have seen an increase in select crimes like larceny.

“Our department has been cut nearly 40 percent in the past five to six years. It's a skeleton of a crew, but the city is committed to building the department back up,” he said. Mayor Ellison attributes the problem to Royal Oak’s lack of funds. Ellison noted downtown parking alone translated into about $2 million, which can fund 23 additional police officers (almost 35 percent of the police force), to reach the 79 total officers for which O'Donohue is hoping. Other municipal departments include parks and forestry, public service and recreation.

Transportation is always an important part in any city’s history, and the disappearance of the Red Run river early on changed the dynamics of trade and brought up the question of possible new development. The extension of I-696 and Woodward brought invaluable business to the already thriving city, as well as Ferndale and Birmingham. “It put Royal Oak in the position of two major expressways and made it easy to get from Royal Oak to anywhere else in the metropolitan area,” city manager Johnson said. “We're in a better position than other southeast communities in terms of transportation, but we still have a lot of people with no access to automobiles or areas where automobiles aren't convenient.” One solution is the Royal Oak Transit Center, which serves the city's public bus system SMART and provides daily transportation to and from Detroit, Pontiac and Chicago through the Amtrak's Wolverine line. Transit development along Woodward has been heavily discussed, and Transform Woodward was formed in 2010 to tackle this issue, as was the Woodward Avenue Action Association. A world famous classic car celebration, the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, attracts over one million spectators every August and passes through Royal Oak on its 16mile stretch of Woodward Avenue.

During the day, art galleries and studios are principal parts of Royal Oak's culturally diverse community and it's downtown. Local galleries like Ariana, Creative Arts Studio of Royal Oak, and 323East Gallery showcase their avant-garde work in their studio as well as at festivals and community events like the annual art fair at Memorial Park. According to city manager assistant Stewart Meek, Royal Oak will soon welcome six high-quality reproductions from the Detroit Institute of Art for its Inside Out program, which installs reproductions of paintings from inside the DIA to various outdoor locations.

Restaurants have primarily dominated Royal Oak’s downtown in the past, but mayor Ellison says that may be changing. “We are trying to work on ways to get a more diverse crowd. We'd like to see more retail, but we need the cooperation of restaurants. Retailers have a tendency not to be open at night and that's when people come into town. Retailers that do well are usually the ones that are open late.” Lively restaurants and alluring cafes embrace and encourage patrons to sit out on the sidewalks. The numerous public benches throughout downtown allow visitors to rest their feet, or call “Bikeshaw Sean” Paraventi and his rickshaw taxi service for a ride. downtownpublications.com

DOWNTOWN

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Royal Oak walks the line between its more conventional side with longtime favorites like Red Coat Tavern and Barnes and Noble, and an edgier side with unique retail boutiques like Noir Leather. The multifarious dining options are peppered with many offbeat and eclectic establishments like Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music, Paint Party Royal Oak, Drag Queen Bingo at Five15, and vintage store Paris. One constant between most areas of retail are window shops and inviting storefronts.

The city's grid of streets appears calm during the day, but at night the city is transformed into a sea of activity. The nightlife venues are endless, with options from alternative dance clubs like LUNA, casual rooftop bars like Woody's Diner, sports bars like Fifth Avenue Billiards and Mr.B’s, and ritzier fusion restaurants like Ronin Sushi.

Royal Oak restaurant owners like Carrie O'Neill from the Rock on Third strive to provide a price point for everyone. As the president of the Royal Oak Restaurant Association, O'Neill says they originally convened to strengthen the hospitality industry and support the community. “We have a fun competitive sense but we all work together to help each other out and drive business to the downtown area.”

Any artistic community would not be complete without an array of traditional entertainment venues. City manager Johnson says over the last 20 years, the reinvigoration of downtown has developed it as an entertainment destination more so than any other community in Michigan.

One of the most historically predominant theaters in Oakland County, Royal Oak Music Theatre, has been around since 1928, featuring movies, comedy, live music and concerts, and musical and dance productions. First owned by Detroit native John H. Kunsky and then Worldwide Entertainment, it set a high standard for entertainment venues all over Michigan.

Another leading Royal Oak venue will celebrate its fifty-seventh season this summer. The Baldwin Theatre, built in 1932, became host of the theater group Stagecrafters in 1985 when they moved from Clawson. Established shortly after the Baldwin, the Main Art Theatre has been in Royal Oak since the 1940s, playing foreign and independent motion pictures. The Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra and Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle are two other performance spots with different focuses, each seeking to have an impact on Royal Oak’s community.

Royal Oak's Chamber of Commerce has been a main force in maintaining a sense of business and culture in the community. Out of 68 annual events, Royal Oak in Bloom, the Clay, Glass and Metal Show and the Annual Antique & Garage Sale have a combined history of over 75 years in Royal Oak. “We beautify the area with bloom, give families something fun to do with the garage sale, and get cultural with the clay, glass and metal show,” Director of Events Jennifer Clark said. The events singlehandedly bring over 30,000 people downtown and connect the business and community aspects together. “People say we are all about business but business is all about people. People like coming to Royal Oak and they like supporting local businesses. It's different than anything you can find in a strip mall. We really like to be different and unique.”

Arts, Beats & Eats will celebrate its fifteenth year this Labor Day weekend in downtown Royal Oak. Royal Oak had the opportunity to save the beloved metro Detroit tradition in 2009 and the festival’s $40 million dollar impact became an economic boost to the region as well. In December 2009, the family-themed event moved from its former location in Pontiac to downtown Royal Oak and saw its most successful year, raising $350,000 for local charities. Mayor Ellison said its event chairs approached Royal Oak for the move because of the culturally diverse community and reputation for art. The event brings 400,000 people together through a unique presentation of artists, musicians and cuisine from all over Michigan and the country.

The Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has supported the city’s economic growth in many ways, including an annual contribution of $100,000 to Arts, Beats & Eats. The DDA was formed to promote and secure Royal Oak’s central business district and its merchants through economic development. It’s infamous shop, dine, play and reside slogan has helped increase the viability of the city and led to major improvements of the Baldwin Theatre, Washington Square Building, Woodward Avenue and I-696.

Another event taking place in downtown Royal Oak this fall, the AIDS Walk Detroit, will begin and end at the farmers market. The 5k walkathon annually raises funds to support HIV and AIDS in the Detroit area and hopes to raise over $200,000 this year.

Whether you’re taking a stroll down Main Street or cheering on the Royal Oak Ravens, the energy is evident throughout the city. The once swampy home to nothing more than soil and trees has become a great place to live, work and play. Big city. Small town. One community. Royal Oak.

2011-2012

PUBLISHED BY DOWNTOWN PUBLICATIONS

CONTACT JILL CESARZ ADVERTISING MANAGER AT 248.792.6464, EXT. 600 PUBLISHED BY DOWNTOWN PUBLICATIONS

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Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Bloomfield $1,150,000 Custom Designed Colonial with many updates in the last few years. Hardwood flooring throughout and new carpeting. Large room sizes with high ceilings and wood detail. Newer furnaces, hot water heater, sump pump, generator, stove top, refrigerator and granite counter top! Lovely landscaping, pool with brick patio and deck. Four car garage. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212066746.

Bloomfield $849,000 Custom designed, one owner home in Chestnut Run. Private Street. Great family home! First floor master suite with spacious master bath and private room off master suite. Lovely landscaped back yard with pond, deck and brick patio. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 211114274.

Ronni Keating

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Birmingham $3,275,000 Stunning custom in-town residence is the epitome of style and sophistication. Offering over 9,000 square footage of functional living space with details that exceed expectations. Sumptuous master suite, gourmet kitchen (as featured in a national publication as a "dream kitchen") finished lower level, elevator and loft space. Four Bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 212001452

Endicott Lake Frontage $995,000

Bloomfield Hills $875,000

Spectacular setting awaits your dream home in Bloomfield Hills. Over one acre lakefront site is one of the very best, offering gorgeous vistas and privacy. Site is ample and can accommodate an amazing home. Plans are developed and approved already for a stunning residence. Moments to downtown Birmingham and offering Birmingham schools. This is your dream site! Price is for land only. 212061535

Wonderful opportunity to own a PRIME piece of land in the HEART of the City of Bloomfield Hills. This lot is beautiful! Lots of trees, on 2.53 acres, give it a very "tucked away" feeling. What a fantastic site to build your dream home! 212017698

Sara Lipnitz

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Franklin Village $1,750,000 Custom built home on 1.5 acre lot providing much privacy and serenity overlooking the wooded lot and beautiful gardens. This impeccable home shows like brand new, is high quality throughout, and constructed with high standards. Finished walkout lower level with kitchen, bar, 2,000 bottle wine cellar, exercise room, theater room, and two bedrooms. Multiple furnaces and air conditioning with zoned heating. Heated garage. Six bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 212063242

Oakland Township $2,450,000

Birmingham $575,000

Beautifully tucked within 7+ acres of Oakland Township grandeur. This spacious European Country House has premium appointments and highend detailing throughout. Lovely guest quarters is complete with chefs kitchen. Nature, wildlife and ultimate tranquility are hallmarks of this magnificent estate. Beautifully developed outdoor areas include gorgeous porch and patios. Six bedrooms with 9.3 baths. 212054504

Truly a rare opportunity is within this wonderful Willits West Condominium. It is privately located at the bottom of Willits hill and backs to a glorious wooded backdrop. This Luchenbach mid-century contemporary is the ideal downtown pied-Ă -terre. It features 2 bedrooms, 4 baths, a walkout lower level, 2 car attached garage, extensive patio areas, and much convenience. 212076865

Mike Cotter & Paula Law

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Bloomfield $1,250,000 Don't miss this opportunity on this impeccably detailed designer's home. Function and beauty abound in this hill top masterpiece! Brazilian Teak hardwood floors, chef 's kitchen, sun filled breakfast nook and three fireplaces. Custom ceilings, iron staircase and built ins throughout. Master retreat with fireplace, claw foot tub, steam shower and custom closet all set on a wooded, private lot. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths.

Chef ’s Kitchen

Elegant Foyer

Family Room

Renee Lossia Acho

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Bloomfield $3,200,000 Exquisite Bloomfield Estate built by artisans from around the world. This estate home is situated on over 1.2 acres with a walkout setting. Stunning manicured grounds. The first floor has second kitchen, dining and family rooms, billiards room, sauna, steam shower, full service bar, elevator and gym.

Five fireplaces. Six car garage. A very special home. Five bedrooms with 6.1 baths. 212065164

Bloomfield $649,900

Birmingham $649,000

Classic Bloomfield Village Colonial situated on an outstanding lot on a quiet part of street! This home features a spacious master suite with private master bath and walk in closet, beautiful open living room/formal dining area with large natural fireplace, first floor office, family room with door walls to Florida Room. Hardwood floors throughout. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212076856

Sophisticated in town home expanded and renovated to offer a very open floor plan with high end finishes. The updated kitchen offers stainless appliances, contemporary cabinets and granite counters with seating open to a large dining area and family room. Master suite with cathedral ceiling, Ann Sacks tile bath and walk in closet. Large deck in extra deep back yard and fully fenced. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212071936

Cindy Obron Kahn

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Metamora $939,900 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

Metamora $899,999 Custom Country French home on ten acres in the Heart of the Hunt. High end finishes, four masonry fireplaces, living room with 18 foot ceilings.

Vaulted ceilings in master and gathering room. First floor master suite, finished lower level walkout, new custom carriage house with all high end finishes, wet bar, wood floors granite and more. House/Carriage house will accommodate seven cars. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212054864

David Busch

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Orchard Lake Frontage $3,800,000 Lakefront Estate in Private Gated Community of North Bay. 155 feet of all sports Orchard Lake frontage with panoramic views. Custom designed spectacular home and setting on three levels with magnificent views of the lake. Granite kitchen with additional prep kitchen, lower level kitchen, three story Atrium, wine cellar and sauna. Relaxing pool with manicured grounds. Five bedrooms with 6.3 baths. 212053945. Presented by Michelle Yurich

Cass Lake Frontage $1,990,000

Lake Angelus Frontage $859,900

Stunning Cass Lake home on sandy bottom of the lake! Amazing views from the entire back of home. Two story great room with entire wall of glass for views of lake complete with fireplace and wet bar. Granite kitchen with stainless steel appliances and heated floors with adjacent dining room with sliding wall of glass that leads to deck. Finished lower level walkout. Three bedrooms with four baths. 212001460. Presented by Kelly & Gerald Etue

Very well kept Ranch home with fabulous views of Lake Angelus. 2,000 square feet with an additional 1600 square footage in the finished lower level. Full deck, paver patio, stone sea wall and private road. Three fireplaces. A fine opportunity to express yourself, decorate, update or live in this superior home. Four bedrooms with four baths. 212054902.

