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TALE OF TWO DOWNTOWNS: BIRMINGHAM VERSUS ROCHESTER WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE THREAT OF PHTHALATES

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BLOOMFIELD 3709 Wabeek Lake Drive West | $375,000 Spacious, free-standing Wabeek condo. First floor master with 2 WIC. Walkout LL. Screened-in porch and deck overlooks wooded grounds. 2-car garage.

4,166 Total SF | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 2 Half Baths

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Dramatic DesRosiers contemporary on breathtaking Tobocman gem in park-like setting! Travertine floors and 1.3 acre site. Architectural elements flow seamlessly sky lights. First floor master suite. Walkout lower level with theater room. Gilbert Lake privileges. from the inside out. Spectacular master suite.

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DOWNTOWN06.16

88

Tale of Two Cities: Birmingham and Rochester Downtown reporter Kevin Elliott takes a look at how two communities – Birmingham and Rochester – have handled development of their thriving downtown areas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

20

A perceived if not outright conflict of interest on the part of two Oakland County elected officials relative to pending online gambling legislation brings a renewed call for transparency legislation in Lansing, along with increased ethics rules and financial disclosure.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

27

Our column on politics/government details the latest gossip, including employee discontent in the county clerk's office; Bloomfield political antics and a madman's ramblings; pols looking at the future; county hopeful hiring Lansing firm; and other items of interest.

CRIME LOCATOR

31

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

MUNICIPAL

93

Baldwin Library millage increase; new life for vacant city land; added temporary Birmingham parking coming; brownfield money for Peabody site approved; board rejects audit request again; township sued over water/sewer fees; plus more.

FRONT/BACK

122

Katie Deska gives us the the latest on what’s happening in the front and the back of the house in metro Detroit area restaurants with a series of short takes on the latest news and gossip for the industry.

THE COVER A scene from the Birmingham Village Fair, presented by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber each year. This year's event, the 53rd, takes place Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 5, in the Shain Park area of downtown Birmingham. The fair is the major fundraiser for the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, which also shares proceeds with local community groups. Further information and ride wristbands available at bbcc.com.

Downtown photo.

37

Military recruiting in schools High schools across the country are required to give access to student information for military recruiters or risk losing federal funds.

46 Every day phthalate threat Phthalates are in make-up, the plastic bottles from which you drink, the cars you drive – just as starters. And they are a health threat.

44

Jeffrey and Jane Imerman

FACES SOCIAL LIGHTS

127

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

ENDNOTE

134

Our thoughts on the successful growth and management of cities, as exemplified by Birmingham and Rochester.

32 44 57 85 106

Samantha “Banks” Schefman Jeffrey and Jane Imerman Bobbi and Stephen Polk Elizabeth Burns Corey Gut

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Vote Tuesday AUGUST 2ND in the Republican Primary

Standard & Poor’s knows what’s good Let’s keep the good going

The township has had its Standards & Poor’s AAA bond rating renewed three times under Savoie’s leadership. This is the highest rating possible, and issued to only a few entities in Michigan. This AAA rating means Standards & Poor’s has confidence in the fiscal management of the Township.

S&P recognized the Township’s strong management, good financial policies and practices and strong budgetary performance with a high level of reserve funds. S&P goes on to conclude that the financial outlook for Bloomfield Township is stable because of its consistent financial performance and good management.

Keep Leo Savoie Bloomfield Township Supervisor PAID FOR BY RETAIN LEO SAVOIE BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR, 3847 OAKLAND DR., BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48301

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Katie Deska | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf J. March | Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in downtown Birmingham.

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.

INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK 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 written letters or electronic communication.

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

If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER early May hearing before a Michigan Senate committee of which Mike Kowall is a member.

s a general rule, gathering information each month and finally sitting down to bang out my column for the current issue, I attempt to avoid revisiting a subject on which I have recently written. But this month I feel I had little choice but to return once more to the topic of the lack of transparency in the halls of the Michigan legislature, and the need for increased regulations relative to ethical concerns.

A

Detroit Free Press writer Paul Egan broke with a story on May 15 outlining what has all the appearances of a conflict of interest on the part of Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall, a Republican representing the 15th District, which includes West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake and a number of west Oakland lakes area communities, and his wife Eileen, currently an Oakland County Commissioner from District 6, comprising White Lake, where they reside, and part of Waterford.

I should at this point acknowledge that I have known Mike Kowall for a number of years, dating back to when he was first in the Michigan House in the 1998-2002 period and then as supervisor for White Lake Township before first being elected to the Senate in 2010, having covered him as I ran a western Oakland County publishing group for over three decades.

As far as someone in my position can legitimately have friends who are in government, I would consider both Mike and Eileen in that class.

Like everyone else, that does not give them, so to speak, a “get our of jail card” if they cross an ethical line, real or perceived, which they very well may have in this case because it certainly does not pass the proverbial smell test.

Eileen Kowall is a registered lobbyist with the state of Michigan, employed by MGS Consultants of Lansing. Nothing new there. Our Oakland Confidential gossip column first carried that information a couple of months earlier. Interestingly, when confronted with a question about her lobbying while on the county board, Eileen responded that she has maintained a low profile on the issue because “people will use it to attack me,” especially if she seeks to replace her husband in the Michigan Senate when his current term expires. Eileen was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2009-2014, and prior to that was a county commissioner from 2003-2008.

Detroit Free Press reporter Egan's piece quoted MGS Consultants founder Jeremiah Mankopf as saying that there was no conflict because he was actually the lead member of his firm that was working on the Internet gaming bill and has been for a number of years, long before Eileen Kowall was hired, after she left the House in December of 2014, rejoined the county board of commissioners and then became a registered lobbyist in February of 2015. Mike Kowall, the Detroit Free Press tells us, dismissed the possible conflict because his wife is not “working directly” on this project, even though she attended the early May hearing with other members of MGS Consultants.

Unfortunately, we have no way of attempting to confirm what we are being told by Senator Kowall because the rules and law are lacking when it comes financial disclosure, conflict of interest and access to lawmakers' records because they were essentially not included in any government disclosure legislation that has been adopted in the past.

So I use this space, once again, to ask readers of this publication to take a moment to weigh in with their state Representatives and Senators to urge passage of pending legislation (Legislative Open Records Act) and extension of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the governor's office. The two, which have now moved to the House floor, would allow the public and the press to use the FOIA to gain access to documents in situations like this.

Some of you already e-mailed me when you took time to do this back in April, but we need even more of you to help bring pressure on behalf of these proposals, although they are not perfect and just a start on reforming how business is conducted in Lansing.

If we can get this legislation passed, then work can start – either through the legislature (doubtful) or a ballot issue – to require some form of financial disclosure on the part of Lansing officials and some restriction – at least a waiting period – on the revolving door that allows lawmakers to leave office and then immediately begin lobbying their former colleagues, and other mandates on legislative ethics. All long overdue.

Michigan Senate

Her duel income position and possible conflicts were noted, I am told, by more than one person at the recent Senate GOP Annual Fundraiser in Lansing, with one fellow lobbyist even noting that she was going to have to “decide between the two soon,” perhaps an omen of what the couple is now facing.

Eileen's lobbying firm/employer, a five employee operation, has been retained by the Amaya Gaming Group, a subsidiary of Amaya Services Ltd., a Canadian online gaming company that is pushing nationally and on a state-by-state basis to get online gambling and poker playing legalized in this country. MGS Consultants of Lansing, first formed in 2007, is ranked by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network as number 17 among the top 200 lobbying firms in our state.

Mike Kowall, now in his second term as a senator and as Majority Floor Leader, is one of the prime proponents of Senate Bill 889 that would open the door for Internet gambling by existing state casinos. Among the multiple backers of this bill is the Amaya Gaming Group, which sent officials to an

Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills: Marty Knollenberg – senmknollenberg@senate.michigan.gov Bloomfield Township, Oakland Township: Jim Marleau – jimmarleau@senate.michigan.gov Michigan House Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township: Mike McCready – mikemccready@house.mi.gov Rochester, Rochester Hills: Michael Webber – michaelwebber@house.mi.gov David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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INCOMING Muslim leaders interview This was a much needed interview with all the misconceptions going around these day about Muslims (May/Downtown).

I have been studying Islam since 9/11 and since then have many Muslim friends.

Great people. A very peaceful religion.

My daughter lives in Bloomfield Hills which is where I read your article.

I also shared the article with a relative who has been brainwashed with Islamophobia.

Thanks very much for this article.

I hope you're getting a good response.

Rob Reading Highland

Downtown Faces Thank you for the beautiful article in the Faces section of Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield (May/Downtown).

I have received many compliments about the story and photo. People took note of your introduction about my dream for insurance coverage of yoga therapy and you covered the essence of my message.

With much appreciation and a huge Namaste.

Mindy Eisenberg Franklin

Marijuana ballot issue I received your marijuana legalization article (April/Downtown).

Thanks for sending. Very nicely written and thorough.

Jeffrey A. Hank Attorney/MILegalize East Lansing

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.

Woodward drag racing We are Birmingham residents, living on S. Old Woodward. We expect to hear traffic noises, living on Woodward. What we don't expect is hearing constant drag racing of motorcycles and cars every evening but most especially on Friday nights.

We watched the same motorcycle rev its engine and take off after a car, drag racing down Woodward at dangerous speeds at least a dozen, annoying times. We have to turn our TV volume up to a ridiculous level just to enjoy hearing the program.

Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale all regulate this dangerous and annoying activity by patrolling and ticketing, which protects innocent drivers, respects nearby residents while at the same time successfully resulting in ticketing income for those cities.

May we ask why we don't see Birmingham police doing the same?

We'd really appreciate seeing that happen.