Presented by Lee Embrey

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Bloomfield $1,595,000 Captivating interior renovation! This reconfigured floor plan is absolutely perfect. Kitchen with fireplace features Bosch, Subzero, Miele and Thermador stainless steel appliances. Romantic master suite with spa bath and fireplace. French doors lead guests from interior living spaces to beautiful brick terrace and yard. Third floor bonus room with wet bar, skylights and storage area. Expansive finished lower level. Five bedrooms with 4.3 baths.

211118114. Presented by Darlene Jackson

Bloomfield $895,000

Bloomfield $699,000

Gracious custom home in sought after Chelmsleigh. Magnificent 1.4 acre hill top property with mature trees, lovely landscaping and waterfall. Two first floor masters. Nanny's suite. Unfinished bonus space offers additional 2000 sq feet. Potential 10,000+ sq ft living space. Custom millwork throughout.

Inviting sun porch with fireplace. Marble foyer. Lower level walkout with sauna, library, kitchen, fireplace, paver patio. Appraised over $900k, June 2012.

Four bedrooms with 4.3 baths 212067636. Presented by Maureen Francis

Bloomfield Village Cul-de-sac setting with first floor master suite.

Hardwood floors throughout, den, paneled family room with fireplace off kitchen, and eat in kitchen. French doors lead out to brick patio and pool.

Three car garage. Five bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212074542.

Presented by Kathy Haack

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Oakland Township $1,350,000 Magnificent Country Estate! Majestic entrance with views of pond and nature trails surrounding property, pool and outstanding landscaping with fruit trees. Wrap-around porch with sunrise and sunset views. Pool house with full kitchen and bedroom. Lower level is complete with kitchen, game room and bedroom suite, heated floors, heated exterior pavers and 33 x 14 bonus room. Seven bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 212071439.

Presented by Susan Campbell Johnson

Birmingham $1,199,000

Bloomfield $689,000

Spacious New England Colonial in the heart of Birmingham. Ten foot ceilings, open floor plan, 85 foot wide lot, attached three car garage. Bring your decorating and renovation ideas to update this classic early 90's home or purchase completely renovated for $1,599,000. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 212067055. Presented by Linda Eriksen

Stunning one of a kind, 4400 sq ft Condo in the Hills of Lone Pine.

Recently renovated with luxurious details and exceptional quality.

Residence has huge first floor master suite, elegant marble master bath, large gourmet kitchen and an open floor plan with soaring ceilings.

Dramatic two story entry, three car heated garage, exceptional views of pond/waterfall from patio and screened porch. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212020027. Presented by Gerry & Kelly Etue

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Custom Built OAKLAND TOWNSHIP All brick home on Cul-de-sac lot with circular drive and four car garage. Neutral decor, upgraded fixtures through out, two staircases, central vacuum, stereo system and speakers. Two gas fireplaces, library with judges paneling, coffered ceiling and bookcases. Open floor plan. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212054173. $599,999. Tony Scaccia

Historical District Home FRANKLIN VILLAGE

Motivated Seller BLOOMFIELD Unique one and half story home on one acre in wonderful Kirk in the Hills neighborhood.

Surrounded by million dollar plus homes this home features soaring ceilings and huge windows that overlook nature and views of Lower Long Lake. Three bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 212059923. $495,000. Cindy Kahn

Great Opportunity BIRMINGHAM

Watch the seasons unfold from the floor Updated for today's comfort. Hardwood to ceiling windows overlooking the floors, newer kitchen w/appliances, woods and creek of Linden Park. beautiful den w/fireplace, intricate wood Renovate or build in one of the areas ceiling and gorgeous built-ins. Spacious premier neighborhoods. Home in good family and dining rooms. Two new furnaces condition but needs updating. Owner is and newly wired. Large screened in back very motivated. Three bedrooms with 2.1 porch looks onto private yard. Three baths. 212075281. $399,900. Jim Casey bedrooms with three baths. 212068185 $425,000. Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

Prime Location FRANKLIN VILLAGE Charming Ranch setting on 1/2 acre with beautiful perennials and trees. Large windows open to the beautiful yard.

Updated kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite and stainless steel. Hardwood floors, newer carpeting and designer paint throughout. Three bedrooms with two baths. 212055320. $395,000. Dee Brooks

Immaculate Condition BLOOMFIELD Beautiful Ranch on a prime Bloomfield lot. Master suite with walk in closet.

Hardwood floors and large kitchen. Very nice lower level and work shop. Extra deep garage, brick paver patio and walk.

1st floor laundry. Birmingham Schools.

Three bedrooms with three baths.

212071512. $329,000. Herb Duncan

Pottery Barn Perfect BIRMINGHAM Completely updated. Overlooking Pembroke Park. Granite, white kitchen with premium appliances, updated baths, beautiful hardwood floor. Living room fireplace with marble surround. Gorgeous in ground pool with new liner. Three bedrooms with two baths. 212074918. $299,900. Bill Tracy & Chris Johnson

Executive Condo FARMINGTON HILLS Free standing 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.

Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

212074612. $258,500. Michelle Yurich

Oakland Hills Area BLOOMFIELD This home has been extensively renovated and has a wonderful open kitchen with granite counters and island. Master suite has a beautiful bath. Tons of room with living and family rooms, finished basement and attached two car garage! Nice quiet location on a tree lined street. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212073225. $389,000. Bill Tracy & Chris Johnson

Watkins Lake Frontage WATERFORD Updated kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, gas stone fireplace. Turret style all season glass sunroom with heated floor (lake side). New irrigation pump, fenced, brick pavers, two car garage, steel seawall. Prestigious, private, all sports 232 acre lake. Three bedrooms with two baths.

212027441. $319,000. RW Watson

Impeccable BEVERLY HILLS VILLAGE Spacious kitchen with breakfast area, large living room with sliding glass to private side deck. Raised dining room with sliding glass to screened porch, family room with new carpet, fireplace and sliding glass to secluded patio. Five bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212065618. $280,000.

Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

Entertainer's Delight WATERFORD Unique Ranch with great layout. Bright kitchen opens to living room and vaulted dining room that overlooks large private backyard and paver patio area. Hardwood floors and Plantation shutters throughout give this home a nice touch. Three bedrooms with two baths. 212057778. $219,900. Susan Kissick

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FACES

Ray McCallum

T

he University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball head coach Ray McCallum has used his experience to orchestrate one of the most drastic turnarounds in college basketball history.

“We went from having seven wins two years ago to having 20 wins.

That's the best in the history of the school, and the best in the country,” he said.

He recalls his personal metamorphosis from sitting on the bench in high school to becoming the local hometown hero. “I've been the underdog my entire career. My junior year of high school I was the last man picked for the varsity team, and by senior year I was the MVP of the state tournament.”

Winning two consecutive state championships in Indiana with his high school team opened the doors for McCallum to an athletic scholarship to Ball State University, where he would become the all-time leading scorer and have his number retired for the second time in the school's history.

“When you are a part of those moments, people have a tendency to remember you. I got drafted by the Indiana Pacers and that got me into college coaching,” he said.

From there, he joined the Big Ten Conference as an assistant coach for Wisconsin University and the University of Michigan before returning to Ball State to take on his first head coaching position. At 30 years old, his next position at the University of Houston made him the youngest head coach in Division 1 basketball. He was briefly an assistant coach at University of Oklahoma and Indiana University before taking on his current position at University of Detroit Mercy in 2008.

“I've had a lot to prove and challenges like coaching for the University of Detroit Mercy showed we could make a difference. I've had a lot of

experience at the highest level, and through that I've been able to make an immediate impact,” McCallum said.

With 28 years of experience, he's been a great asset to the program. “I'm new school, but the players would probably say that I'm an old school guy. I think I can relate and identify with them because I played at their level, so I know what it takes.”

McCallum's son Ray Michael has also contributed to increased ticket sales and sponsorship when he chose to play for his father's team over other national championship teams that heavily recruited him.

“It was very important that he evaluated it himself and I didn’t convince him, but it was a great thrill that he made the decision to come here like I did.”

The father-son duo work effortlessly together and have been instrumental to the program's success. “He's done a great job of making my job easy as a coach and father. He's a hard worker and has grown into being a team leader,” McCallum said.

Off the court, McCallum stays actively involved in his community as a guest speaker on the coaching clinic circuit and also regularly volunteers with his team.

His family completely embraces his basketball lifestyle. “With my position, it's work 24/7, but we have a basketball family, and they understand it's our whole life. Our TV is always on (ESPN's) SportsCenter.”

As for coaching, McCallum couldn’t be happier with his position and progress. “When you go to a place you want to somehow make it better, and I think we have.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP License challenged after South shooting

By Lisa Brody

The Birmingham City Commission, at the recommendation of city manager Robert Bruner, has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, August 13, on whether to seek the revocation of the onpremises liquor license for South Bar, the nightclub with a troubled history at 210 S. Old Woodward.

The scheduling of a hearing follows South Bar's announcement on July 17 that the business was closing its doors and planning to sell the enterprise after a shooting incident outside of the establishment in the early morning hours of July 16, involving men who had left the bar.

Birmingham Chief of Police Don Studt said South attorney Kelly Allen sent them a statement on July 17 which read: “South Bar has decided, for various reasons, to close and sell the business.”

The liquor license revocation would be for violations of standards of conduct in the community, especially in regards to nuisance of patron conduct, and for numerous incidents of police contact. At a public hearing before the city commission, the commission as well as city attorney Tim Currier will lay out their case against South, and then the licensees, owners Joe Spadafore and Steve Puertas, will be permitted to make their case against revocation. As the liquor license would revert back to landlord James Esshaki per condition of the South lease, according to city commissioner Stuart Sherman, he may also attend the meeting.

Members of the public will also be permitted to speak.

While the city can recommend for license revocation, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) makes the final determination. A spokesperson for the MLCC told Downtown in recent months that the MLCC generally follows the recommendation of the community.

When a license is revoked, the liquor license is taken away permanently from the community, “it ceases to exist,” as Bruner told commissioners, and the licensee cannot get another liquor license from the state for two years. Currier said the city can petition to get another quota license to replace it, however, if there has been a reduction in a city's quota due to population loss, the city would not get another liquor license.

Without a revocation of the South Bar license, the liquor license would still exist and another night club could take its place. Under new MLCC rules that took effect July 1 of this year, the city would no longer have any say in the transfer of a liquor license to a new owner or operator.

In the most recent incident involving patrons of South Bar, at 2:15 a.m. Monday, July 16, three men

Birmingham to amend seven liquor ordinances

B

irmingham city commissioners on July 23 unanimously agreed to have a public hearing at their August 13 meeting to amend seven zoning ordinances regarding where alcoholic beverages are permitted in Birmingham, as well as to require existing and new establishments with alcoholic beverage sales to obtain a special land use permit if they change ownership or the name of the establishment, or for sign or site review.

City manager Bob Bruner stated in a memo

left the establishment and walked north on S. Old Woodward. The three men who left South together included a 28-year-old from Auburn Hills, a 32year-old from Troy, and a 29-year-old from Pontiac.

When they turned west onto Merrill Street, they were assaulted by two other men who had previously left South minutes before, according to Birmingham Police.

Another man arrived on Merrill Street in a 2008 Ford Taurus and seeing his two friends in a fight with the three-man group, jumped out of the driver's seat and pointed a handgun at the original three men, lighting them with a laser from his gun. He fired one shot, which did not hit any of the men, police reports said.

Three police officers on foot patrol on Old Woodward just south of Merrill heard the shots and came running, where they arrested two of the men, Jerry Edward Smith, 24, of Southfield, and Darnell Steffon Ross, 23, of Detroit, at the scene. The driver of the car fled and was apprehended at the intersection of Henrietta and Brown streets by a patrol car.

Police recovered three handguns

that changes in liquor licensing controls from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, effective July 1, 2012, have necessitated the changes in the ordinances, as have several public safety incidents, most notably from patrons of the former South Bar in both April and July.

Bruner noted that previously local municipalities could create contracts with local restaurants or bars in regards to their Class C quota liquor licenses, as the city does with the bistro licenses, and municipalities were part of the approval process when a license was sold to another party. As of July 1, the liquor control commission changed rules governing licenses,

from the vehicle, a .357 Glock; a .45 Glock; and a .9 mm Glock.

A shell casing was recovered on Merrill Street, and the bullet was found on the sidewalk in front of the former Zuma Coffee House. Damage was discovered to windows and mullions of the Chase Bank at the corner of Merrill and S. Old Woodward, as the bullet went through the windows, scraped the glass and landed across the street.

“Thankfully no one was shot and Birmingham Police quickly arrested all three suspects,” said Birmingham City Manager Robert Bruner.

Smith and Ross were charged with assault and battery. The driver and shooter, Ryan Christopher Smith, 22, of Southfield, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon; malicious destruction of a building; and careless discharge of a firearm.

He was arraigned in 48th District Court.

South has had a history of problems with patrons inside and outside of the establishment which first opened in June of 2010. In August 2011, a South bar employee came to the police station and reported that he had been repeatedly assaulted and chased by an individual, allegedly football player Braylon Edwards. A suit between Edwards and South has since been settled. A brawl followed that incident in which security staff were stabbed by a fork, allegedly by members of Edwards' entourage.

In April 2012, two women got into a fight after leaving South, with one woman firing a gun she took from her car. No one was shot.

The incidents led the police and city commission to review their liquor license policies and options, as well as the ability to rescind a liquor license.

and local approval is only required upon the issuance of a new license—not a renewal or a sale of an existing license.

“The only options left require zoning ordinance amendments,” Bruner wrote in his memo. “Given the fact that local legislative body approval is no longer requested for the transfer of location or ownership of most on-premises liquor licenses and permits, I suggest the city change alcoholic beverages sales from a permitted accessory use to a use requiring a special land use in all zoning districts regardless of the specific use or total floor area.”

There are currently 18 Class C quota licenses in Birmingham.

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Charter amendment on November ballot A Birmingham city charter amendment proposal to be placed on the November 6 general election ballot, which would permit the commission to sell property acquired after January 1, 2013, without a vote of the electorate, was approved by a 6-1 vote of the city commission on Monday, July 23.

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff voted against the measure.

City manager Bob Bruner explained that the city's charter, created in 1933, prevents the city from selling any property valued at more than $2 per capita, with population established in the most recent federal census, unless the sale is approved in a ballot proposal.

When the charter was first approved, a property sale price above about $19,000 would have triggered an election or today any property in value above $40,000 would require a city-wide vote.The 1933 charter did not provide for an adjustment due to inflation, otherwise today the value per capita would be $35 and overall sale price triggering a vote would be $700,000, according to Bruner.

“As we've been involved in the sale and negotiation with property since I've become manager, in the back of my mind, I've always wondered, what if we can't use the land,” Bruner said.

The charter amendment, if passed by voters, would be particularly useful in redesigning land use in the Triangle District, Bruner and several commissioners explained. Bruner noted that for the Triangle District to develop, they recognize the need for a parking structure, “which would be part of a mixed use building, part of a public/private partnership. Without the charter amendment, it makes it difficult to go forward. Also, there are lots of small parcels in the Triangle District, which will entail assembling lots of small parcels, and selling them to developers and property owners. I believe the city commission could enter into these deals, or pull the plug.”

Hoff said she felt it was up to commissioners to carefully weigh all of the options involved in purchasing a property and an electorate vote should still be required.

Commissioner Stuart Sherman explained that may not always be an option in a hot real estate market, where someone else may purchase

“our first, second, or third choice first.

Our fourth choice may come on the market first, and we would buy it, and then later maybe our second choice could come on the market, and that would be a better option for a parking structure. It's important to have that option open to us, and not be hindered,” he said.

“It does change the thinking, but it also changes the opportunity,” said mayor Mark Nickita.

If approved, the city would still have to ask for voter approval for any city-owned land acquired prior to January of 2013 and in the future if the sale of any newly acquired property after January of 2013 involved land purchased for parks.

Going mobile with new meter system The Birmingham City Commission has approved Parkmobile USA to provide a new service for all Birmingham parking meters, allowing patrons to pay for parking by downloading an app to their smartphone or by calling a phone number.

“What we like about this service is that it is specific to the vehicle and the parking space,” said commissioner Stuart Sherman. “You register the vehicle, and it goes right into the meter. Once the car pulls out, there is no more money on the meter. The money is attributable solely for that vehicle.”

It's very easy to use, Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said, in presenting Parkmobile to the commission. “I can even use it.”

Drivers can register their smartphone at us.parkmobile.com and download an app it onto their smartphone, or call 800-280-4146.

Interested users can download apps to iPhones, Android phones and Blackberries.

Parking meters will still accept traditional coins. Meters in Birmingham are available for either one or two hours in the downtown area, at $1 an hour. Studt said there will be a 35-cent surcharge per transaction to use the service.

Sherman said the meters will be re-loadable by the smartphone apps, up to the parking time limit. “Drivers will not be able to reload past the total time on the meter,” he said.

He said the city's parking advisory board is working out the final details.

Mid-season golf status report a mixed bag

By Lisa Brody

A

s of June 30, Birmingham's two municipal golf courses have seen an increase in resident, non-resident and business memberships over the 2011 season at the same point, according to a report submitted by assistant director of public services Jeff Bremer to the city's parks and recreation board at its July meeting, but problems have been encountered with the introduction of alcohol and food offerings at the courses.

The increased memberships have provided an increase of revenue and rounds over the same period a year ago. Additionally, the two courses recorded the largest number of rounds of golf seen in the last ten years, Bremer said, with the city tracking rounds since 2003. He also praised the hire of a new clubhouse manager.

“Overall, we are pleased with the rounds but continue to consider ways to draw customers to our courses,” he said.

There have been 1,646 resident memberships taken out this year, compared to 1,244 last year, and 386 non-resident memberships, versus 343 in 2011.

Business memberships increased to 99 from 84, according to the report.

However, Bremer reported, a new and improved food, beverage and merchandising program the golf courses had planned to begin this spring has gotten off to a poor start, including a late arrival for the anticipated liquor license for the courses.

“Several factors have come into play that have delayed the implementation of these items. First, the beer and wine license took much longer to obtain than anyone projected. We began sales on Friday, June 29th and sales have been good. The word has been spread and there is a good level of excitement about this. Second, food was delayed until June 11th due primarily to a lack of personnel to man the food preparation areas. This lack of personnel and the lack of interest on the part of returning personnel delayed the consistency of menu items,” Bremer stated.

Birmingham's two municipal golf courses, Lincoln Hills and Springdale, were both granted liquor licenses by the state of Michigan after the Birmingham City Commission approved amending the rules and regulations for the courses to permit the sale of wine and beer.

Only wine and beer purchased at the golf course clubhouses are permitted at the courses, their clubhouses, parks and pavilions, and only by those who are golfing.

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

Besides the delay in receiving their liquor license, personnel “not embracing the added role of providing food and beverages,” according to Bremer, as “for them, their traditional role has been simply to register the golfers and nothing more. Changing their mindset has been a major effort on the part of the clubhouse manager and has, in part, taken away from her role of marketing the courses. Our efforts to hire additional staff have been met with difficulty as well, despite the repeated placement of ads for help. These efforts have exceeded our traditional advertisement and have included ads at culinary schools, local colleges and Craig’s List. The lack of personnel is the sole reason for the delay in rolling out the food.”

He noted they had just received five more applications, but their major concern now was that several of their food preparation employees are college students the city will lose in early August, further jeopardizing the food and beverage program.

Bremer said special golf events are continuing to be well-attended, and he is optimistic about the rest of the golf season.

“We are committed to the new business model for the golf courses. The model is sound and consistent with other courses in the area. We continue to receive mostly positive comments about our rebuilding efforts. We are quite interested in seeing how the beer and wine and food sales unfold over the remaining months of operation. Despite our setbacks and frustration relative to beer and wine, personnel and food, we remain committed to our mission,” he said.

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP what I wanted, so I wanted to bring in a restaurant person who could serve people better.” He also said it wasn't fair to be denied because he has invested a half million dollars in the venture.

“You have a license for Bistro Joe's,” countered Nickita.

Bistro Joe's denied liquor license switch Tony Curtis, owner of Papa Joe's Gourmet Marketplace in Birmingham, was denied on a 5-2 vote his request to assign the rights of his bistro contract for Bistro Joe's to a new co-licensee, Addie & Jacks, after city commissioners on July 23 said it was an inappropriate attempt at getting around the city's bistro application process.

Commissioners George Dilgard and Tom McDaniel voted against the denial, indicating that Curtis was finally making headway in his process to get his bistro opened and that the city should support that.

Bistro Joe's, a dine-in area within Papa Joe's, has been under consideration since receiving a 2007 Birmingham bistro license.

Commissioners have been frustrated at the lack of progress Papa Joe's has made in creating and fulfilling the bistro contract, which was first proposed for visitors to purchase prepared foods in the market and take it to the bistro area. The proposal was later changed to create a second-floor mezzanine near the wine shop where customers could purchase wine by the glass from a special vending machine.

Curtis told city commissioners in early July that he would now like to assign the rights of his bistro license to Mindy Lopus, owner of Tallulah's and Bella Piatti bistros, in the form of a colicensee as Addie & Jacks, which would serve lunch and dinner weekdays and brunch and dinner on weekends upstairs within Papa Joe's.

According to Eleanor Heald, restaurant columnist for Downtown Publications, Addie & Jacks would serve American comfort food and All-American bottled beer and wine. Commissioners had postponed a resolution on the latest proposal to receive more information from Curtis and Lopus.

Linda Mayer, attorney for Curtis and Lopus, told commissioners on July 23 that “The concept has not changed since last approved in July 2011. The only thing we're asking is to have Addie & Jacks to be added as the operator.”

Mayor Mark Nickita responded, “The name is different, the menu is different, and the operator is different, so actually, a lot of things are different.”

Commissioner Gordon Rinschler said he was concerned about the bistro process, which was just changed last downtownpublications.com

New city goals for Bloomfield Hills Lululemon coming to Birmingham

By Lisa Brody

L

ululemon Athletica, a line of yoga, running and activewear apparel for women and men, has signed a lease for the former Ann Taylor Loft location at 101 S. Old Woodward in Birmingham, according to several sources, and is planning to be open in late November for the holiday season.

The site has been vacant since mid-January 2012, and Lululemon Athletica will take a majority of the space, while another national women's retailer is planning on joining the activewear store in the Loft space on S. Old Woodward.

Building owner Ted Fuller could not be reached prior to press time for direct confirmation on the lease for Lululemon Athletica, nor the name of the other national retailer, but sources say the lease on the additional space at the site had not yet been signed as of press time.

Lululemon, which also has a location at Somerset Collection South, is a well-known and popular brand of activewear. According to the Lululemon website, they make technical athletic apparel for yoga, dancing, running, “and most other sweaty pursuits.”

First founded in Vancouver, BC, in 1998, the first Lululemon shared spaced with a yoga studio. Company founder Chip Wilson was in the skate, ski and surfboard business when he took a yoga class, and disappointed with how his cotton clothes stood up to yoga, he looked into adapting technical athletic clothing for yoga wear. “From this, a design studio was born that became a yoga studio at night to pay the rent,” the web site states. “Clothing was offered for sale...the success of the clothing was dependent on the feedback from yoga instructors who were asked to wear the products and provide their insights.”

Lululemon locations all become strongly involved with their local communities, hosting in-store events ranging from self-defense to goalsetting workshops to complimentary yoga classes.

year to reviewing all applicants for the year in October, allowing commissioners to discuss what kinds of restaurants they feel the city needs and where.

“I see this as a way of bypassing that process,” he said. “There are other operators who can fit into this space.

It's like they're trying to get the back door. I think we should be very concerned about having these bistros going on in perpetuity. It's for the city commission to determine what goes where.”

Commissioner Stuart Sherman concurred. “This is stepping around the bistro process. As it is set up, it is an end run around our process, where we want to determine the kinds of restaurants and where to give the

bistro licenses in the city,” he said.

Nickita agreed. “This is a matter of following an evolving process,” he noted. “There is such interest (in bistro licenses) that we have to analyze the appropriate fit and how they will be an asset to the community, and we have to take that very seriously, and how it will be the best fit to the city, and that has to be honored. This doesn't align with what we've been doing previously.”

City attorney Tim Currier read from the city's bistro contract affirming that bistro ownership is not generally transferable, and needs commission approval.

Curtis, visibly upset, reminded commissioners that he is in the Triangle District, “and I've changed

DOWNTOWN

The Bloomfield Hills City Commission unanimously adopted in early July a new set of city goals for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, developed by city manager Jay Cravens from comments and suggestions offered by city commissioners and city staff.

The goals are wide-ranging and comprehensive in scope, covering issues from developing a wage and salary and benefit study analysis for non-unionized employees by Cravens and finance director Lisa Dolan; developing a three-year road improvement plan for the city, including a funding plan; completing labor agreements with the city's unions by the end of 2012; reviewing the development application process to see where time and expenses can be trimmed; continuing the tree and landscaping program on city-owned property; update and expand the business license ordinance to include more businesses; and amend and update the city charter to remove language no longer permitted by state law.

The city's goals also include new initiatives the city intends to undertake, such as new resident welcome brochures; developing a system where residents can register maintenance issues; developing a program encouraging businesses to make landscape improvements to their properties; increasing the number of newsletters the city sends out to residents from two to three, and increasing the awareness of the city's website; and re-instituting fire and public safety open houses for the public.

Other goals for this year include considering moving the city's election from May to odd-year November elections, in keeping with the rest of Oakland County; and implementing a city-enforcement program to combat soil erosion and sediment control.

After Cravens presented the goals for the city for the year, the commissioners also added the additional goal of reducing overtime costs for public safety.

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Township approves ML liquor license

By Lisa Brody

Restaurant ML, referred to as a “neighborhood joint” by owner Bill Roberts, received unanimous approval for a special land use permit for a Class C liquor license by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, July 9.