Name withheld upon request Birmingham

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REACH ABSENTEE VOTERS IN JULY DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE A growing percentage of registered voters are using the absentee ballot to cast their votes. So speak to them in the July issue of Downtown, mailed to homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills starting Monday, June 27.

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip items, both on and off-the-record, compiled by staff members of Downtown. Possible items for this column can be sent to OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

Ebenezer incarnate: Oakland Confidential first heard rumors of staff rumblings at the office of Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown shortly after the Christmas holidays. As the story goes, Brown no longer allowed the staff potluck holiday lunch that reportedly was a tradition of sorts for many years, with the office supposedly kept functioning by various employees taking their turn at the counter while others celebrated. While at first quick to dismiss the complaint, now we are hearing from sources who do not have a “dog in the fight” in this year’s clerk election that there is a sense of unhappiness in general among the staff there. As the tale goes, there have either been staff BROWN defections or talk by others of leaving the office depending on what happens this election season. Some lay the blame for what’s described as a disheartened staff on an aloofness on the part of Brown; others say there is little communication coming from her office.

Charting the future: It’s always interesting to see who shows at the annual Michigan Senate Republican fundraiser each year in terms of who may be prospecting for the future, as the expression goes. Liz Fessler Smith, daughter of former west Oakland Michigan Senator Richard Fessler (eight years in the House and eight in the Senate), made the rounds with her father at this year’s event, which helped bring the total Senate re-election fund to something in the neighborhood of $1.4 million. Liz Fessler Smith, now a candidate for trustee in White Lake Township, spent a couple of years working with the central party committee and other Republican causes, and lost by 245 votes in the 2014 GOP primary for the 44th House district to now incumbent Jim Runestad, who had been a county SMITH commissioner. Some say Runestad has not turned out to be a favorite among the legislative and lobbying crowd, but could possibly still seek the 15th District Michigan Senate seat held now by Senator Mike Kowall, if Mike’s wife, Eileen, former House member and current county commissioner, doesn’t go for it 2018, leaving an open path for Liz as one option for the future.

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Tickets are limited!

Thursday, June 23 6-8:30pm | Tickets $150 Proceeds benefit education & ArtAccess programs at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.

New York-based Israeli painter Yigal Ozeri will join us to talk about his work in the hosts’ collection. He is best known for his large-scale cinematic portraits of young women in transcending landscapes. His photo-realistic oil paintings convey the spirit of his subjects in a grant array of natural settings.

Bloomfield blusterings: The political campaign in Bloomfield Township is taking its cue from sentiments within Township Hall – meaning its already pretty nasty, with a surveillance tape in the front lobby following a planning commission meeting capturing perennial gadfly Marcia Robovitsky giving the security camera the “finger,” while candidate for trustee Jeff Axt made a crude gesture and township treasurer Dan Devine, who is running for re-election, huddling with them and laughing. This followed an encounter at the planning meeting where many observers believed Axt was trying to provoke supervisor Leo Savoie into a physical confrontation, while Devine watched. Bloomfield Township police have been alerted to attend all meetings, public and private, as protection for staff, trustees, committee members and the public, against certain “rogue” individuals.

Earlier this spring, prior to the April 19 candidate filing deadline, township residents with a landline (fewer and fewer these days) received a 10-minute robocall that, if recipients listened all the way through, appeared to question their loyalty to Devine over Savoie, and seemed to test the waters for a Devine run for supervisor against his nemesis. It looked like Devine chickened out, and will face KEPES trustee Brian Kepes for treasurer in August. Devine did induce cohorts to join a slate to oppose incumbents, with Dave Thomas running against Savoie for supervisor, and Susie Kern running against longtime clerk Jan Roncelli. downtownpublications.com

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Kepes is mounting a fierce campaign to challenge the 17-year incumbent, holding a recent fundraiser where 200-plus attended, including every township department head and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who not only endorsed Kepes over Devine, but introduced Kepes to the crowd. At trustee meetings, Kepes has been exposing and challenging Devine’s chronic financial inefficiency, and holding his feet to the fire, despite Devine’s repeated pandering to a few vocal residents. As Kepes said at his fundraiser, referencing Devine’s “whistleblower” lawsuit against Bloomfield Township and Savoie, which was thrown out at the circuit court level in December 2015, but Devine has appealed, costing township residents thousands of dollars, “If you were in the private sector, would you rehire someone for another four years who was suing you?” Devine just launched a re-election website, and while he’s running once again for treasurer, the platform he is espousing PATTERSON targets Savoie, as he repeatedly does in trustee meetings.

Upon seeing the website, one notable, longtime township employee said, “Talk about the ramblings of a madman.”

Rear view mirror: Hindsight isn’t always 20/20. Just ask former state legislator Chuck Moss, who is currently running for the 12th District Oakland County Commission seat currently held by fellow Republican Shelley Goodman Taub. In January, Moss wrote an editorial column for Dome Magazine slamming the Democratic leadership in Flint for the city’s water woes. In the piece, Moss both defends the governor’s slow response to the water crisis, stating “Can you blame the governor for going slow on taking over more functions of a Democratic, African-American political stronghold,” while MOSS throwing Flint officials, then working under the direction of the governor’s appointed emergency manager, under the bus: “So, what’cha got here is a crisis made by policy decided by Democrats, implemented by Democrats, in a city run for decades by Democrats, whose fall is a slow-motion tragedy.” In February, Moss cited a Downtown Publications article about lead with the following epiphany: “I was wrong.” Moss said he’s now working with county officials to address infrastructure needs throughout Oakland County.

Specifically, trying to identify funds to replace aging lead and copper pipes at aging homes. However, Taub recently introduced a resolution to call for a special county committee to look into the matter. “The intent is to call experts from the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office and elsewhere to get info to people who suspect their water isn’t OK,” she said. Meanwhile, Moss said he has hired Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resources Group to assist with his campaign for Taub’s seat, an unusual move for a local office. “They are putting together a lot of stuff, and it works better than the stuff I come up with on my own that I write on my computer,” he said.

Sounds good to us, Chuck.

Where’s Waldo: That may be the question residents are asking in West Bloomfield, after two-term supervisor Michele Economu Ureste decided to run for trustee in the primary election for 2016, instead of supervisor, and then suddenly withdrew. Political observers thought she and longtime trustee Steve Kaplan were going to pull a bait-andswitch at the last minute, after Kaplan went around gathering signatures for supervisor, and Ureste gathered signatures for trustee.

But no. Come filing time in April, Kaplan, an assistant prosecuting attorney, first for Macomb County, currently with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, had filed for supervisor. Kaplan has been a trustee for 12 years, and will face Sam Logan Khaleghi in his first run for supervisor. Ureste, who announced on March 16 to the Oakland Press that she would be seeking a third term as West Bloomfield supervisor, filed for trustee on April 19, the filing deadline, but withdrew on April 21. No word on why. downtownpublications.com

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FACES Samantha “Banks” Schefman t’s kind of in my genetic code to be a creator,” said Samantha “Banks” Schefman, jewelry designer and co-founder of Playground Detroit.

Her father, Robert, is a painter, and her mother, Christine, is the director for contemporary art at the David Klein Gallery. “Growing up with an artist and a gallery director, my whole life I was surrounded by the arts.”

After graduating from Groves High School, Schefman attended the University of Iowa to study photography and psychology, but left for the Center for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, where she was drawn to metalsmithing and jewelry.

“I thought I would be a doctor, but it turns out my body and mind don’t work that way. I knew there was money in stones and metal, and I was inspired by Tom Madden, from CCS. It was a combination of practicality, a love for shiny things, and great advisors and mentors.”

Three of Schefman’s fine jewelry pieces, all part of her senior thesis show, are on exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum. “I may never make work like it again,” she said. “Because of the constrictions of living in a small space, I was only doing low-tech soldering work, with a very teeny handheld torch pen.”

Shortly after graduating from CCS in 2009, she was invited to interview at Haskell Jewels in New York, the company that designed for Betsey Johnson, a playful, glitzy brand. In her portfolio, Schefman displayed a pair of silver and copper enamel earrings.

“They said ‘This is so Betsey,’ and pretty much offered me a job on the spot,” she recalled. “They needed a watch designer and someone taught me the shortcuts on (Adobe) Illustrator, and I had the capacity to design at a deeper level.”

While working as a designer at Haskell, where she also did hand sketching, Schefman partnered with Paulina Petkoski and founded Playground Detroit in 2011, a platform designed to connect creatives from Detroit and New York through events and artist residencies “to retain the talent in Detroit, but give (artists) opportunities in culture-rich cities like New York,” said Schefman.

After leaving Haskell Jewels in 2013, Schefman returned to “making my own metalsmith work, and we started doing more events in New York. Eventually I began freelancing for brands like Juicy Couture and Henri Bendel,” she said.

Within a few years of the launch of Playgound Detroit, Schefman and her business partner had moved back to their home state, and have stayed active curating shows, hosting interviews, and providing additional services to artists via their gallery space, which was located in a Corktown loft until a couple months ago.

“We’re in a program called Motor City Match,” said Schefman.

“It’s a federally-funded program to match businesses with a building. Late this fall, we’ll open a brick and mortar between Eastern Market and West Village. We’re really excited.”

In the meantime, Playground Detroit is housed at Ponyride, “an incubator organization in Corktown,” said Schefman, who’s also working on her own line of costume and fine jewelry.

I

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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MILITARY HOW OAKLAND HIGH SCHOOLS DEAL

WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATE

RECRUITMENT

BY KATIE DESKA

Although few high school teens are eligible to enlist in the armed forces, federal law requires that the majority of secondary schools across the country provide military recruiters with the names, address, and phone numbers of students who have not exclusively requested otherwise. Throughout Oakland County, schools work to interpret that in a variety of ways.