The restaurant will occupy part of the former Blockbuster Video location in the Bloomfield Commons center at Maple and Lahser in Bloomfield Township. Verizon Wireless occupies the remainder of the Blockbuster location.

Roberts is the owner of Beverly Hills Grill in Beverly Hills, Streetside Seafood in Birmingham, Town Tavern in Royal Oak, and the new Roadside B&G restaurant on Telegraph in Bloomfield Township in the former Brandy's location.

Roberts told trustees he sought to put another restaurant in the township because “our customers come up to us daily asking us about having an upscale casual dining spot in this corner.” He said the concept is still being worked on, “But we do American restaurants. We plan to do American, but a little bit different.

We're working very hard to provide excellent restaurants for the township and its residents. We're about food and quality of service. We run food as 60 to 80 percent of operations.

Roadside is running at 70 percent, and I think this location will as well.

We're restaurateurs, not barkeeps.”

Roman Bonaslowski of Ron & Roman, restaurant architects and designers, said there will be an outdoor cafe on the northern end of the restaurant enclosed by a threefoot tall wall, topped by 18-inch boxwood plants to create a solid barrier from the parking lot, “so you're in an outdoor room.” Roberts said there will be a permanent awning over the cafe tables “which will catch conversation and absorb a lot of noise” preventing the noise from wafting over to the adjacent residential areas. Reconstruction will create a four-foot wide sidewalk outside the restaurant, which will have approximately 77 interior seats and 50 seasonable outside dining seats.

Bonaslowski said there are 358 onsite parking spaces for the shopping center, which are 15 spaces more than the required 343 parking spaces.

A special land use permit was required for the liquor license because Roberts was requesting operating hours beyond the township's 9 p.m. closing time, which trustees approved. Hours for the restaurant, which Roberts estimates will open at the end of 2012, will be 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m - midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Sunday.

“They're the same hours as at all of

A request for site plan approval for a new Dunkin Donuts with a drive through on Woodward Avenue in Birmingham was postponed by the Birmingham Planning Board Wednesday, July 11, pending more revisions and details.

The primary issue for the board was that there would not be room on the site to accommodate a drive through, and they told the landowner that it was a point on which they would not budge.

The proposed site for the Dunkin Donuts is at 33779 and 33757 Woodward Avenue, between Humphrey and Bennaville avenues, the former location of Woodward Gardens and Bordine's. The new owner wants to demolish the existing greenhouse and construct a new multi-tenant one-story retail building, with the primary tenant being Dunkin Donuts with a drive through. The

owner said there would also be two additional retail spaces, with tenants to be determined in the future.

Matt Baka of the city planning department told the board that while drive throughs are permitted in this zone of the city, they need a special land use permit to be approved to go forward. However, in presenting to the board, he said the planning division cannot recommend the approval of the drive through lane because it would create several traffic conflicts in the public alley and could block entry to the rear entrance of the restaurant, requiring pedestrians to cross through traffic to enter. It would also block the parking for neighboring business How About Lunch if the drive through lane were to be backed up by two or more cars. Furthermore, Baka pointed out, 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, he said, the establishment would also need to remove parking spaces, which the planning division could not recommend.

The board postponed the request for the site plan approval, pending the owner's return with plan revisions removing the drive through.

Projects must receive approval recommendation from the planning board before moving on to the city commission for final approval.

25 at a final site review on the revised plans, created by Robert Lipka of RLA Studio Architects in collaboration with Dominick Tringali AIA. “We're amending a previously approved site plan with less impact because these are not as high, and they're further away from both Hazel and Villa,” Moceri said. “We are also adding extensive landscaping and streetscaping. We have done a very thorough job, in the Moceri tradition.

Our goal is to blend into the community. We hope to complement

what is there and raise the bar for everyone who comes in after.”

IronGate was designed to enhance the area, with its roof designed with reverence to railroad spikes and a depot arch and depot cupola highlighting the nearby depot station, now Big Rock Chop House.

“It's all about the industrial edge of the area,” Moceri said. “We're paying homage to the industrial background and the rail area. We're excited to blend the historic reverence of the Rail District with the future.”

Moceri said he is excited to join other businesses, and to provide an opportunity for residential and business space in the Rail District. “It is the SoHo of Birmingham. It's wonderful, hip, meeting the new lifestyle demands,” he said. “It's about how we live and play today.”

our restaurants, even Royal Oak,” Roberts said.

Trustee Neal Barnett told Roberts and Bonaslowski, “I think it's a fantastic addition to that area of the township.”

Trustee Corinne Khederian concurred. “I think there is a clear distinction between the public area and the private patron area,” she said, referring to the outdoor dining space.

Dunkin Donuts site plan hits a snag

Another development for city’s Rail District

T

he Rail District of Birmingham is expanding with the announcement of a new live/work development on the site of an unbuilt residential development project by the Moceri Companies which has a strong reputation for upscale residential developments.

Moceri Companies announced plans for IronGate on Eton, ultra luxury live/work lofts on Eton between Villa and Hazel streets, right next to the Whistle Stop restaurant.

IronGate is proposed for part of the former Crosswinds development, which was approved by the city of Birmingham planning department, then ceased development in 2005 after building 120 units and later filing for bankruptcy protection.

Artist rendering of IronGate

Moceri Companies plans on building 11 units, “each with between two and four bedrooms, which can be converted to offices or media rooms,” said Dominic Moceri.

He noted that the end-caps have been designed with expansive areas to allow for retail or service opportunities, be they a restaurant, bakery, florist, beauty shop, office or any other establishment.

IronGate on Eton received unanimous approval before the Birmingham Planning Board on July

EDUCATION Three-year pact for Bloomfield schools

year, there is a contract re-opener clause, said Shira Good, spokesperson for Bloomfield Hills Schools.

The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Bloomfield Hills Education Association at the June 21 board of education meeting.

The agreement runs from August 31, 2012 through June 15, 2015, and deals with salary, health care and faculty meetings for the district’s teachers, social workers, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Because of changes to health care plans, the district has determined that they will realize an estimated savings of $64,400-$526,406 in school year 2012-2013, and $1,708,632 in the 2013-14 school year. The new insurance program will continue to be self-insured and be administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

For the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years, teachers will see no salary increase other than for the top step, which will receive a one percent increase. For the 2014-2015 school

Five file so far for school board election Five candidates, including three incumbents, have filed to run for the three seats on the Bloomfield Hills School Board that are appearing on the November 6 general election ballot.

Incumbents Ingrid Day, Robert Herner and Joan Berendt, along with W.F. Wolgls, a Bloomfield Hills resident, and Howard Baron of Bloomfield Township have filed to appear on the ballot.

Two of the three seats, those held by Day and Herner, are six-year terms. Day, Baron, and Wolgls have filed to run for those two seats. Berendt was appointed in 2011 until the next general election to fill former board member Kate Petterson's seat, which expires in 2014.

Berendt and Herner have filed for the two-year terms.

Candidates have until August 14 at 4 p.m to file for to run for a school board seat in the November election.

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FACES

Beth Chappell

B

eth Chappell, President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Club, is not only a successful businesswoman, but has also distinguished herself as a community role model.

“Anyone who has the opportunity to be blessed should give back. It’s a blessing to be in a leadership role where you can help so many different people,” she said.

Chappell has sat on numerous boards with a variety of mandates, including Hospice of Michigan, the United Way, and Karmanos Cancer. It is one of the ways she feels she can help provide for others.

Chappell has had a rich and varied career. After college, she spent 16 years at AT&T, which required moving every 18-21 months. One of the transfers was back to Michigan, where she met her husband, Warren, and unexpectedly planted her roots. They live in Bloomfield Hills.

She founded her own management consulting company, the Chappell Group, and worked as executive vice president for Compuware Corporation before being asked to lead the Detroit Economic Club. “It provided me with much needed and desired flexibility with three babies. It presented challenges when they were little but turned out to be very rewarding. What other job do you get to hang out with friends and associates in a fun and educational business environment?”

Unlike many jobs, Chappell doesn’t have one typical day. As CEO, she is responsible for scheduling speakers who foster the debate of business, government, and social issues.

“The Detroit Economic Club is a jewel to our city and state. We have very prominent voices that come speak and that’s thrilling in itself,” she said. The organization sponsored the 2009 national summit and has hosted every U.S. president since Richard Nixon.

She has improved membership and increased financial growth through programming, meeting with investors, and representing the club at events three to four evenings a week. “I integrate my personal and work life. Nights out are part of my job, but that’s also my off-time.”

The Detroit Economic Club didn't allow women until 1975, but gladly welcomed Chappell as its first female CEO in 2002. “It broke a lot of glass but from where I stood, it didn't feel like I was battling for the job.”

Crain’s Detroit Business named her to its Most Influential Women list in both 1997 and 2007 for the positive name she has given female CEOs. “It was a very humbling experience and felt like wow —I'm in the big girl league now,” she said.

Being a self-motivated person has given her the persistence needed to succeed in all of her commitments. “I'm very motivated by my job but it isn't what necessarily motivates me. I loved working at McDonald's when I was 16. I could love a lot of jobs.”

Yet the role as a mother is what truly inspires her. “I’m most proud of my family.” Chappell noted. “It’s really all about that.

Family comes first with me. We have a family-friendly culture and that permeates our organization.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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DOWNTOWN

08.12

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.

Barrio Tacos & Tequila: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.6060.

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, 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

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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 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.

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273 Pierce Downtown Birmingham 248.645.9123 www.streetsideseafood.com

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73

FOCUS ON WINE Best wines for mid-summer

By Eleanor and Ray Heald

A

ugust continues summer fun events – deck and patio gatherings and the bounty from local gardens and farms. There’s nothing like the taste of the first juicy ripe tomato, peach, plum or sweet corn. And wine? If white or rosé, it should be refreshing, crisp and zingy.

Unoaked chardonnays fit the bill. The classiest unoaked versions are chablis, from the French region with the same name. Chablis is rarely oak aged. For chablis, choose a top producer.

2009 Joseph Drouhin Reserve de Vaudon Chablis $28 – lovely. 2009 Joseph Drouhin Chablis Premier Cru Montmains $39 – great aging potential. 2009 Joseph Drouhin Chablis Premier Cru Sécher $39 – elegant.

Pinot grigio and pinot gris are the same grape variety, just the Italian name vs. the French. Pinot grigio is generally crisper with grapefruit notes, hints of lemonlime and nice with linguine and white clam sauce. Pinot gris characteristics are melon, spiced pear, white peach and match with grilled chicken, fish or shrimp.

2011 Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio $11. 2011 Kenwood Pinot Gris $16.

Riesling is a most versatile white. Try 2010 Bogle Riesling $10 with spicy Asian dishes, fresh fruits and soft cheeses.

Sauvignon blanc has so many different styles worldwide that it’s hard to predict without a sample tasting.

Characteristics we like in this variety are fresh, lively with vibrant aromas and flavors of lemongrass, citrus, melon, grapefruit and bright lime.

2011 Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc $8 – easy drinking and good value. 2011 Dry Creek Fumé Blanc $14. 2011 Franciscan Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $17 – pick of the pack.

Then there is a grab bag of lesser known varietals and blends. In general, they pair with seafood cooked with garlic and white wine, green salads with avocado and citrus dressing, lemon chicken, scallops and light-fleshed fish with tropical salsa.

2011 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc $20 – pick of the pack. 2011 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc+Viognier $14.

2011 Kenwood Moscato Zacchera $14 -- well balanced.

2011 Alamos Torrontes $13 -- delicious value. 2011 Peter Lehmann Moscato $13 -- spritzy and a bit sweet. 2011 Dry

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.

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

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

248.792.6109.

74

Creek Dry Chenin Blanc $12 – hard to beat at this price.

2011 Kenwood Vintage White $9 – very good value.

Grilled salmon, sushi, grilled sausages, roast chicken and Mediterranean tapas are tasty matches for a rosé.

Don’t judge greatness by color depth, which nearly always depends on the grape variety used for the wine.

2011 Tablas Creek Rosé $27. 2011 La Rochelle Pinot Noir Rosé $24. 2011 Beckmen Grenache Rosé $18. 2011 Valley of the Moon Rosato di Sangiovese $14.

With grilled meat, a red wine offers the most pleasure.

Since it’s summer, serve it slightly chilled (20 minutes in a refrigerator or 10 minutes in an ice bucket). Rhone varieties are especially good choices.

2009 Beckmen Purisima Mountain Grenache $45. 2010 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas $30 It goes without saying that pinot noir is a delicious choice, especially with grilled salmon or roast chicken.

2010 J. Lohr Fog’s Reach $35.

2010 Morgan Twelve Clones $32 consistently excellent. 2009 MacMurray Sonoma Coast $27--superior value.

Argentine malbec harmonizes superbly with grilled meat.

2010 Amalaya (75 percent malbec) $17-value. 2010 Colomé Malbec Estate $30 – produced mainly from vines planted in 1854 where vineyards are biodynamically and sustainably farmed at altitudes of 5,500 to 8,500 ft (believed to be the highest vineyards in the world).