Mandated since 2001, schools that receive funding through the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and do not qualify under the religious objection to service in the armed forces, must comply with the federal regulation by issuing military recruiters with a list of directory information when they request it, and provide recruiters with the “same access to students” that the school gives to any other higher education institution and prospective employers. Failure to do so is grounds for denial of federal funds.

Section 9528 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended as NCLB, provides that schools must inform parents of the recruiting policy and notify parents of the right to optout of having their child’s personal information distributed to recruiters for the armed forces. The way the law is written, opting in is the default selection, thus benefiting recruiters, placing the burden on the student/parent to take action on something they may stumble across only once in a jumbled stack of enrollment papers.

Rep. David Vitter (R-LA) sponsored the amendment to NCLB in 2001, which created the policy that mandates military recruiters receive access to student information. In summary, the amendment “requires any secondary school that receives ESEA funds to permit regular U.S. Armed Services recruitment activities on school grounds, in a manner reasonably accessible to all its students.”

Each branch of the military is responsible for recruiting its own members, and, aiming to meet their annual recruitment goal, recruiters target high schools, among other venues.

Today, recruiters visiting high school campuses, and setting up a table in the cafeteria, is quite common. Yet, they were not always welcomed. In 1999, it was reported by the Pentagon that recruiters who requested access to schools were refused 19,228 times. In the 1990s, roughly one-third of American high schools denied recruiters access to student directory information and refused to give let them reach students on the school grounds. Doing so made recruiting a more expensive, stressful and timely endeavor.

The Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion of the United States Army Recruiting Command, 3rd Brigade, is responsible for recruiting Michiganders in the Lower Peninsula to join the Army. Mark Czarnecki, chief of Army public affairs and advertising, based in Lansing, noted the Army seeks to fulfill 30 percent of its recruitment goal through high school seniors. Graduates are expected to fulfill the remaining 70 percent of the recruitment goal.

“Only three out of 10 (students) are qualified to join the army because of academics, meaning they fail the ASVAB or medical or (have) too many law violations,” Czarnecki said. “You've got the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and everybody is competing for those three, not just the armed forces, but the colleges too. The Army is the largest branch of service. The Army and the National Guard put in more people than all the (other) services combined.”

The method of reaching the student, said Czarnecki, depends on

the prospective recruit. “It depends on the senior’s dominant buying motive – what is that senior’s reason for joining – to serve their country, for college money, for job security? By and large for Michigan it’s college, the continuing education. What is their motivation? Why do they want to buy the Army?”

Although the provision in NCLB requires that schools make students and parents aware of the military recruitment presence and their right to opt out of having directory information shared, there is no national standard or guidelines of the methods by which schools should notify families, which leaves it up to the discretion of each school's administration to determine how to spread awareness.

Results from schools surveyed in Oakland County show a variety of methods of disseminating the information, and leaves unanswered the question of how successful their method is in reaching the parents and students.

The Waterford School District notifies parents “annually in the districtwide newsletter,” said Rhonda Lessel, director of community relations. The Waterford district requests that, “parents or eligible students notify the superintendent in writing within two weeks of the notice.” In 2013-2014, two students opted out of receiving military recruitment information; in 2014-2015, three students opted out; and in 2015-2016, five students opted out, according to Lessel.

Comparatively, Jessica Stilger, communication supervisor for the Berkley School District, said, “Parents are notified through the annual online paperless packet system that contains all the back-to-school paperwork for all students each year. They do have the option to opt out of military recruitment.” The percentage of students opting out in Berkley Schools increased over the last three years. For 2013-2014, 32.7 percent opted out, followed by 38.3 in the 2014-2015 school year, and over half the students opted out for the most recent school year, at 51 percent, or 152 out of 298 students.

Rochester Community Schools received even more opt-out forms. In the 2013-2014 school year, over half of all seniors in Rochester Community Schools opted out of having their personal information made available to military recruiters, reported Lori Grein, director of community relations and foundation, who said 876 of 1,232 students opted out. The following year, 69 percent, or 799 students of 1,157 students, opted out; and for the year coming to a close, 46 percent, or 560 of 1,203 students, opted out.

The district provides seniors with a “registration packet in August that includes a form for parents to complete if they do not want their student to be contacted by a recruiter,” said Grein. “The completed form is then turned into the district.”

In Bloomfield Hills Schools, the notice is disseminated during registration “There is a document that parents and students must sign to opt out. This document is available and offered to all students in the building one time a year,” said Shira Good, director of communications and community relations for the district. “The document is also offered to all new students when they arrive at the high school to register for classes.”

Good noted that, “We do not keep specific numbers but it is approximately one-third of the student body each year” that opt out of having their information made available to recruiters.

Birmingham Public Schools “provides an opt out letter for parents in the fall of each year,” said Marcia Wilkinson, director of

IN THE 1990S, ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD OF AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS DENIED RECRUITERS ACCESS TO STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION AND REFUSED TO GIVE LET THEM REACH STUDENTS ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

communication and family engagement, although the district does not track the number of students who opt out. “We do not retain that data, but very few” choose to opt out, she said.

The Troy School District will “notify families throughout annual notices every year,” said Kerry Birmingham, director of communication and strategic initiatives. “We do not keep statistics on how many students opt out, but they are welcome to do that by notifying the district,” she said.

Oxford Community Schools directs people to the district website, which “contains specific information about military recruiters in the board policies,” said Matt Johnson, director of marketing and communications for the district. “The parent, legal guardian or student if over the age of 18, opts out via sending a signed written request to the board that indicates that the student, parent or legal guardian does not want the student’s directory information to be accessible to official recruiting representatives. When that request is received, the board secretary would forward it to the school, and no information would go out about that student.” For the 2015-2016 school year, Johnson said there was not one student who opted out.

Still, at least one Oakland County school takes a completely different approach that appears it may be inconsistent with federal law.

“We do not give military recruiters personal information about our students,” said Daniel Stevens, principal of Brandon High School. “Instead, we have our students opt in to have information released. If they show an interest or desire in the military, we will help put them in contact with recruiters.”

Michigan Department of Education communications spokesman William DiSessa said, “We are not aware of any push-back, and have no position,” regarding the military recruitment policies. DiSessa did not cite any school district that had formal complaints about recruitment practices.

Recognizing the inconsistencies in the way school districts across the nation are notifying students and parents as required

by NCLB, the New York branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) put forth a Military Recruitment Model Policy. It calls for parents and students to be informed of the military recruitment policy on multiple occasions, through multiple avenues.

NYCLU’s model policy, designed to protect students’ privacy rights while properly executing the federal mandate states, in part, that “the recruiter policy of each school shall be distributed to students and explained in a letter mailed to parents in the first 30 days of each school year. The policy shall be made available to the public through the school office and displayed prominently on posters in the school, in the school handbook and where applicable, on the school’s website. Moreover, the recruiter policy shall be distributed to students and parents upon enrollment at the school.”

The policy also suggests that, “under no circumstances shall students and/or parents be required to submit opt out forms before November 30 of a given school year. No student information shall be released prior to the opt out deadline.” To aide in public transparency, the policy recommends public reporting of the “number and percentage of students who opted out, the date(s) of receipt of request for student directory information by recruiters, and the date(s) that student information was disclosed to recruiters.”

Darrell Dawsey, communications director for the Michigan branch

of the American Civil Liberties Union, said around 2007, they “sent a letter to (Michigan) school districts advising them on best practices and student privacy, and had local branches that connected with students and their families to provide them with what their rights are and opt out forms. The ACLU of Michigan, we firmly believe that parents and children have every right to be notified and opt out of these programs. We think the policy should be amended to ensure that privacy rights are respected.”

In terms of monitoring the policies of the districts, Dawsey said, “You send a letter and remind folks of what the law is. We’re not equipped to make sure everybody is following up on these policy suggestions. I’m not sure if there were any subsequent complaints or concerns.”

As part of the recruitment process, in addition to receiving student contact information, recruiters are permitted to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test on campus, and during school hours. The test is administered by recruiters, and is designed to gauge an individual’s potential success in the military. It is administered to high school students, postsecondary students, and other military applicants. Stevens, of Brandon High School, said, “As our counselors get to know our students, they have individual conservations with them about their posthigh school plans. If a student indicates that the military may be in their plans then they will suggest taking the ASVAB test,” which he said, approximately 30 students did this school year.

Additional Oakland County schools that offer the test include Waterford, Oxford, and Clawson. “The ASVAB varies year-to-year.

Usually we have 30 to 35 kids take it,” said Carolee Penny, counseling office secretary at Clawson High School. In Clawson, students sign up to take the test. “It would be about 35 or 40 out of 130 kids, maybe. I think it helps them establish their aptitude and what they should be focusing on during their senior year as far as classes go.”

Bloomfield Hills Schools don’t offer the test, said Good, “but sometimes the recruiter does give the test in our building to prospective students.” The Troy School District, on the other hand, directs students to an off-campus testing center.

In an advocacy statement released by The American Public Health Association (APHA), the organization said the “U.S. Congress should repeal the provisions of the NCLB act that mandates that public schools collaborate with military recruiters by providing full access to school buildings and contact information.”

A 2011 article published in the American Journal of Public Health, found on the website for the National Institute of Health, reported that the youngest group of soldiers consistently shows the highest propensity for negative health effects, including, posttraumatic stress syndrome, substance abuse and suicide. "There are public health reasons for concern regarding military recruitment in public schools. The bulk of newly enlisted military personnel are developmentally in late adolescence – a time of relatively robust physical health but not necessarily complete brain development or a wise time to introduce high levels of stress," Amy Hagopian, PhD, and Kathy Barker, PhD wrote in the journal.

The article further stated, “A study of mental disorders in the U.S. military found the highest rates of all disorders, including alcohol abuse, anxiety syndromes, depression, and post traumatic stress

MANDATED SINCE 2001, SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE FUNDING… MUST COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL REGULATION BY ISSUING MILITARY RECRUITERS WITH A LIST OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION WHEN THEY REQUEST IT.

disorder, among the youngest cohort, those aged 17 through 24 years. Another study found that younger soldiers had 30 percent to 60 percent more substance abuse disorders than did older soldiers, and younger women in particular had the highest incidence of attempted suicide or self-inflicted injuries. The youngest group of veterans also recently experienced a 26 percent increase in suicides from 2005 to 2007. A review of hospitalizations among military personnel in the 1990s showed the highest rates among the youngest recruits. We also know that the youngest active duty military personnel engage in the riskiest sexual behaviors and that almost one third of first births to active duty females are to women younger than 21 years.”

Although the draft hasn’t occurred since 1973, “With only few exceptions, the registration requirement applies to all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the United States who are 18 through 25 years of age,” states the government notice on the Selective Service.

The law states that all U.S male citizens must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Since Defense Secretary Ash Carter lifted gender-bans earlier this year, women are able to serve in front-line combat positions, and the issue of whether they must register for the Selective Service is currently before Congress. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) introduced legislation in the U.S. House that would require women to register. After passing in the Armed Services Committee, the issue was just voted down by the House.

Colonel Michael Matthews of the United State Army, released a strategy research project entitled, “Pinnacle: The Army’s Effort to Reform its Accession Process.” A member of the 2011 class from the masters program at U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, Matthews outlines the changes that army recruiters have been adopting in response to challenges to reach recruiting goals.

“In 2005, after several years of war,” Matthews wrote, “the Army, as well as several other services, failed to meet their recruiting goals by over 9,000 soldiers. Not since 1979, had USAREC (United States Army Recruiting Command) failed to meet its mission… USAREC found itself faced with a new external environment. Never before in the history of the all-volunteer force had USAREC been asked to recruit during a period of persistent conflict. Casualties from Iraq were increasing at a dramatic pace and pessimistic reports from the field were constantly in the news.”

In fiscal year 2006, the Army made some changes to address the shortfalls. “Enlistment bonuses were increased to attract recruits to critical and shortage MOS’s (military occupational specialties),” wrote Matthews, and “it dramatically increased recruiter production incentives and established a referral program which paid $2,000 for qualified referrals that enlisted and graduated from basic training.”

Furthermore, “In order to achieve its objective, USAREC also had to accept lower quality recruits. Waivers for misdemeanor and felony violations increased as USAREC was forced to reach deeper into the social strata of America for its personnel.”

Other face-to-face time recruiters get with students often occurs casually, and each school can establish its own policy for what is required of recruiters, or what restrictions they must abide by.

“We have recruiters on a weekly basis, not every week the same branch, but what they do is we have a lobby right by our cafeteria in the high school and so they’ve been told they can set up a table in the back lobby, that they can’t go actively into the room and pick

and choose kids,” said Penny of Clawson High School, who is responsible for submitting the list of student information to recruiters who ask for it. “If students are interested, they will go talk to the recruiter, but they’re not to actively go talk to the kids.”

Having been with the school since 1992, Penny recalled, “When I first started in this office, we were very uncooperative, let’s say, in giving this information to the branches of the military, but we don’t have the choice any more. Sometimes, they come into the office and I give them a hard copy of the student information, the name, address, so on and so forth. Sometimes, I e-mail it to them, usually once a year.” She noted a time when there was an aggressive recruiter who overstepped the school policy. “They know they’re not to approach students in the hallway. We had a Marine recruiter one day. He was friendly, but he was out talking to kids in the hall, and the principal spotted him and put a stop to that.”

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in December 2015, and is set to replace No Child Left Behind this coming fall, prohibits schools from creating an opt in process. Section 8528 of the ESSA states, “nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow a local education agency to withhold access to a student’s name, address, and telephone listing from a military recruiter or institution of higher education by implementing an opt in process or any other process other than the written consent request process,” which refers to the opt out process.

This new restriction is in opposition to a bill introduced in 2007, intended to remove the burden of having to opt out. Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA) sponsored the Student Privacy Protection Act, which intended to turn Vitter’s NCLB policy inside out, and require that parents/students opt in, rather than opt out. Honda’s sponsored legislation died in committee. ESSA will preclude that as a future option.

However, DiSessa, of the MDE, stated, “(There) appears to be little, if any changes from NCLB to ESSA in this regard. We have been told that ESSA takes effect with the 2016-17 school year. For now, the language in ESSA, including opt out, is considered best practices. It’s important that MDE currently is developing ESSA guidance to our local districts.”

Regardless of whether a student/parent chooses to opt out of the school directory information that recruiters have access to, there’s still a likelihood that an individual student would appear in an alternate database, managed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), known as the Joint Marketing and Advertising Research & Studies, or JARMS recruiting database. It’s “used by the services to educate potential prospects on the benefits of military services,” states the website for the DoD. The information is collected in various ways, including purchasing data from the Department of Motor Vehicle, the College Board, the ASVAB test, and from private data brokers, according to the ACLU, which proceeded to file a lawsuit against the DoD in 2006.

In Hanson v. Rumsfeld, the ACLU, “claimed the unconstitutionality of the JARMS database,” stated a release on the NYCLU website. “We succeed in getting a settlement forcing the DoD to stop collecting Social Security numbers, keep information for only three years, restrict the ages of students included in the database, and maintain better privacy standards for student information. Also, the DoD clarified the procedure for opting out of the database.”

A PROVISION OF THE NCLB REQUIRES SCHOOLS MAKE STUDENTS/PARENTS AWARE OF THE MILITARY RECRUITMENT AND THEIR RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF HAVING INFORMATION SHARED; THERE IS NO NATIONAL STANDARD OR GUIDELINES.

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California stone/brick facade, tall ceilings, east-facing, natural light, move-in-ready. Fin daylight LL. Hit the beach, docks and pool for summer fun! Novi schools.

MOVE-IN READY, UPDATED, COLONIAL $375,000 3,549 total finished sq ft. Perfect for family or entertaining w/ it's open floor plan, extra large granite/stainless steel kitchen with gathering room & fireplace, pantry, Hardwood floors. 4 beds, 3.1 baths, 3 car garage. Fab neighborhood with 2 pools, club house, tennis and day care. Bloomfield Hills schools.

SPRAWLING W. BLOOMFIELD RANCH $250,000 1,707 sq ft, 3 beds, 2 baths, .4 acre, attached 2 car gar Charming, updated home features hardwood floors throughout, fireplaces in 3 rms, bay windows, picketfenced large yard with paver patio and beautifully landscaped. Additional 1,454sq ft in Lower Level with good ceiling height.

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Rochester Hills | $1,399,900 | 6,850 SF + 3,233 SF Finished Lower Level | 5 Bedrooms | 6 Full Baths 1 Half Bath Stunning estate situated on 1.5 acres on a quiet cul-de-sac, the quality and amenities in this house are unsurpassed. Features include an updated NLWFKHQ ZLWK KLJK HQG DSSOLDQFHV OX[XULRXV DQG H[SDQVLYH PDVWHU VXLWH LQ ODZ DX SDLUH VXLWH ¿QLVKHG ZDONRXW ORZHU OHYHO OLEUDU\ WUDGLWLRQDO OLYLQJ URRP GLQLQJ URRP DQG ¿UHSODFHV 7KH YLHZV DUH VSHFWDFXODU IURP YHU\ DQJOH 2YHU VL]HG ZLQGRZV DOORZ \RX WR HQMR\ QDWXUH DW LWV EHVW /RZHU OHYHO ERDVWV D WKHDWHU URRP ELOOLDUG URRP IXOO NLWFKHQ DQG DQ RYHU WKH WRS ZLQH FHOODU IRU WKH WUXH FRQQRLVVHXU %HDXWLIXO JURXQGV IHDWXUH D VWXQQLQJ LQ JURXQG SRRO VXUURXQGHG E\ OXVK ODQGVFDSLQJ DQG FXVWRP SDWLRV 7KLV KRPH LV WUXO\ DQ HQWHUWDLQHUV GUHDP D PXVW VHH Mike Sher

Pointe Aux Barques Twp. | $1,249,000 | 5,200 SF | 9 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 3 Half Baths *R EDFN LQ WLPH WR D SODFH ZH FDQ RQO\ LPDJLQH DQG LW EHFRPHV UHDOLW\ %XLOW LQ WKLV EHDXWLIXO KRPH VLWV DW ZHVW HQG RI KRPH VLWHV ORFDWHG ZLWKLQ DFUH SULYDWH WRZQVKLS 6DQGVWRQH FOLIIV OLQH WKH ZHVW HQG RIIHULQJ XQLTXH FRYH EHDFKHV DQG LQFUHGLEOH VXQVHW YLHZV 2YHU PLOH RI SULYDWH EHDFK \RX¶OO HQMR\ ODNH YLHZV IURP ¿YH EHGURRPV ZLWK VFUHHQHG EDOFRQLHV DQG HYHU\ URRP GRZQVWDLUV 1HDUO\ DQ DFUH RI VKHDU EOLVV DQG WRZHULQJ RDN WUHHV DGG WR IHHW RI SULYDWH ODNH IURQW VSOHQGRU %H WKH ¿UVW WR RZQ VLQFH WKH PLG FHQWXU\ Jill Polenz