Grab bag exists for red wines too!

2009 Ghost Pines Red Blend $20. 2010 Bridlewood Central Coast 175 Blend $15.2009 Las Rocas Garnacha $14 – rich, black cherry blackberry, round, 30-50 year-old vines.

2009 Las Rocas Garnacha Vina Viejas $20 - elegant, oak hints, supple and fruit filled.

Grilled pizzas take to zinfandel.

2009 Rock Wall Monte Rosso Vineyard $40 – outstanding. 2009 Rock Wall Jesse’s Vineyard Zinfandel $30 - simply delicious.

For grilled steaks, think cabernet sauvignon.

2008 Dry Creek The Mariner $40 – beats cabs at two and three times the price. 2009 J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard, Napa Valley $40. 2009 Louis Martini Napa Valley $30. 2009 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley $59. 2008 Rodney Strong Rockaway $75.

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

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.

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, &

DOWNTOWN

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.

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.

Max & Erma’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.1188.

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, MondayFriday; 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 Quiznos: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 185 N Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.7827.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch &

08.12

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.

Tokyo Sushi & Grill: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.6501.

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 Cafe: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.5588.

Zazios: Italian. Dinner daily. Reservations.

Liquor.

34977 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, 48009.

Phone: 248.530.6400.

Zumba Mexican Grille: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, Daily. No Reservations. 163 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.2775.

AT THE TABLE Grilled scallops are bathed in a most delicious tomato gazpacho. Crab Cakes are moist with lots of crab flavor.

As Social moves to more options, Social Salad Bowl $9 is planned as a lunch item. From a lengthy list of “stuff,”

By Eleanor Heald a diner can choose (without being nickel and dimed) from ocial media is the new word-of-mouth. A social among four greens then additional toppings of four kitchen? Well, in Birmingham, that’s the new bistro cheeses, three nuts and seeds, 20 veggies and eight style. dressings for a salad that can be ordered chopped, dressIt’s based on the building blocks of work hard, start ing on the side or lightly dressed. Addition of Chicken, small, grow as a catering company and raise capital, then Tuna Salad, Flank Steak or Salmon are extra, between $4 open a first bistro in a tony suburb at age 26. That’s also and $8. the current bio of Zack Sklar, chef/proprietor of Two main courses are considered signatures: Sea Bass Birmingham’s newest and largest bistro, Social Kitchen & Skillet $28, served in a skillet with crispy noodles and Bar. Spaghetti and Wagyu Meatballs, $19.

“Rooftop potential seating 34-36,” says Chef Zack, A not-to-miss signature dessert is The Cookie Jar, $8 “was my primary interest in the location. Added to that is with a variety of crafted cookies, including warm Social the total size because I’ve leased the via next door from chocolate chips. the city of Birmingham for an A sizable wine list is not filled outdoor patio. I plan to enclose it with headliners and icons. Byto make an all-seasons dining the-glass pours range $8 - $18. space with 54 seats.”

Bottles can top $175. The best This space will add to a main deals are under the Continental bistro area with 65 seats (includReds section. There barbera, ing 10 at the bar) that has attitempranillo and malbec are $40 tude and outside-the-box vibe in and under. To aid selection, a its décor – vintage wallpaper, handy color-coded flavor profile exposed brick, painted wood key uses a single word to panels, exposed ceiling, Edison describe each wine. light bulbs, a patchwork vinyl Chef Zack says he admires floor and Campbell’s soup can both celebrity chefs Daniel prints.

Boulud and Wolfgang Puck for “their versatility and number of Chef/proprietor Zack Sklar. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent restaurants, from casual to fine Passion for cooking When he was in 8th grade, dining.” This probably indicates where Chef Zack and his Chef Zack knew that he wanted to pursue a culinary Social Kitchen are headed. career. The Farmington Hills native maintains that he was raised in a family with a food culture. When he was 15 Social Kitchen, 225 E. Maple, Birmingham, years old, he was hired by Chef Rick Halberg at the now 248.594.4200. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; until closed Emily’s in Northville for a garde manger kitchen midnight Friday and Saturday. Reservations: for six or position. There he learned the art of preparing meats, fish more. Parking: valet in winter only. and salads while perfecting his knife skills.

At age 18, he was accepted as a student at the QUICK BITES Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. In Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar opened its cigar lovers’ his second year there, he lived in a small off-campus eatery at 116 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, on July 10. apartment where he began catering, using online sites to Hours are 11 a.m. daily for lunch and starting at 5 p.m. for purchase needed refrigeration units and other equipment. dinner. No reservations. Call the atmosphere clubby and Post graduation with a CIA culinary degree, he and the menu American favorites, including dry-aged steaks, some friends continued the catering business, Cutting by Executive Chef Matt Barkach (formerly of South in Edge Cuisine, in New York’s Hudson Valley before moving Birmingham). It’s a “scratch” kitchen that uses all local back to Michigan and opening it in two locations, purveyors. A system similar to those used in casinos, filBloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield. ters cigar smoke, but for those who object to smoke, Teaming with kitchen veteran Mark Barbarich, now there’s a 12-seat patio for non-smokers.

Social’s Executive Chef, and Justin Kurtz, a talented Pastry Chef from New York, gives Social Kitchen a leg up Griffin Claw Brewery, 525 S. Eton, Birmingham, had its on expertise and execution of a forward-looking menu of formal groundbreaking July 12. The nearly 12,000 square foot building will be home to the brewery under direction selections elevated to a high art form. of award-winning brew master Dan Rogers. When opened in 2013, there will be approximately 100 seats indoors and Foodosophy Sporting a well-trimmed shadow beard and chef’s 85 outdoors. “Décor will be bare bones and all about beer,” white jacket, Chef Zack comes across as a self-assured says popular Birmingham Big Rock Chop House restaura26-year-old, a fact he used several times as a reminder teur Norm LePage, whose wife Bonnie LePage is Griffin when I asked some questions about his goals. Answers Claw owner with her partner Mary Nicholson. “The tradiwere short, yet well conceived. “Make great food with bal- tional beer garden look, complete with a gravel floor, will anced flavors. I want my passion to come through on the also serve sausages, hard cider, root beer and ginger beer among other menu offerings.” plates.”

If you are into small plates, the appetizers ($9 - $15) are Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writes the the way to order. Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with cauliflower wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for slaw and pickled onions are a delight. Ground sirloin DOWNTOWN. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be Slider Bites are unparalleled. The bun bursts with flavor. e-mailed to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.

Social Kitchen showcases new bistro style

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BUSINESS MATTERS SKBK moves location SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, a Birmingham real estate firm, is moving from 348 E. Maple Road to Birmingham Place at 411 S. Old Woodward in mid-August. The expanding company required more space to better serve Oakland County clients. Doug Hardy, owner and chairman of SKBK, said the new location in Birmingham will more than double their space from 6,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet, and the company will add about 30 new agents by the end of the year. “We've been successful in Birmingham and Bloomfield and have outgrown our space,” Hardy said. The new location will open the third week in August.

Marketing firms expand Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing is relocating to 800 N. Woodward Avenue and keeping its

exclusive dog food store named after the owners' dog. The spa, located at 61 W. Long Lake Road, will be adding approximately 1,000 square feet at 79 W. Long Lake Road to their existing 1,200 square foot space in Bloomfield Hills. “I had a feeling it was unfortunately going to close because it wasn't a good fit for the area and was the third business there in the past seven years,” said Ken Platt, coowner. “We already have our grooming spa so we can expand the new business on the other side and it will make for convenience for everyone.” The store will sell dog beds and top of the line dog food brands that follow grain-free directions. Platt owns the grooming spa with his wife, Janet Platt. “It won't be a general store for everyone.

It will only carry foods that promote the best possible diet for the longest, happiest, healthiest dog life possible,” she said. Mistro's Dog House will carry entirely grain-free dog foods that are not part of a normal dog's diet.

Family yoga classes

sister company, Ignite Social Media, at 325 S. Old Woodward Avenue, their current location in Birmingham. The new location, opening in August, will give the company 4,500 square feet of needed additional space in downtown Birmingham and hopefully benefit both companies, Brogan & Partners CEO Maria Marcotte said.

“We looked at combining but it's better to have the two companies separate.” The growth of both Ignite Social Media agency and Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing and advertising agency brought on the move. “We knew we wanted to stay in downtown Birmingham but we needed additional space. We are fortunate to have found it and it's nice to see Birmingham office space being taken up,” Marcotte said.

Gourmet pet store JP's Pet Boutique and Grooming Spa is expanding to the former Bloomfield Galleries location and opening Mistro's Dog House, an downtownpublications.com

Karma Yoga at 3683 West Maple in Bloomfield Township has added prenatal yoga classes to its schedule and is expanding its Family Yoga Center to include Mommy & Me classes beginning August 1. The parent-toddler classes will accompany the prenatal classes as a part of a family track. “Clients started bringing their teenage children, asking to help them with stress.

Studying with my teachers, I realized I needed to bring this to the root and start with birthing,” owner Katherine Austin said. “It's more than just mom exercise; they must be prepared for delivery and meditate to clear their karma.” Austin, who opened the studio in 2003, will teach all of the prenatal yoga and parent-toddler classes.

practices with the distressed properties. “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are high on our list of priorities. Our team keeps these goals in the forefront of our thinking and planning.”

Art gallery closed Bloomfield Galleries, at 79 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, closed on Saturday, June 30. Co-owner Kendrek Mohamed said lack of time and the area are to blame for the closure. “We didn't have enough time and the storefront is in an off-area,” he said. Bloomfield Galleries first opened in Bloomfield Hills in 2011.

The galleries artwork is still available thorough their website and by appointment.

Hyde Park may grow The newly-opened Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, a small chain of steakhouses out of Cleveland, was presented with the opportunity to expand next door into the former Zuma Coffee House. Owner Joe Saccone of the Hyde Park Restaurant Group said, “Obviously (Ted Fuller, the building's owner and landlord) has asked us but our comment is not yet, we need a little bit more time to be open.” Hyde Park Steakhouses usually occupy spaces of approximately 7,000 square feet in downtown areas. “We don't need a bigger restaurant and the space is relatively large, so it would be for private party rooms, if anything,” Saccone said. “If the space is still available in 60 to 90 days from now, then we'll consider it.”

SAIC moves to Birmingham Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation USA recently moved their North American Operations

Builder expands services The Frankel Organization, a custom building and remodeling company specializing in new luxury homes in Birmingham and Bloomfield, has recently expanded its scope to now renovate partially completed or neglected homes. According to Frankel Organization Principal Laurie Frankel, the company will continue to focus on its same

Center from Troy to 322 North Old Woodward in Birmingham. “We felt the business environment in

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Birmingham was conducive to attracting good talent and employees,” Director of Corporate Marketing SAIC USA Garry Neel said. “It's a convenient place to work and a central location for employees to get to. We'll get to about 100 employees eventually.” The nerve center for the company's U.S. subsidiary will allow the firm to concentrate on procurement among regional suppliers, coordinate the logistics of import and export, build auto parts, and control technology components for major vehicle companies, including Shanghai General Motors Company.

Coffee shop closed Zuma Coffee House, located at 207 S. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, recently closed its doors. Owners of the establishment, Richard and Lisa Spicko, were unable to be reached for comment regarding the closure.

Tanning salon closes doors TanFaster, located at 3596 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield Township, closed Thursday, June 28. The tanning salon had been in business since 1979. The owner of the establishment chose not to comment regarding the closure.

New yoga studio Ashtanga Yoga Room, located at 161 Townsend Street, recently moved its yoga studio to 230 Willits Alley in Birmingham. Owner Aaron Fenton said he hadn't planned on moving, but when Wow World of Wine left, he decided to open a new studio to incorporate more art and fulfill his passion for painting and designing clothing. “The new basement location is perfect for me because I am a very private person and would often put boards over the windows to block out light and noise from busses,” Fenton said about his old studio near the Townsend Hotel. “People that come are people who love the environment and practice.” The new donationbased studio holds daily meditations at 4:45 a.m. and physical classes at 5:00 p.m. to raise money for children born with drug addicted parents.

Business Matters for the Birmingham-Bloomfield area are reported by Hayley Beitman. Send items for consideration to HayleyBeitman@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EYE CARE SPECIALISTS RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Reaching Out to Business Professionals, Social Community, Children in Need BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: I am very pleased that TCH’s new business educational programs have resonated so well with business professionals in the area. Recently, John Schamante, president of Clear Vision Strategy and a certified John C. Maxell Team coach wrote: “TCH has positioned itself to be a high level business connection hub in this area focused on helping business professionals learn and earn.”

Most Insurance Plans Accepted Comprehensive Eye Care • Lasik Surgery • Cataract Surgery Eye Disease • Designer Eyewear • Contact Lenses Complimentary Hearing Screening:

Here’s what is coming up: Bulletproof Your Success™ Monthly Lectures Continue: Averaging 80 attendees each month, these lectures are a great way to enhance your personal business effectiveness while connecting with others!