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%ORRP¿HOG 7ZS _ | 3,575 SF | 1,465 SF Basement | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 2 Half Baths 1HVWOHG RQ DFUHV QHDU &UDQEURRN 8SGDWHG ZLWK GHWDLOHG WKRXJKW WR VSDFH DQG IXQFWLRQ 5HGHVLJQHG VWRQH H[WHULRU FXVWRP ZRRG HQWU\ GRRU FRSSHU JXWWHUV FKDUPLQJ SULYDWH SRUFKHV DQG VZHHSLQJ FLUFXODU GULYH (QWHU D ZDUP DQG LQYLWLQJ KRPH ZLWK JOHDPLQJ KDUGZRRG ÀRRUV IRUPDO OLYLQJ URRP ZLWK ¿UHSODFH DQG EHDXWLIXOO\ ZLQGRZHG GLQLQJ URRP WKDW JD]HV RXW DW OXVK ODQGVFDSH 7KH NLWFKHQ KHDUWK URRP DQG IDPLO\ URRP DUH WUXO\ WKH KHDUW RI WKLV KRPH *RUJHRXV XSGDWHG FXVWRP NLWFKHQ ZLWK JUDQLWH FRXQWHUV VWDLQOHVV DSSOLDQFHV EXWOHU¶V SDQWU\ DQG ¿HOGVWRQH ¿UHSODFH FRPELQHV DPELDQFH DQG FRPIRUW ZLWK WKH DGMRLQLQJ VXQ GUHQFKHG IDPLO\ URRP )UHQFK GRRUV WR WKH RXWVLGH ED\ ZLQGRZ DQG VSHFWDFXODU YLHZV RI PDWXUH WUHHV DQG UROOLQJ JUHHQ DQG JUHHQKRXVH 0DVWHU VXLWH KDV GXDO HQWU\ IURP WKH FR]\ GHQ XSGDWHG VWRQH EDWK ZLWK VWHDP VKRZHU DEXQGDQW FORVHWLQJ DQG GUHVVLQJ DUHD 6HFOXGHG EHGURRP ZLQJ DOO ZLWK XSGDWHG EDWKV 8QOLPLWHG SRWHQWLDO LQ EDVHPHQW DGGLWLRQ ZLWK H[WUD KLJK FHLOLQJ Melanie S. Bishop

%ORRP¿HOG 7ZS _ | 1,940 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full Baths $ KRPH OLNH QR RWKHU 7KLV XQLTXH SURSHUW\ LV WXFNHG DZD\ FUHDWLQJ D SHDFHIXO SULYDWH DQG WUDQTXLO VHWWLQJ /LVWHG LQ WKH %ORRP¿HOG +LVWRULFDO 6RFLHW\ WKLV KRPH LV RQH RI WKH UHPDLQLQJ VWUXFWXUHV OHIW IURP WKH RULJLQDO &KDPSLRQ (VWDWH 2SHQ ÀRRU SODQ EUHDWKWDNLQJ JDUGHQ YLHZV DQG RYHU D DFUH RI WUHHG SULYDF\ )HDWXUHG LQ %HWWHU +RPHV *DUGHQV LQ $EXQGDQW QDWXUDO OLJKW ZLWK ODUJH ZLQGRZV ,GHDO IRU HQWHUWDLQLQJ /HVV WKDQ PLQXWHV WR GRZQWRZQ %LUPLQJKDP Traci Martin

FACES Jane and Jeffrey Imerman ome desserts are "to die for," but the special organic cakes created by mother and son business duo Jane and Jeffrey Imerman have brought a new passion to their lives that is worth living for in a whole new way.

The origins of the Imerman Cake Company begin and end with family. At 26-years old, Jeffrey's brother, Jonny, was diagnosed with cancer. The battle – which he beat – led Jonny to form Imerman Angels in 2003, to offer support and care to others battling cancer.

It also led the family to revaluate their own lives, including the food they were eating. At the same time, Jeffrey was living and working in New York City as an attorney when he decided he wanted a change.

"I did have a conversation with my brother. I told him I wanted to start something new," said Jeffrey, an attorney and former TV journalist now living in Birmingham. "He said, 'I see people die every day. If you want to make a change, you need to do it now because you don't know how much time you have.'"

Recalling the cakes his mother made for him and his brother at their Bloomfield Township home where his mother still lives, Jeffrey sought to dig-up and modify Jane's beloved chocolate-chip cake recipe to appeal to health conscious consumers who want to have their cake and eat it, too. Launched in 2010, the organic-certified coffee cakes are now available at locations throughout the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, as well as other locations and online for distribution everywhere. A portion of each sale is is donated to Imerman Angels. In April, the cake company was featured in the Food Network's magazine.

"Jonny's cancer was a serious wake up," Jane said. "I think it changed all our lives. This is a risk, and this is something we didn't have any experience in. It taught us to believe and be passionate."

While practicing law in New York City was exciting, Jeffrey said the idea of starting his own business had been rattling around in his head for some time before he made the leap. To make it with his family involved made it that much more special to both mother and son.

"Jeffrey called me one day from New York and said he wanted to quit his job and asked if I would help market cake in Detroit," Jane said. "I said, ‘Sure, I'll do whatever I can do.'"

Today, Jane's recipe has been modified from its original formula in order to achieve organic certification. No more is sour cream added to the recipe. Each ingredient is vetted to ensure a product without synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones or genetically modified ingredients.

"It's still very true to what I cook at home," Jane said, who experimented with the recipe before finally getting it right. "Jonny has evolved into a vegan, so especially when he is home. But I tend to cook healthy. I had a father who was into what you ate and exercise. I'm not sure how he came into that realization, but we grew up on skim milk. Nobody was into that then. This was going a step further with the organic."

As for the coffee cakes served to the boys today, Jane said her baking days are mostly done.

"They can go get them themselves. I don't make the original anymore because it wasn't organic," she said. "At home, we eat the ones we make for the cake company."

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Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

A HIDDEN

DANGER PHTHALATES LURKING IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS

BY LISA BRODY

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o the normal eye, it would seem there would be no connection linking asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, various neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development, anogenital distance, and male fertility issues.

But trained researchers, more and more frequently, see causal links between all of these growing public health concerns. Many scientific researchers connect the dots to phthalates exposure, also known as plasticizers. They have even coined a name, which is now widely recognized among scientific researchers, for some of the health conditions they are most concerned with: the phthalate effect.

Phthalates are a large family of chemicals used to soften and strengthen plastics and increase their flexibility in a wide array of products. They are the chemical that makes a piece of plastic move or bend, rather than crack and break. They can be found in numerous everyday products, which are then released into the environment, from cosmetics and personal care items; infant care products; shower curtains; wallpaper and vinyl mini blinds; plastic wrap; food and food packaging; pharmaceuticals; detergents; adhesives, plastic plumbing pipes, lubricants, medical tubing and fluid bags; solvents; medical devices; inflatable toys; insecticides; building materials; automotive plastics and vinyls; and vinyl flooring.

If that sounds like just about everything, it's true. Phthalates are in many shampoos, body washes, cosmetics, household cleaners. They're in the milk we drink, and in the plastic tubing of a hospital IV. Everything – from the plastic wrap we cover our food with, to the plastic containers we place leftovers in – contains phthalates. Love that new car smell? It's from phthalates. And because of the ubiquitous use of phthalates, and because they are often not listed on product labels, everyone in the United States has phthalates in their system.

It's scary to believe that so many items everyone uses on a daily basis has potentially toxic chemicals hidden within them – unseen, yet leaching into not only the environment but human bodies. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, plasticizers are in products like nail polishes, to reduce cracking by making them less brittle, in hair spray to help avoid stiffness by allowing them to form a flexible film on the hair, and is the chemical in fragrances, from perfumes to cosmetics to automobile products. While the FDA “has not established an association between the use of phthalates in cosmetics and a health risk, the FDA continues to monitor levels of phthalates in cosmetic products,” the organization states on its website.

However, the FDA does warn about infants exposed to infant care products, specifically baby shampoos, baby lotions and baby powder, who showed increased levels of phthalate metabolites in their urine, according to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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A particularly disturbing aspect of phthalate exposure is that products phthalates are in are not isolated, nor they are unusual “boutique” products. They are some of the most common and popular goods on the shelf in their categories, according to the FDA's 2010 Survey of Cosmetics for Phthalate Content. Included in the survey were Johnson's baby shampoo and baby oil; Dove Deep Body Nourishing Body Wash; Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair hand creme; Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion; Vaseline Body Lotion; Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer; Ponds Dry Skin Cream; Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion; Nivea; Johnson's Baby Lotion; Dollar General Sleepy Time Baby Lotion; Baby Magic Gentle Baby Lotion; Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion; Aveeno Baby; Johnson's Bedtime Lotion; Brut 24-Hour Protection deodorant; Tom's of Maine Natural Lavendar deodorant stick; Old Spice High Endurance deodorant; Speed Stick deodorant; Dove Powder Invisible solid; Secret Powder Fresh; TREsemme No Frizz Shine Spray; White Rain hair spray; John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease mousse; Johnson's No More Tangles; Garnier Fructis shampoo; Herbal Essences moisturizing shampoo; nipple creams; diaper creams; wet wipes; infant soap, shampoo, and body washes; numerous nail polishes; children's makeups; and baby powder, including Johnson's Baby Powder and Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder.

“Under the law, cosmetic products and ingredients, with the exception of color additives, are not subject to FDA approval before they go to market,” the FDA noted. “FDA can take action against unsafe cosmetics that are on the market, but only if we have dependable scientific evidence showing that a product or ingredient is unsafe for consumers or customary conditions of use. At the present time, FDA does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk.”

But scientists, both in the United States and Europe, as well as public health and consumer advocacy groups, such as the Center for Health, Environment & Justice and the non-profit Environmental Working Group, disagree. The Virginia-based Environmental Working Group launched the Not Too Pretty campaign to work for safe cosmetics.

“Major loopholes in federal law allow the $20billion-a-year cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of phthalates into many personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and no required labeling,” the Environmental Working Group said in a statement, noting that phthalates can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, and have shown damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in animal studies.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, phthalates can be removed from the products by exposure to heat or with organic solvents, from leaching from the products themselves, or just from general environmental contamination.

Americans who have been tested by the Centers for Disease Control have shown metabolites for multiple phthalates in their urine. Numerous research studies on both animals and humans have shown that high doses of phthalates change hormone levels, can cause birth defects and may cause cancer.

“In the U.S., basically, everyone is exposed on a daily basis. We know this based on work by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the

multiple uses of exposure simultaneously,” said Robin Whyatt, professor emeritus in the department of environmental health sciences, Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

Another area of concern is that many medical devices, such as catheters and intravenous equipment, are made of PVC, including ones used in neonatal intensive care units. Phthalates can leach out of the devices into stored liquids, like blood, plasma and intravenous fluids. In 2002, the FDA recommended that healthcare professionals avoid using IV bags, tubes and other devices containing DEHP when treating premature babies and women pregnant with male fetuses.

“Phthalates can seep in through equipment used in processing plants such as tubing, gloves, conveyer belts, lids, adhesives and plastic wraps,” said Olivia Koski with Natural Resources Defense Council. “Dozens of types of phthalates still lurk in a dizzying number of everyday products. And it's impossible to know which ones, exactly, because manufacturers don't have to tell you. Until Congress makes further moves to regulate phthalates or mandates more research on their health effects, you can take steps to avoid them.”

The CDC notes that phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. “People are exposed to phthalates by eating and drinking foods that have been in contact with containers and products containing phthalates. To a lesser extent, exposure can occur from breathing in air that contains phthalate vapors or dust contaminated with phthalate particles. Once phthalates enter a person's body, they are converted into breakdown products (metabolites) that pass out quickly in urine,” according to the CDC website. “CDC researchers found measurable levels of many phthalate metabolites in the general population. Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown.”

Researchers, such as Whyatt, disagree with the CDC. “Probably the issue that got people most concerned was the discovery of the phthalate effect. Phthalates are an endocrine disrupter, which means it changes the hormone levels. It was seen first in animal studies, but now it's seen in epidemiological studies as well,” Whyatt noted.

Phthalates are a large group of chemicals, and not all of them show the same danger signals. Nor have they all been tested. It's been said that people can name a major public health concern over the past two decades, and it can likely be tied to exposure to phthalates. BPA, which was banned from plastic, notably water bottles, in 2014, was singled out as the sole chemical of concern in the bisphenol group, but its replacements, BPS and some phthalates, are considered at least as concerning as what they replaced.

There are approximately six that wave the strongest, most dangerous red flags to scientists – di-2ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP); butyl benzyl phthalate (BbzP); diethyl phthalate (DEP); benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP); diisononyl phthalate (DiNP); and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). The worst of the worst, most concur, is DEHP, which was replaced in some consumer products, only to be replaced with DiNP – which researchers then discovered correlated to male genital birth defects and impaired reproductive functions in adult males. DEHP has been banned in Europe since 2004, but is still used in the United States, although some manufacturers are replacing it in some products.

Today, while bottled water no longer has BPA, which was banned in the U.S in 2014, there are concerns about the soft plastic they are bottled in, and that they contain estrogenic chemicals. Since 1973, when a DuPont chemist created polyethylene terephthalate (PET), it has been used for bottled water, including Dasani water, and other substances. Multiple studies are consistently showing that water from PET bottles are changing estrogen levels, and that the concentration of phthalates from PET bottles was more than 12 times higher in PET than in glassed bottled water. Ice Mountain water is bottled in HDPE plastic, which is also used in milk jugs, refillable plastic bottles, and plastic bags, and has the 2 recycling number, which is currently considered one of the less dangerous plastics.

“Since phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastic resin polymer (they're just 'mixed in'), they are free to migrate or leach out under certain conditions,” said Sarah Mosko, PhD of California. She noted that in 1986, the U.S toy industry switched from DEHP to DINP in plastic PVC toys in response to a “voluntary” agreement between the industry and the Consumer Product

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Safety Commission, but did it without any safety testing. Then toys around the world were revealed to have high concentrations of other phthalates.

In 2008, the Consumer Protection Agency banned six types of phthalates from children's toys. “An example of a product that may have phthalates is a product like a children's rubber duck – the flexible plastic feel may be from the use of phthalates in the manufacturing process,” the agency said. In June 2015, Congress permanently banned three phthalates – DEHP, DBP, and BBP – in any amount greater than .1 percent that could be placed in a child's toy, or in a child care product designed to aid in sleep for a child under three, or to help with sucking or teething. Congress has an interim ban on another three phthalates – DINP, DIDP, and DnOP – for the same uses.

“The policies, in the United States, are very difficult to get activated,” said Dr. John Meeker, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. “Broad sweeping policy is difficult to enact. But consumer activism helps.

It's how some (phthalates) have been banned in certain toys – but it's a small group of what could be banned. People looking for 'phthalate free' products have an impact on manufacturers, and are an advantage for the consumer.”

While many parents would note that any toy will likely end up in a child's mouth, there are numerous toys and categories of toys that are not covered by the bans, including sporting goods, those made with untreated wood, metal, natural fibers, natural latex and mineral products; its component parts; children's socks and shoes; mattresses; and packaging.

Yet, beyond toys that go in children's mouths, they are exposed to phthalates through numerous other products. DINP and DIDP were introduced as “safer” chemicals in the manufacturing of plastic wrap, food containers, soap, and cosmetics, a 2015 study done by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center noted. “Our research adds to growing concerns that environmental chemicals might be independent contributors to insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and other metabolic disorders,” Dr. Leonard Trasande said.

Their study looked at over 1,300 children and teens between 8 and 19, measuring their blood pressure and levels of DINP and DIDP in their urine, and they found that with an over 10-fold increase in the levels of the two chemicals, blood pressure levels increased about a point on average.

Another study in 2015 looked at teens 12 to 19 to examine these chemicals and their risk of insulin resistance, which can be a precursor to type II diabetes. They found that increased concentrations of DINP and DIDP were linked to increased risk of insulin resistance, and among the teens with the highest levels of DINP, one in three had insulin resistance.

The Breast Cancer Fund concurs with Dr. Meeker, to look for plastic products marked “phthalate-free” or “PVC-free” and to avoid plastics with the recycling code of 3. They state that a 2012 study found that women working in the automotive and food-canning industries have a fivefold increase in risk of premenopausal breast cancer, which they tie to their exposure to phthalates, BPA and flame retardants. They also recommend women avoid household cleaners and cosmetics with “fragrance” on the label.

The 2012 study indicated that there were higher levels of phthalates, notably DEP, which is often used in fragrance, in women with breast cancer, and it was most profound in premenopausal women. Besides cosmetic fragrances and perfume, healthychild.org wrote, “Do a 'Sniff Test.' That 'new car' or 'plastic' smell from soft plastic toys, backpacks, raincoats, and other products usually comes from phthalates.

Avoid microwaving in plastics and plastic wraps.”

The American Chemistry Council noted that automobile interiors, vinyl seat covers and interior trim use phthalates because of its ability to withstand high temperature, and flexible vinyl is used in cars and trucks to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.

“Phthalates are considered to be endocrine disruptors because of their complex effects on several hormonal systems, including the estrogen and androgen hormone systems,” the Breast Cancer Fund said.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents many manufacturers, counters that “Phthalates are primarily used to make PVC or vinyl flexible and are used in hundreds of product in our homes, hospitals, cars and businesses. Colorless, odorless phthalates are not only cost effective, but also highly suitable for many flexible vinyl products. Some of their key characteristics include: durability, flexibility, weather resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures...The total economic contributions of three phthalates plasticizers manufacturers and the purchaser industries generate nearly $35 billion in economic output. Removing phthalates from the products could mean the loss of essential properties in consumer and industrial products that we rely on every day. Phthalates make up 90 percent of the plasticizer market, and while there are some potential substitutes in development, there are no drop in replacements available for current applications that would provide similar performance, durability and cost.”

For the last 15 years, Dr. Shanna Swan, an epidemiologist with Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, has conducted studies of pregnant women to determine fetal exposure to phthalates. Swan is best known for, and pioneered, looking at how phthalates have affected male genital development, “and we're now seeing it in women, as well. We have taken

blood and urine studies to analyze their exposure during pregnancy. We don't use a questionnaire, because it's a silent exposure. We want to see what women are exposed to,” Swan said.

Swan's research, first on animals, and now on humans, show that certain phthalates impact the developing male fetus in a way that he gets an inadequate amount of testosterone. “If there's not enough testosterone, their development is not complete,” Swan said, noting that incomplete masculinization had first been documented in animals.

“In 2005, the term phthalate syndrome was coined. Central to that is shortening in critical measurement distance from the anus to the genitals, which is called anogenital distance,” Swan said. Anogenital distance (AGD) is considered significant in both animals and humans because it is a non-invasive method to determine male feminization, and allows the ability to predict neonatal and adult reproductive disorders. She said it's a measurement that has been used in animal studies for more than 100 years.

The anogenital distance in healthy males should be twice as long in males as females. But babies with high total exposure to phthalates, in Swan's studies, are 90 times more likely to have a short AGD, and with that, lower semen volume, lower sperm count, decreased fertility, the likelihood of undescended testes, and testicular tumors in adulthood.

Women who had high levels of phthalates in their urine during pregnancy gave birth to sons who were 10 times more likely to have shorter than expected AGDs. “It's the most sexually dysmorphic measurement we have. It is a very good measure to separate males and females,” Swan said. “When mothers are exposed to certain phthalates, that distance is not as long. That fetus is feminized, or not as masculinized. We showed it in two studies, and now there is one from Sweden.”

Swan decided to expand her research arena.