The Wednesday, August 8th 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. lecture, “If the Devil is in the Details, You Better Know Which Ones – Business Planning Made Simple”, covers how to implement a tactical plan for yourself, your department or your business that will deliver on your objectives. www.tchbulletproof.org.

In addition to our vision services we now have an Audiologist on site. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Camille Jayne

NEW: Business Educational Symposium: On October 25th TCH will host a half day Business Educational Symposium - “How to Work Smarter’ – included are a sit down breakfast and lunch both with structured business networking sessions, and three breakout seminars: Smart Sales & Marketing; Everything Wireless to Grow Your Business; and Planning For Now & The Future. Northwood University is the Presenting Sponsor and Greenleaf Trust is our Breakfast & Lunch sponsor. Register before October 1st to save $25. www.tchsymposium.org SOCIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS: TCH continues to provide excellent community programs and class offerings that enrich people’s lives.

Here’s a taste of just a couple: Jazzy Nights a Hit at TCH: Sellout audiences are enjoying jazz, small plates and drinks at our Thursday night jazz evenings at TCH on the terrace (or in the ballroom when it rains). Come by on August 2nd to hear The Randy Scott Quartet; August 9th for The Dwight Adams Quartet; and August 16th to enjoy Straight Ahead. WRCJ 90.9 and artistic director Ron Kischuk have brought us this wonderful experience. $10 cover charge. $600 reserved tables for eight available.

Call 248.644.5832.

Birmingham House Tour: Mark off Thursday, September 20th for TCH’s annual Birmingham House Tour. We have eight glorious homes for you to enjoy! Thanks once again to Hall & Hunter as our presenting sponsor. www.tchserves.org.

Get the Edge with TCH Classes: Give your teen an edge by enrolling them in TCH’s “Class of 2013: Start (and finish) Your College Applications! ,” August 23rd 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $25/student. Help yourself get an edge in life with our healthy cooking classes: “Peaches: From Soups to Desserts,” Aug. 9th; DIY Healthy Sauces & Dressings, Aug. 22nd; and “Michigan Sweet Corn,” Aug. 29th. www.tchserves.org.

CHILDREN IN NEED: We are so gratified that support is increasing for TCH’s iCount™/KidsCount Healthy Wellness & Nutrition pilot program in the tri-county area to stave off teen obesity. 250 low income teens are moving and eating right in the iCount program to give them a healthy edge in life. Forgotten Harvest is supplying healthy foods each week for the teens to take home. At the August 24th iCount Vibrancy Day Celebration “iCounter” teens and their families will come together to celebrate success in the program. Forgotten Harvest will set-up a farmers’ market with 6,000 lbs. of donated produce for our participants and their families; representatives from Eastern Market will talk to the group about using a Bridge Card to receive bonus tokens redeemable for local produce; and “edible WOW” magazine with provide chef cooking demonstrations with the Michigan farmers who grew vegetables used in the dishes. Thank you to our partners!

Carl F. Clavenna, M.D. & Gregory B. Fitzgerald, M.D.

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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.

2012 Grand Prixmiere benefit

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1. Belle Isle Conservancy board chair Sarah Early (left) of Bloomfield, Governor Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor, Rick & Karen Williams of Bloomfield. 2.

Honorary co-chairs Roger Penske (left) of Birmingham and Kim & Mark Reuss of Bloomfield with committee members Peggy Daitch and her husband Peter Remington of Birmingham. 3. Honorary co-chairs GM’s Jim Campbell and Kathy Penske of Birmingham.

4. Ruth Glancy (left) of Grosse Pointe with honorary co-chairs Tony & Sarah Early of Bloomfield. 5. Terry Rhadigan (left) of S. Lyon with honorary co-chair Bud Denker of Bloomfield and Yvette & Mayor Dave Bing of Detroit. 6. Nancy Bluth (left) of Bloomfield, Debbie Tracz of Northville, honorary co-chair Melissa Denker of Bloomfield and Debra Conroy of Birmingham.

7. Maud Lyon (left) of Grosse Pointe with committee members Dick & Dawn Rassel of Bloomfield. 8. Fair Radom (left) with committee member Marilyn Way of Bloomfield. 9. Larry Bluth (left) of Bloomfield with Ed Tracz of Northville and Pat Conroy of Birmingham.

10. Eric Machus (left) of Bloomfield, Leslie Hill of Fraser and Brother Francis Boylen of Detroit.

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2012 Grand Prixmiere benefit When GM’s Mark Reuss greeted the 350-plus guests at the Grand Premiere fundraiser for the Belle Isle Conservancy, he looked around at the Sally Gerak Ren Cen Wintergarden. “Our house is still here and looks pretty good,” he observed. A lot had happened to GM since the last Belle Isle race in 2008, but, Reuss noted, “…we’re at the turning point as a city, a state and a race…and (the Penske company) is making Belle Isle better than I have ever seen it.” The race chairman, Penske’s Bud Denker, returned the compliment by saying that making the race happen in nine short months would have been impossible without GM. He added praise for the mayor, the governor and the 1,000 volunteers and bragged about 750 Detroit Public School kids who had visited the race practice sessions earlier in the day after studying race-related math and science. “We are still the motor capital,” he declared.

ESPN reporter Jamie Little also conducted a Q & A with some drivers, including Ryan Brisko, Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon. Prophetically, Dixon declared the Belle Isle circuit “difficult”. Two days later the race, which Dixon won, became more well-known for the gritty way Denker and crew repaired some damage to the track and resumed the race after an unfortunate two hour stoppage. During the driver conversation and dinner, motion sports artist Bill Patterson created a painting that Lila Lazarus and her fiancé, WXYZ-TV’s Ed Fernandez, auctioned off for $21,000. The lucky buyer was Belle Isle Conservancy chairman Sarah Earley’s husband, Tony Early. Dakota Integrated Systems’ Andra Rush also paid $8,000 for Patterson’s smaller Indy 500 winner painting. This brought the event proceeds to more than $250,000 to support the conservancy’s mission: to protect, preserve and restore Belle Isle and its structures for all to enjoy as a public park.

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Great Lakes Chamber Vignette, Opus 4 The 19th annual Great Lakes Music Festival concluded June 23, but 200-plus music buffs got in the mood for it and raised some $13,500 to support it at a series of five social musicals. These were hosted by Gwen and Evan Weiner, Franziska and Robert Schoienfeld, Dede and Oscar Feldman, Deborah and Addison Igleheart, and Fritz Morsches and Kareem George. At the latter Vignette, violist James VanValkenburg confided that a Bohuslav Martinu composition was so hard to do that “….I had to learn it during the (DSO) strike.”

Such tidbits are frequently revealed at these intimate gatherings and are one of their appeals.

The festival, which offered a total of 20 concerts in eight venues, explored the music of Russia. It garnered rave review by critics as well as many of the 3,500 ticketholders like Bert London, who said, ”It was the most marvelous musical experience of my lifetime.” Highlights included Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” with the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, and the closing night performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the Seligman Performing Arts Center featuring Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky works. At concert’s end, the capacity crowd of 682 joined the musicians in a toast to festival artistic director James Tocco, EDE’s artistic director Laurie Eisenhower and festival executive director Maury Okun. Okun had earlier been totally surprised by the pre-concert announcement that a fund in his name had already received $40,000-plus in donations. Kathy and Randy Schein then hosted an afterglow at their Bloomfield Hills home for about 100 generous festival supporters.

Scavolini’s Art of Giving for PATH A very spirited scene prevailed in the Scavolini Birmingham showrooms the night nearly 300 supporters of PATH gathered there. They socialized seriously, munched on fare brought by Tre Monti, and perused jewelry designed by Link Wachler and the handsome Italian kitchen designs exhibited there. They also filled in one of Tom Maniaci’s “Frame Your Face” paintings. The highlight of the DOWNTOWN

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evening came when auctioneer Charles Wickens got folks to bid on the completed painting. Justin Near was the smart winning bidder who got it for $1,100. The event raised $14,000 for Lighthouse PATH to help move moms and their children from crisis to self sufficiency.

JARC’s Spring Elation!

Two thousand guests, including lots of those who receive services from the agency that has been serving people with disabilities since 1969, frolicked at the 14th annual Spring Elation at the Detroit Zoo. Many stopped to have a picture taken with Roary, the Detroit Lions mascot, before heading to the animal exhibits and the new carousel via the Tauber Family Train. Everybody filled their plates with Matt Prentice’s catered picnic fare and lots of those boogied off the calories to the high energy music provided by Star Trax. An activities tent also offered activities like temporary tattoos, animal masks and a word search game. Thanks to generous sponsors like Gary Gilbert’s Gilbert Films, the festivities raised more than $320,000. For more information about JARC go to www.jarc.org.

Yatooma’s Foundation VIP Dinner & Auction More than 300 supporters of the foundation that helps families who have lost a parent flocked to The Townsend for the VIP Champions for Kids evening. Its Sunday Night Fever theme was a good excuse for some to dig up 70s attire like go go boots, headbands and psychedelic prints.

Even Jamal Newberry, a foundation recipient, and honoree Matt Friedman wore Afro wigs to the high energy party. When he accepted the Champion for the Kids award for his longtime foundation support, Friedman thanked the pro bono division of his public relations firm (Tanner Friedman). He also mentioned that his wife and daughters enjoyed shopping for gifts for the foundation’s kids. Simone Vitale’s musicians accented the scene with disco tunes like “I Will Survive” and “Hot Stuff” before and after the live auction conducted by Chris Aslanian. He got $45,400 for 10 lots, including the $7,250 Jim Murphy had to bid to best First Lady Sue Snyder for the Party for 40 at Capital Grille. Two days later, 100 golfers toured the Orchard Lake Country Club layout in the Golf Tournament. Sebastin Lucido, downtownpublications.com

Great Lakes Chamber Vignette, Opus 4

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2 1. Board chair Michael (left) & Bridget Morin of Bloomfield with event co-host Fritz Morsches of Franklin. 2. Co-host Kareem George with Don & Marilyn Meier of Bloomfield. 3. Kay Block (left) and Kathy Schein of Bloomfield and Beverley Katz of Southfield. 4. Sandra Moers (left) of Bloomfield and Meg Lentz of W. Bloomfield. 5. Brooke Hoplamazian (left) of Beverly Hills, Irving Shapiro of Bloomfield and Diane Hancock of White Lake.

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Scavolini’s Art of Giving for PATH

2 1. Frame Your Face artist Tom Maniaci (center) of Bloomfield with event hosts Scavolina’s Niki Serras (left) & Alisha Serras of Birmingham.

2. Heather Franklin (left) of Plymouth and Melissa Petersen of Bloomfield. 3. Dana Sorensen of Bloomfield and auctioneer Charles Wickins of Birmingham. 4. Kathy Curtis (left), Teryl Murphy and Mary Derian of Bloomfield. 5. Jeffrey Aboud (left), committee member Sheri Lussier and Michael Asher of Birmingham. 6. Dr. Marlene Roth (left) and Paula Fraser of Bloomfield with Jerry Hutcheson of Birmingham. 7. Don Chow (left) of Detroit, jeweler Link Wachler of Troy and committee member Sandra Stalmark of Birmingham.

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JARC’s Spring Elation!

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1. Event co-chairs Julie Hertzberg (left) of Bloomfield holding Sydney and Dani Gillman-Glickfeld of W. Bloomfield holding Brodie. 2. Lauren (left) & JARC board member Adam Cohen of Huntington Woods with JARC CEO Rick Loewenstein and his wife Dana of W. Bloomfield. 3. Tracie (right) and Madelyn Fenman of Bloomfield and grandparents Linda and Howard Goldman of W. Bloomfield.

4. Stuart Sherr of Bloomfield and Rachel Lachover of Birmingham.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Stephen Sierwaski, Richard Carretti and Curtis Morton posted the best score. Erin Gust and Steve Sierowski won the Closest to the Pin title and Sherry Gelmine and Roger Wechter hit the day’s longest drives. In all, Yatooma’s Foundation for the Kids Champions 2012 two-part event raised $260,000 to help kids turn tragedy into triumph.

Yatooma’s Foundation VIP Dinner & Auction

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1. Honoree Matt Friedman of W. Bloomfield with his twin daughters Ellie (left) and Jenna. 2. Nicole & Norman Yatooma of Bloomfield.

3. Emcee Paul W. Smith (left) and his new wife Kim (formerly Guisinger) of Bloomfield with Dan & Clare Murphy of Bloomfield.

4. First Lady Sue Snyder of Ann Arbor with Jeff Wayne of Bloomfield.

5. Andrea Yatooma (center) with her family Elaine (left) & Jeff Yatooma of Sylvan Lake and Carrie & Chris Yatooma of Bloomfield. 6. Rich (left) & Valerie Leebove of Bloomfield with Jimmy Hoffa of Troy and Bill Black of Rochester Hills. 7. Carine (left) & Gar Liebler of Oakland Twp. with Jay & Ann Feldman of Birmingham. 8. Valet sponsor Huntington Bank’s Mike (left) & Susie Feezey of Farmington Hills with Syd Ross of Bloomfield. 9. Mary Stahl (left) of Farmington Hills, Tawnya Bender of Bloomfield, Joyce Russell of Warren and Jennie Cook of Birmingham.