“The androgens of testing are needed in other parts of the body – the brain,” she said. “We chose to study the region of where they play,” studying boys aged 4 to 7, looking at preschool activities as the instrument in children whose mothers had been exposed to DEHP or DBP in high doses.

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“We found they played less male, meaning they chose less guns or trucks or cars, and chose more dolls and tea sets,” she said. “We also saw that often boys who had shorter anogenital distances had feminized play, and lower masculine play. They also had smaller penis sizes and often, their testes didn't descend.

“It isn't just this one neurodevelopmental area, but others as well. We saw it in other areas that are influenced by testosterone are showing to be influenced as well,” Swan said. She and her fellow researchers have not studied sexuality.

Whyatt has looked extensively at behavioral, mental and motor effects in humans from prenatal exposure to phthalates. “It seems to be the most sensitive time for exposure,” she said. “For some phthalates, it decreases mental and motor development. We check it at age three, as well as behavioral problems at age three. We also follow the children to age seven. IQ, learning, athletics are all key at elementary school, and we're seeing significant reductions, including decreases in short term memory and poor working memory.

The teacher will often think it's because they're not paying attention, but that's not it.”

She said that poor working memory is often considered more important to success in elementary development than verbal comprehension, nonverbal questions, behavior and motor development.

“We are still determining if this follows them through their school years. We still don't know,” she said. “It seems that it is apparent, but we're not certain.”

A serious male birth defect can also be linked to phthalate exposure, Swan said, called hypospadias, where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis, but partway up. It must be surgically corrected at around eight months of age, under general anesthesia.

“More dramatically, a short anogenital distance male will likely be infertile, have lower testosterone (as an adult), have lower testicle volume, and lower sperm count. So it matters,” she emphasized.

Robin Whyatt, of Columbia, observed, “These are at levels that people are generally exposed to in the United States. Phthalates cause changes, and it's thought now it's what's happening in the human population.”

Swan noted over the years of studying phthalate syndrome that DEHP, “long considered the worst of the worst,” has been present in food, making containers softer, “was the only one regulated in drinking water. Then regulations were put in place in the U.S. and Europe, and taken out of children's toys.” Between her first and second study, she and her fellow researchers found a 50 percent drop in DEHP as a result of its partial removal.

“With DEHP, most people are exposed through diet and food packaging. It's still unclear how,” said U-M's Meeker.

Whyatt disagrees. “A lot of people are concerned about DEHP, but we haven't found it to be the worst. This is such a huge category of chemicals. That was one chemical, and it is in so many products, still. I always caution – there haven't been enough interventional studies to know (what the worst is). They're just everywhere.” While it's good, she notes, that they have been removed from children's toys, “The window of greatest susceptibility appears to be during pregnancy.”

Swan concurs. “Genital changes are

specifically tied to the first trimester, especially month two and three, when the exposure happens early in pregnancy. Neurological developmental changes likely occur midpregnancy, and preterm birth is likely to be associated to late exposure. So the best time to avoid phthalates is likely the entire pregnancy, because they're dangerous throughout,” she said.

Lisa Dry, senior director, product communications with the American Chemistry Council, countered, “Phthalates have been thoroughly studied and reviewed by a number of government scientific agencies and regulatory bodies worldwide and these agencies have concluded that phthalates used in commercial products do not pose a risk to human health at typical exposure levels. Information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the last 10 years indicates that, despite the fact that phthalates are used in many products, exposure is extremely low – significantly lower than any levels of concern set by regulatory agencies. In addition, all studies have limitations that impact the interpretation of the findings.”

Meeker said that he, in collaboration with Dr. Russ Hauser of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, have been studying women's reproductive health following exposure to phthalates. “We started with the male population, and then also looked at women. Now we're hoping to look at children,” he said. “Seventeen years ago, we began looking at male reproductive health, at their semen samples, and then their female partners, in relation to in vitro fertilization, with hopes to continue following the children born.”

He said they published a study in 2015 that showed for men with phthalate exposure, they had a decrease in semen quality, an increase in DNA damage in their sperm cells, and altered circulating hormone levels. “On average, with those with greater phthalate levels, had decreased testosterone levels,” Meeker said.

“On the female side, those associated with increased phthalate levels had decreased egg yields and decreased chances in having a successful pregnancy,” he said. “It is consistent with research on laboratory animals.”

Further studies are indicating the increased odds of early pubertal development (early menses) among girls, and delayed puberty among males, Meeker said.

“We do see some variability in the chemicals, so we are continuing studying (them),” he said.

“They are endocrine disrupters. It's looking at how are these things happening to these

chemicals for people who are already exposed, and looking at the strongest predictors of exposure in order to avoid. Right now, it's pretty tough for someone to just decide to avoid these chemicals. We have to work to the next level to provide the best science to inform for the best policy decisions.”

Consumers have power, and have proved the power of the purse, as evidenced by pushing large flooring retailers to stop selling flooring products with phthalates. In 2014, researchers found that of 65 vinyl flooring tiles tested from flooring samples purchased from major home improvement stores, including Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Menards, and Lumber Liquidators, 38 samples – 58 percent – contained phthalates. Lumber Liquidators and Ace Hardware had phthalates in 100 percent of their flooring samples; Lowe's samples contained phthalates in 48 percent of their samples; and Menards, 23 percent of their samples.

In 2015, researchers from the Ecology Center linked the phthalates in these flooring tiles to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity, and cancer.

Most of the vinyl tile flooring samples contained one or more hazardous chemicals, and the phthalates found in them are currently subject to a pending ban by the European Union. Following this study and consumer outcries, Home Depot made a commitment to phase out phthalates by the end of 2015, and Lumber Liquidators reported it is working with suppliers to transition to alternative products, although it has not set a deadline for when that will be completed.

“When the industry is moving away from a compound, it is imperative they don't replace it with another one that is also toxic, or that is not tested,” said Columbia's Whyatt. “At least twothirds of phthalates are not tested. We have to replace them with chemicals we know are not dangerous.

“There's almost no successful regulations in the United States that a chemical that is taken off the market will not be replaced with one that is (also) a hazard because they are not tested. Our regulatory system is broken,” she emphasized.

“There are probably safer compounds. When you have a group of chemicals that every single human in the United States is exposed to, including every single pregnant woman has in their body and passes through to their fetus, with multiple health outcomes, it's time to take action.

It's a pretty obvious outcome. We don't want our children to be our guinea pigs.”

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FACES

Bobbi and Stephen Polk ’ve been to Antarctica twice. It’s a very spectacular place, just stunning,” said Stephen Polk, who, with his wife Bobbi, contributed $10 million towards the development of the new 33,000-square-foot Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo, which opened in April.

“The scale of what you see in Antarctica is remarkable. There’s hardly any people, enormous rock and ice and weather conditions there. It’s a place of grandeur,” he said. “Anyone that’s down there is a visitor on a boat. We were on a ship with 64 passengers,” on a trip led

by Ron Kagan, executive director of the Detroit Zoological Society.

“The idea of building a new penguin conservation center was on the (zoo’s) master plan,” said Polk. “It was state-of-the-art in 1967 when it was built, but it was in need of refurb.”

Inspired by their first trip down to Antarctica, the Polks helped make the zoo's plan into reality, by donating $10 million to launch the creation of the $30 million conservation center. Bustling with 80 penguins swimming and waddling around, Polk said his favorite species in the conservation center is the Gentoo penguin. “They’re probably the most active and most entertaining. They’re always on the move.”

Before the penguin center was in focus, Polk was involved in other developments at the zoo, including the wolf exhibit. The animals, he said, are “generally bred at other zoos, or in some cases, are rescues,” he said. “A couple lions were rescued at one point,” since 1986, carrying on the “long family tradition” of his brother and father, he said.

Currently vice chairman of the zoo’s board, Polk has been a member

I

of the board of director's since 1986, carrying on the tradition of his father and brother. “The family tradition has always been to be involved in the community in many, many ways with what’s happening in metropolitan Detroit, and other places as well. I think it’s a great benefit and an obligation to support what’s going on in your community,” said Polk, who’s also been involved with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Center for Creative Studies, Cranbrook Education Community, and Leader Dogs for the Blind, among other organizations.

Growing up in Bloomfield Hills, where he and Bobbi continue to reside, Polk said he “always had a love of nature and wildlife. I spent as much time as I could outside. I loved (summer) camp and science.”

As an adult, Polk studied biology at Denison University in Ohio, and then took his passion for wildlife to Marquette, where he earned his master’s degree at Northern Michigan University. From there, he joined the family business, R.L. Polk & Co, where he worked for nearly two decades, until it was sold in 2013.

With a passport stamped with exotic places, Polk likes the extraordinary animals of Africa, as well as colder climates, but said he’s equally pleased to head up north.

“There’s something to see anywhere you choose to go. Personally, I just like to be in northern Michigan,” he said. “Sailing is one of our family's passions. My wife and I love to sail, which is great if you live in Michigan.”

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Detroit Zoo

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Birmingham $519,900 Beautifully updated! Old World charm and modern updates seamlessly marry the beloved character of the old with the convenience of the new. 216031540 Presented by Lucine Tarman

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Sylvan Lake Frontage $449,900

Bloomfield Hills $415,000

This beautiful home has been renovated top to bottom. Almost 70 ft of main lake frontage on beautiful Sylvan Lake. 216040066 Presented by Mary Gleeson

Beautifully maintained, custom-built home situated on more than an acre of spectacularly wooded land. Birmingham schools. 216044790 Presented by Lorraine Yalman

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

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Farmington Hills $395,000 Completely renovated & freshly painted. Three tiered deck backing to absolutely gorgeous wooded lot overlooking creek. 216046237 Presented by Ann Greenberg

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Bloomfield Hills $385,000

Auburn Hills $369,800

Sophisticated town home conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Tobaccman designed with classic appointments. 215108688 Presented by Ronni Keating

55+ Gated Community offers Up North resort style living. Backs up to scenic wooded back yard with protected wetlands. 216042775 Presented by Olga Mackenzie

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

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Oxford $275,000 Enjoy modern living in Victorian grandeur. Completely renovated and up to current code. 216035179 Presented by Jim Casey

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Sterling Heights $269,000

Walled Lake $198,500

Lots of custom features, quality and upgrades! No association fee, fences allowed, private shed in the back. 216046145 Presented by Ron Husack

Updated home on sprawling grounds on a double lot. Newer in-ground saltwater heated pool and pool cabana. 216041203 Presented by Michelle Yurich

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

near or far

A Full Service Relocation Department with Distinguished Connections Helping our clients navigate the world of real estate is what sets us apart.