10. Wells Fargo’s Dan Murphy of Bloomfield.

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Sunset at the Zoo More than 2,000 over-21s convened at the Detroit Zoo on June 22 for the annual Sunset at the Zoo chaired by Patricia Holtzman and Suzanne Lewand. More than 250 of them got there early for the VIP party for benefactors ($600) and patrons ($300) at the new Carousel. All strolled the 40 restaurant booths and many of them savored the lobster dogs (fresh lobster and greens in a mini bun with vinaigrette) served up

by Chef Ryan Senk and his Dining in the Wild team (the Zoo’s in-house caterer.) Performers from Detroit Flyhouse were especially popular as they demonstrated the event’s carnival theme. The Jerry Ross Band played dance music, taking a break for the live auction conducted by Dan Stall. Dinner for 35 on a private yacht was the top auction lot at $6,500. Two trips to San Francisco and Sonoma wine country sold for $5,500 each. A pair of Super Bowl tickets sold for $5,500. Two dinners for 12 on the zoo’s new Boardwalk went for $4,000 each and two African Safari dinners for 12 at the Zoo sold for $3,500 each. In all, the live auction raised $110,000.

Earlier in the month, 60 benefactors accepted the generous hospitality of devoted zoo supporters Shelley and Joel Tauber at their art-filled (inside and out) lakeside home. When all were seated with their buffet fare, Joel welcomed them. “I love entertaining. My wife does all the work. AlI have to do is say ‘yes’,” he confided. Then zoological society board chair Gail Warden thanked the sponsors and zoo director Ron Kagan praised the hosts, the board’s amazing vision, the staff, and Brooks Patterson for the zoo millage.

He also noted that the zoo has exploded with young creatures, including three rescued grizzly bear cubs that are dazzling the public. Each guest received a cuddly plush version of same.Replicas are for sale at the zoo’s Zoofari Market. Find a tempting list of special zoo events, including Wild Summer Nights Concerts (Wednesdays) at www.detroitzoo.org.

08.12

100 Women for the Arts Nearly a hundred supporters of the Detroit Institute of Arts attended a cocktail hour gathering at The Townsend June 27. Except for DIA director Graham Beal, they were all women. After some socializing and sipping, they listened to Beal briefly describe the various and dwindling forms of DIA financial support over the years and the need “…to fix the yoyo.” The event chair Alix Partners’ Barbara Gucfa explained her “aha moment” vis-a-vis the Aug. 7 millage vote to fund the DIA. When a colleague suggested that market forces should be allowed to decide, she realized the need to do something. Since “…women make the giving decisions,” 100 Women for the Arts was born. The DIA’s Annmarie Erickson reminded guests that the vote will be for each county’s arts authority, and then encouraged donations for the millage campaign vote and the purchase of $5 lawn signs by contacting Oakland County coordinator Jason Ellenburg at (248) 840-3544 or at jellenburg@gmail.com.

MIU Run for the Ribbon To promote the awareness, education, research and treatment of prostate cancer, more than 350 people attended the Michigan Institute of urology Men’s Health Foundation Run for the Ribbon Gala at Andiamo Warren. They socialized, dined and danced to the music of Simone Vitale. Many sported blue ribbons denoting the event’s male-focused health related issues. On Father’s Day, more than 1,600 people participated in the MIU Run for the Ribbon 5K Run/Walk at the Detroit Zoo. The women’s overall winner was Andrea Moss with a time of 21 minutes, 2 seconds. The men’s overall winner was Stephen Biebelhausen with a time of 16 minutes, 14 seconds. The events combined raised more than $185,000 for the cause.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Heroes Gala When guests arrived at The Max for the 2012 DSO Heroes Gala, a vintage Cadillac was parked on the sidewalk. Board member Floy Barthel and her husband Lee said they had driven it there to salute 2012 DSO Hero Lloyd Reuss, retired General Motors president. The honoree, along with event co-chairs Stanley Frankel, Mark Reuss, 2010 Hero Awardee Jim Nicholson, and Peter Remington, warmly greeted the 350 guests during downtownpublications.com

Sunset at the Zoo

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1. Event hosts Joel & Shelley Tauber of W. Bloomfield with Liz Luckenbach of Bloomfield. 2. Zoo board chair Gail Warden (left) of Grosse Pointe and Dr. Mark Kelley of Bloomfield. 3. John and Annette Piceu of Bloomfield. 4. Zoo director Ron Kagan (left) of Royal Oak with party host Shelley Tauber and her pals since school days Joy Nachman and Marilyn Victor of Bloomfield. 5. Board member David Page (left) and Dick Gabrys of Bloomfield. 6. Ira Jaffe (center) of Farmington Hills with board member Marilyn Way (left) and Chris Zantop of Bloomfield. 7. Spencer (left) and Myrna Partrich of Bloomfield and Rod and Loree Wasserman of Birmingham. 8. Liz Luckenbach (left) of Bloomfield with Joe and board vice chair Linda Wasserman Aviv of Birmingham.

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100 Women for the Arts

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1. Rosette Ajluni (left) and Maha Jano of Bloomfield and event chair Barbara Gucfa of Troy. 2. Heidi Ghafari (left), Iman Elias and Hodas Succar of Bloomfield with DIA director Graham Beal of Detroit. 3. Lisa London (left) of Franklin, Sharon Eisenshtadt of Bloomfield and Lynn Campbell of Birmingham. 4. Terri Joswick (left) and Marjory Basile of Birmingham, Tina Bassett of Farmington Hills and Mary Anne Gargaro of Grosse Pointe.

5. Diane Curis (left) and her daughter-in-law JJ Curis of Grosse Pointe, Kristen Lusn of Royal Oak and Birmingham spa owner Margot Kohler.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Detroit Symphony Orchestra Heroes Gala

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1. DSO 2012 Hero Lloyd Reuss (left) with his son Mark and wife Maurcine of Bloomfield. 2. Jan Lovins (left) of Royal Oak with her daughter Kim Reuss and Bonnie Larson of Bloomfield and Peggy Daitch of Birmingham.

3. Charlene Reuss Grandelius (left) and her husband Joel of Bloomfield and his mother Marty Grandielius of Birmingham. 4. Honorary co-chair Peter Remington (left) of Birmingham with Mayor Dave Bing of Detroit.

5. Jim Nicholson of Grosse Pointe with conductor Leonard Slatkin of Bloomfield. 6. Gary & Kay Cowger of Bloomfield. 7. Phyllis (left) and Steve Strome and Mort Harris of Bloomfield. 8. Sylvia (left) and Ed Hagenlocker and Lois and Gene Miller of Bloomfield.

9. Janice (left) and Norm Ankers of Beverly Hills with David and Elyse Foltyn of Birmingham. 10. Rick and Karen Willams of Bloomfield.

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the pre-concert social hour before they joined 1,200 more music lovers who came just for the Heroes Concert at Orchestra Hall. It was paused several times for people to pay tribute to Reuss. DSO maestro Leonard Slatkin, CEO Anne Parsons, musician Corbin Wagner, mayor Dave Bing, former fund development officer Remington, and son Mark Reuss praised his incomparable leadership of the DSO’s capital campaign, his 20 years on the board and, upon his retirement from GM, his outstanding and dedicated leadership of Focus HOPE. But it was his daughter Charlene Grandelius who touched all with reflections of her father which made him “… a sweet, gentle, brilliant soul, too good to be true, my hero, my father, my first love.” In his acceptance remarks, Reuss encouraged individuals from all walks of life to become uncommon heroes and translate values into action. Slatkin then presented Reuss a conductor’s baton which he used with gusto from his box seat when the orchestra played “The Stars and Stripes Forever” as confetti and streamers rained down. After the concert dinner, dancing in the atrium and al fresco breaks on the cigar terrace completed the memorable evening that was marked by true affection for the honoree and his dedication to the community. It raised more than $600,000 for the DSO. Music Hall’s Cars & Stars Music Hall supporters have come to expect stellar entertainment at the performing arts center’s annual gala and this year’s did not disappoint.

Nearly 300 accepted ‘the mission” themed to James Bond and Agent Double-O-Seven. Many dressed a la the theme and James Bond girl Patti Prowse won the first prize. After cocktails and dinner (plate service on stage for the $600 VIPs, buffet service in the Jazz Café for the $150 supporters), the performance featured Austin Powers flying down from the ceiling and Dr. Evil, aka Music Hall president Vince Paul, who had kidnapped star Sheena Easton for ransom. The $30,000 payment was satisfied when auctioneer Charles Wickins got folks to bid on five lots, including $3,000 for the Music Hall history quilt staffer Laura Raisch had lovingly made.

Then the released Easton sang her trademark songs and invited guests to join her on stage for dancing. The gala, chaired by lead sponsor Ford’s Jim Vella, raised $100,000.

08.12

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Music Hall’s Cars & Stars

Michigan Opera Theatre’s Bravo Bravo!

The same night as Cars and Stars, down the street at the Detroit Opera House some 2,900 mostly young professionals partied on all three floors, the stage, and in the parking lot at the 13th annual Bravo Bravo! The evening included dining and sipping on the stroll at more than 80 food and beverage stations catering to every taste from MGM Grand’s Ignite sushi to Sanders hot fudge sundaes, the latter being the special favorite of Hilary Golden. Entertainment was non-stop, with California-based Tha Boogie drawing rave reviews. The Color the Night Carnivale-inspired event raised a record $285,000 for Michigan Opera Theatre’s artistic and educational outreach endeavors.

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1. Maureen (left) & Frank Jerneycic and Daisey & Renato Ramos of Bloomfield. 2. Tim Shepherd (left) and Rita Dunker of Birmingham with Eleanor and Dick Gabrys of Bloomfield. 3. Patti Prowse of Bloomfield. 4. Allen Guigliotti & his wife Terry Barclay of Birmingham. 5. Diane Schoenith of Grosse Pointe and Sandy Duncan of Bloomfield.

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Michigan Opera Theatre’s Bravo Bravo!

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1. Seth & Hilary Golden of Birmingham.

2. Curtis Posuniak (left) and John Booth of Bloomfield. 3. Pamela Ayres (left) of Bloomfield and Monica Kemerko of Waterford.

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Angels’ Place’s Gin Rummy Tournament

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The Garden Party For its first three years, The Garden Party was staged on the playing fields at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, but the decision to relocate to Meadow Brook Hall for the 2012 event was decidedly sagacious. The wine and fine food al fresco affair attracted more people (700-plus), more classic cars, and raised more money. Proceeds

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1. Jim Nagle (left) of Bloomfield with his brothers Chris and Terry and Marty of Royal and their cousin Rob Nagle of Troy. 2. Bruce Brown (left) and Steve Wall of Bloomfield. 3. Mark Larco (left) of Bloomfield and Mike Heiwig of Birmingham.

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Angels’ Place’s Gin Rummy Tournament Five sons of the late Terry and Ray Nagle are continuing an event their fathers founded and loved – a men’s night out in Birmingham Country Club’s men’s grill. The 20th annual testosterone-laden evening, Angels’ Place’s Terry & Ray Nagle Memorial Gin Rummy Tournament, was the essence of male camaraderie – guys enjoying comestibles and spirits, playing cards and keeping an eye on the Tigers game on the big screen TV. Among the 64 players were several family teams: Brad and Trip Bosart, John and Bill Girardot, Stephen and Richard Cooper, Duane and Joe Banyai and Bill and Mike Henneghan. One constant in the last three years – the winning duo was Steven Wall and Bruce Brown. The evening netted $10,000 for AP, whose mission is the lifetime care in a Christian environment of folks with developmental disabilities. Tom MacLean and Kathy Kupelian are chairing another popular AP fund raiser – Family Fun Day - 1 - 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 at Detroit Country Day School’s’ West Maple Rd. campus. Games, food and fun for all ages are planned. For tickets, go to www.angelsplace.com or call (248) 350-2203.

benefited the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan ($40,000), the Oakland Community College Culinary Institute ($40,000) and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day event in memory of Georgia Siklich ($20,000), dear friend of the Garden Party Foundation founders Syd and Elizabeth Ross. The Suburban Collection presented the party to which 30 restaurants brought splendid edibles, ranging from The Lark’s salt-baked shrimp to Red Coat Tavern’s iconic beef burgers. The nearly 100 wine offerings ranged from Joseph Phelps-Premier Cru Classe 2006 Insignia, Napa ($169 per bottle) to some $10 and $15-per bottle pours, like L. Mawby’s MV Sex The weather was quite perfect and guests socialized around the terrace and gardens after perusing the stations in the festival tent. Children’s Leukemia supporters were also talking about their big food and wine fundraiser Crush Birmingham. It’s Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Townsend. For tickets, go to www.crushmichigan.com.

The John Ingold Invitational “John was a good friend and (developed) a wonderful program,” declared Susan Cooper, at Beaumont Foundation’s Drive to Beat Breast Cancer – the Dr. John A. Ingold Invitational. Event chair emeritus and co-founder, she was speaking to the 225 supporters at the dinner party which concluded a day of bridge and golf at Bloomfield Hills Country Club. The 17th annual event attracted 178 bridge players and 214 golfers. It netted $130,000, bringing to $2.7-million the total amount raised for Beaumont’s Comprehensive Breast Care Center programs. It was chaired by Martha Quay and Barry Brink and recognized Dr. Betsy Washburn as the John Ingold Distinguished Fellow in Breast Cancer. In addition to Beaumont patients, there were event winners. Low net scores were posted by Tom Strickland, Mike Smith, Rob Denious, Clifford Mezey and Karen Luther, Rita Kroetsh, Martha Palmer, Nancy McDonough for A.M. play, Ryan Marsh, Kirk Czarnecki, Harry Lomason, Ted Spicer and Bob Skandalaris, Todd Webber, Lindsey Solberg, Bob Kerch for P.M. play. Golf skill contests were won by Nancy McDonoughy, Adam Dee, Anita Taylor, Jack Christian, Rob Denious, Nancy McDonough, Subra Sripada and Vickie Hollingsworth Shuler.

Bridge players Janis Race, Fritzi Mayer, Nancy Buck and Barbara Bowman won prizes donated

by Tappers Jewelers.

Wonder Woman Celebration When honorees are introduced by someone who knows them well, the audience is often treated to inside jokes. For example, when Detroitboosting public relations executive Sandy Hermanoff’s husband Michael told about their first date, she jokingly wondered if he was “hot pants Hermanoff.” And Shirley Bryant revealed that two-time Birmingham mayor Coco Siewert is known as Birmingham’s “sewer queen.”

Hermanoff, Siewert, and Pontiac booster Teresa Rodges were the three 2012 Wonder Women honored by the Women’s Officials Network Foundation downtownpublications.com

The Garden Party

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1. Event founders Syd (left) and Elizabeth Ross of Bloomfield with WJR gm Tom O’Brien of Birmingham and his sister Nancy and Lou Grech-Cumbo of Clarkston. 2. Candace (left) and Dan Sebold with vintners Vickie and Tom Celani of Bloomfield. 3. CLF’s Bill Seklar (left) of Bloomfield with board chair Gary Gonzalez and his wife Chris of Clarkston.

4. David and Asia Iafrata of Bloomfield. 5. Renee Godin (center) of Farmington Hills with Diana Johnson (left) and Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield. 6. Lauren (left) and John Grobbel of Royal Oak with John’s parents Tom and Nan Grobbel of Birmingham. 7. Maria and Bill Roberts of Bloomfield. 8. Frank (left) and Kim Campanale of Orchard Lake with Fran Debreczeny of Sylvan Lake and Julie Kowalik of Bloomfield. 9. Dave Kondas (left) and Norman Yatooma of Bloomfield with Eric Raftery of Royal Oak. 10. Bonnie Jobe (left) of Bloomfield, Annette Liyana of Huntington Woods, Anne Harrell of Rochester, Patty Pozios of Dearborn and Roula Tsaprailis of St. Claire Shores.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK during the dinner program. It was emceed by Sue Nine, who co-founded the event with Maggie Allesee for the now defunct Women’s Survival Center. The evening also offered a silent auction, jewelry boutique and raffle. Past honorees in attendance were also saluted. Proceeds support projects designed to “…get more women at the table where public policy is made,” according to foundation president Cynthia von Oeyen. One such is the Girl Scouts’ Camp Moxie for girls of high school age which focuses on philanthropy, entrepreneurship and elected office.

The John Ingold Invitational

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1. Honorary chair Sally Ingold (left) and Sharing and Caring cofounder Frannie Greenebaum of Bloomfield. 2. Event chair emeritus Susan Cooper (left) of Birmingham, fellowship recipient Dr. Betsy Washburn of Royal Oak and Beaumont’s Dr. Nayna Dekne of W. Bloomfield. 3. Hospital board chair Steve Howard with his wife Diana (left) of Franklin and committee member Nancy Strickland of Bloomfield. 4. Jack Christian (left) of Bloomfield and event co-chair Barry Brink of Beverly Hills. 5. Gayla and committee member Bob Emde of Bloomfield. 6. Kent Teeters (left) of Canton, Ted Wassom and Bill Goldsmith of Bloomfield and committee member Jan Mann of Birmingham. 7. Committee member Carla Grava (center) of Birmingham with Clare (left) and Kay Higby of Bloomfield.

Franklin Garden Walk Lynn Chodbury and Eliana Ferreira chaired the 27th annual Franklin Garden Club’s tour of six gardens. In their diversity each illustrated the 2012 theme – Successful Gardens, Patterns and Elements. More than 1,000 people toured the gardens; 188 of them also did lunch catered by the club members at St. Owen Church and most took time to peruse the Michigan made arts and crafts displayed around the Franklin Green gazebo where they got their tour wrist bands. Elizabeth Simko, Karen Dewald, Mary Jane Majors, Cindy Lovett, Susan Chambers, Judy Adelman, Teri Tietmeyer and Pat Ciagne comprised the event committee that five days later celebrated the event’s success ($12,000-plus for educational programs) when the club had a luncheon meeting and tour at the Saint Sabbas Monastery. It’s situated on six acres of award-winning gardens in Harper Woods. For information about the club, which welcomes new members, go to www.FranklinGardenClub.org or call (248) 864-0900.

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1. Honoree Teresa Rodges (left) and her husband Larry of Bloomfield with board member Debbie Macon of W. Bloomfield. 2.

Honoree Coco Siewert (left) of Birmingham, Steve Schoeberlein of Detroit and Charlotte Mahrt of Bloomfield. 3. Michael (left) & honoree Sandy Hermanoff of Bingham Farms with Jacqui Gard of Troy and Merle Harris of Bloomfield. 4. Foundation president Cynthia von Oeyen (left) of Bloomfield with Chuck Gosk and his wife Shirley Bryant of Lathrup Village. 5. Pam Hoffman (left) of W. Bloomfield, Sally Doty and Geri Rinschler of Birmingham. 6. Millie Pastor (left) Maggie Allesee and Sue Nine of Bloomfield. 7.

Dorothy Warren (left) of Bingham Farms, Shula Brown of W. Bloomfield and Evelyn Simon 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.

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1. Enid Hilton Brown (left) of Franklin, co-chair Eliana Ferreira of Bingham Farms and Shally Williams of Troy at the Gazebo. 2. Garden club members Molly Hammerle (left) Phyllis Ashinger, and Shirley Jeffrey of Franklin. 3. Laura Miller at the Gazebo in Franklin, co-chair of Artisan Market.

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Birmingham In The Garden The newest of the local garden walks was staged July 14 by the Missions Team and Landscape Committee of Birmingham First United Methodist Church. Boy Scouts from Birmingham Troop 1032 directed traffic at the church where the 300 visitors picked up their tour cards directing them to the five unique gardens, one of which reportedly showcases the largest daylily collection in the United States. Upwards of 1,300 registered daylilies, some as old as the year 1500, are arranged by the decade of their registration within LaVere Webster’s 3-acre garden on South Blvd.

Nancy Smith’s meandering and terraced Bloomfield Hills gardens featured more than 100 roses inspired by her beloved grandmother. Dr. Andy Berry’s estate on Green Lake offered a variety of spectacular gardens. Ann Windley’s intown Birmingham garden featured a serene pond that looks like God placed it there and event coordinator Jay Shell’s paths and beds spilled out onto an expanse of lawn inspired by the open spaces in Central Park. The event raised nearly $3,000 to help underwrite youth participation in international mission trips. Shell promises a second tour around the same time next summer.

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ENDNOTE

Rail District ready for prime time

B

irmingham's Rail District, the industrial, off-beat and funky area demarcated as south of Maple, north of Lincoln and east of Eton roads, has slowly been redefining itself from its once industrial roots off of the Amtrak rails.

Restaurateur Norm LePage helped begin the changeover when he transformed the magnificent—but unneeded—Birmingham train station into the Big Rock Chop House, breathing new life into the area. He has continued as a champion of the area, as an investor in residential lofts with District Lofts, creating a banquet facility with The Reserve, and this year, breaking ground in July on the Griffin Claw Brewery Company, a new microbrewery, restaurant, tasting room and beer garden destined for 563 and 575 S. Eton.

The area has attracted many unique businesses and retailers seeking to flourish in an area that is a little off-beat. Its artsy character and family-friendly atmosphere contribute to a uniqueness which separates it from other areas of Birmingham. Two new significant residential developments have been

announced in recent months by established developers which will help to continue the transformation from an industrial area to a live/work/play community. Both developers, Moceri Companies with IronGate, and Steuer & Associates with Villa Lofts, were excited to be part of what Dominic Moceri called “the Soho of Birmingham.”

These kinds of significant developments are helping to move the Rail District forward as both a destination and an area for continued development. Success usually follows success, and these projects will hopefully lead to others coming into the district. The Rail District is finally ready for prime time, and we encourage the city of Birmingham to follow through to support the private sector in its efforts. Large investors, like LePage, Moceri, and Steuer, rightly assume that all of the infrastructure requirements on the part of the city are being met, just as the city requires them to fulfill their end. It's disconcerting that some essentials are being strung out.

The area has long been talked about as a walkable area, like the rest of Birmingham,

which touts itself as a walkable community.

Sidewalks throughout the area are in disastrous shape, and special assessments for redoing the sidewalks are continually being postponed. Now, the assessments are “probably being done next month,” according to the city's community development department. The time to redo the sidewalks is long overdue. Redo them now, and make the area walkable for everyone, those already living and working in the Rail District, and those who would like to move in with the new residential developments.

Branding of the Rail District with appropriate signage and lighting has been under discussion for a long time, as well, and it's time to move them off the back burner and spend the minimal amount of money it would take to create clear directional and area signage, with excellent lighting, for the district.

Clean up the area. Brand it. Do the right thing. Capture the public's interest while it's hot, and the city, as well as residents and businesses, will reap the rewards.

August primary endorsements recapped

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ere's a recap of our August 7 primary election endorsements which first appeared in our July issue. We present these for those voters in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township who will be going to the polls to decide several primary races, including the 40th District Michigan House of Representatives, a public safety millage renewal in Bloomfield Township, a countywide millage for the Detroit Institute of Arts, and a millage renewal for those communities that offer bus transportation with SMART.

State Representative /40th District Four Republican candidates are vying for the open 40th District Michigan House seat which state Rep. Chuck Moss (R) will be vacating in January because of terms limits.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Dorian Coston in November.

Fortunately, voters are faced with a good field, including Birmingham Public Schools Trustee Robert Lawrence, Bloomfield Hills Commissioner Mike McCready and Oakland County Commissioner DAVID POTTS, who we believe is the best choice in this primary field.

Elections are always a question of alternatives, so while all three candidates

have something to recommend to voters, Potts would seem to be the best prepared to take on the Democratic party contender in November and hit the ground running in Lansing should he ultimately succeed in the general election.

Bloomfield Millage Renewal Bloomfield Township voters will be asked to renew a 10-year, 2.39-mill tax for public safety services. This tax provides a portion of the township's costs for public safety services and is expected to generate $7.41 million in the first year of renewal.

There's simply no question about this issue.

Voters should vote YES on this millage to maintain public safety in the township at its current level.

SMART Tax Renewal Voters in Birmingham and Bloomfield Township will be asked to renew a .59-mill public transportation tax. It is a two-year renewal, collected in 2012 and 2013, for the purpose of providing public transportation under the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation or SMART. Bloomfield Hills voters will not cast ballots on this issue because the community

has chosen to opt out of SMART system.

The millage was last approved in 2010 and this renewal will continue SMART bus service for Birmingham and Bloomfield Township.

Bus transportation service in metro Detroit is recognizably a seriously flawed situation, which leaders throughout the area, as well as at federal and state levels, are working to rectify. We recommend voting YES to maintain SMART bus service in Birmingham and Bloomfield, and hope that in 2014, when this millage expires, there is a new regional transportation solution.

Oakland County/DIA Tax Voters in Oakland County are being asked to approve a .2-mill, 10-year tax proposal to help fund a county authority to support the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

Macomb County and Wayne County officials are also requesting their voters approve a similar millage but Macomb will only levy their tax if two of the three counties approve it.

Without doubt, the DIA is important to maintain. So we recommend voting YES, although we would have preferred to see a regional authority established for this regional asset .

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www.hallandhunter.com

Connecting to the world 442 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009 | 248.644.3500

With our afďŹ liation with Christie’s International Real Estate, Hall and Hunter Realtors is able to offer our luxury clients unparalleled marketing exposure around the world as well as in our local market.

For your private view, visit www.christiesrealestate.com & www.hallandhunter.com