We are unmatched in our ability to connect buyers and sellers globally.

As a primary real estate brokerage for Cartus Relocation, a global leader in the relocation industry, Signature Sotheby's International Realty participates in servicing relocation buyers coming into our area and sellers moving out of the area every day.

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EXPERIENCE A WORLD OF CONNECTIONS With 825 offices in 61 countries, we are all encompassing. From the enchanting beauty of France to the age-old country that is Thailand.

Our locations may be abounding, but our unique-ness remains perfectly constant.

Susan Bailey susan.bailey@sothebysrealty.com f nf s@s bsc800.458.7356 m m m24 . 2.44 . 740.

415 S. Old38Woodward E M Ave. RoBirmingham, o Bi dm gMichigan hm 48009 c i gai4808098

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Lara J. Forte Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665 T: 248-912-9031 C: 248-284-5178

John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

41820 Six Mile Road Northville MI 48168

LForte@mbmortgage.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

1394 Pilgrim Avenue

200 Woodland Villa Court

Birmingham | $2,150,000

Birmingham | $1,975,000

345 Woodridge Road

420 Dunston Road

270 Martell Drive

Bloomfield Hills | $2,395,000

Bloomfield Hills | $2,195,000

Bloomfield Hills | $1,950,000

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1031 Ardmoor Drive

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1721 Stanley Boulevard

Bloomfield Hills | $1,599,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,399,000

Birmingham | $999,900

John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

Ken Mascia NMLS #135323 Prime Capital Mortgage Corp.

36400 Woodward Ave, Suite 122 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 kmascia@primecapitalmortgage.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

248-644-1200 248-644-1201 (f)

32859 Bingham Lane

641 Yarmouth Road

Bingham Farms | $1,150,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,149,000

950 Glengarry Circle

1313 Indian Mound Trail

Bloomfield Village

Bloomfield Village | $784,900

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6295 Crest Top Drive

1400 Sandringham Way

2425 Bradway Boulevard

West Bloomfield | $749,900

Bloomfield Village | $699,000

Bloomfield Village | $649,900

6976 Woodbank Drive

700 Emmons Avenue

495 Bird Avenue

Bloomfield Hills | $549,000

Birmingham | $524,900

Birmingham | $449,000

John & Bridget Apap

Lynn Wiand Senior Mortgage Lender NMLS ID 39420

lwiand@talmerbank.com Office 248-244-4805 Cell 248.228.4805

Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

2301 W. Big Beaver Rd, Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Featured Listing

630 Waddington Street Bloomfield Village | $2,350,000 6,554 Sq. Ft., 5 Bedrooms, 5.1 Baths, 3 Car Attached Garage

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Quarton Lake - $2,950,000 - 5900 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level, oversized lot

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Birmingham - $1,299,000 - 4216 sf, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 2 car garage, finished lower level

Quarton Lake - $1,195,000 - 3,600 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, finished lower level

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118 Waterfall - Quarton Lake Frontage - Offered at $4,995,000 Imagine owning your very own private, new construction, luxury resort, nestled on the only remaining lot in Quarton Lake with views of the waterfall, lake, park & river. Beyond the electric gated entrance with camera and alarm system, sits this exceptional private estate. Generous open floor plan. Stunning great room perfect for entertaining shares a dual sided fireplace with elegant study. Cooks kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances, rich exotic wood cabinetry, walk-in pantry and command center. Master suite features a fireplace and its own private patio, spacious spa like master bath with freestanding tub, walk-in shower and beautiful custom closet/dressing areas. Approximately 8000 sq ft of finished living space, walkout lower level with climate controlled wine room, full bar area and spa/sauna. Handcrafted mill work, impeccable materials and gorgeous architectural details throughout. Luxurious Infinity Pool.

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Rochester Hills $1,999,000 3800 Sq Ft 4 BR, 4.2 BA 3 Car Attached Garage

Birmingham $1,639,000 4400 Sq Ft 4 BR 4.2 BA 3 Car Attached Garage

Birmingham $1,549,000 3500 Sq Ft 4 BR, 4.1 BA 2 Car Detached Garage

Troy $1,175,000 4100 Sq Ft 4 BR, 3.1 BA 3 Car Attached Garage co-listor Shawn Arnaout

Troy $999,500 5276 Sq Ft 4 BR 3.2 BA 3 Car Attached Garage co-listor Pat O'Neill

Troy $629,900 4088 Sq Ft 5 BR, 3.1 BA 3 Car Attached Garage

Troy $349,000 2238 Sq Ft 4 BR, 2.1 BA 2 Car Attached Garage

Troy $294,900 2204 Sq Ft 4 BR, 2.1 BA 2 Car Attached Garage

Marketing a home requires unique skills, knowledge and resources that Signature Sotheby's International Realty offers its clients. I would welcome the opportunity to offer you a confidential marketing analysis.

Christine Drinkwater

Associate Broker

248-318-4745

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

cdrinkwater@signaturesothebys.com

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655 Pilgrim Avenue - Birmingham $925,000 A Quarton Lake Estates Beauty! Charm & Sophistication accent every corner.

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52 Oakdale Boulevard Pleasant Ridge $795,000 Completion - June 2016 3775 sq ft, 4 bedrooms 3.2 baths, 2 car garage

1853 Wingate Road Bloomfield Hills $469,000 1st floor master suite overlooking Wabeek Golf Course.

2405 Oakshire Avenue Berkley $379,900 New Construction 2016 2200 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2 car garage.

Call me for a complimentary marketing analysis.

Lisa Masters

248-212-4231 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

lmasters@signaturesothebys.com

Custom Build To Suit Along Rouge River In Franklin $1,690,000 Custom build the home of your dreams on this 3 acre walk-out site on a wonderful street in Franklin right across from two multi million dollar properties. This masterfully designed new construction estate by Hemphill Custom Builders offers luxurious living in a country setting yet only one mile away from downtown Franklin. Every detail of this 5000 sq ft residence will be expertly designed and crafted using the highest quality materials of your choice. The home featured here is just one of many you can choose from and of course any feature can be customized to your taste. Drive by and walk this property at your leisure and contact the listing agent for more information including the extensive list of items offered with this new construction. Amazing opportunity and an optimal time to build! Topographical survey available too!

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Franklin Village $635,000 Ultra private, mid century California modern home on a secluded 2 acre lot in the ideal Franklin neighborhood within walking distance to downtown and the Franklin Cider Mill! Open and airy layout with unique angles, high ceilings, walls of glass and tons of natural light throughout. First floor master suite with large master bath, walk-in closet and dressing area. Light and bright kitchen with huge center island, soaring ceilings and open to the large breakfast and dining rooms ideal for entertaining. Terracotta and wood floors throughout the first level add a nice rustic flavor. Custom lighting and tall angled white beamed ceilings makes this home truly special with a soft contemporary flair. The upper level with 3 additional bedrooms, 2 full baths and a huge bonus room provides plenty of added living and storage space. With nearly 4300 square feet and two acres this home offers many alternatives for your lifestyle. With expansive secluded property like this the potential for new construction also exists for those who want to build their two million dollar dream home.

Eva Morrow Associate Broker

248-320-9100 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

eva@signaturesothebys.com

FACES

Elizabeth Burns ore than four decades after graduating from Marygrove College, Bloomfield Township native and Marion High School alumna Elizabeth Burns has returned to the Detroit area to serve as the college's president.

"There is nothing else I can think of doing that would have lured me away from retirement," Burns said about the decision to re-enter the academic field after a career in medicine. "There was thought of parttime work at a medical school, but when the call came from Marygrove, there wasn't a question in my mind."

Burns, who left the state for Pennsylvania to complete her family medicine residency after earning her medical degree from the University of Michigan, practiced family medicine for decades at university hospitals in Illinois and Iowa. In 2008, Burns returned to Michigan to serve as president and CEO of Michigan State University's Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies for four years. From there, she served as Associate Dean of Faculty and Clinical Affairs for Western Michigan University's School of Medicine for three years.

When Marygrove College tapped her for a temporary position as Interim Provost, she gladly accepted. In January, the college named her its ninth president.

"What attracted me was helping out with the leadership transition and being part of that, and the opportunity to get to know the faculty better and discover what programs were happening and developing in the future," she said about her six months as provost.

Burns' connection to Marygrove extends beyond her time as a student. Her mother is an alumna of the college, and her grandmother â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who also took classes at the college â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was on the college's first board of trustees. Burns also served on Marygrove's board of trustees for a decade during her professional career.

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While she said there are obvious differences in the college and its current student population from her family's early days at Marygrove, she said its role as a liberal arts college in Detroit remains an important part of the city. The formerly all women's college began accepting men into undergraduate programs during Burns' senior year. The college's student body has also changed with the makeup of the city, with the majority of students being black.

"The other big, obvious thing is the athletic teams," Burns said. "We have soccer fields and men's and women's soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball. We are part of an athletic conference. Those are two big differences people will see. What they don't see is that the majority of our students are Pell Grant eligible, so we have to do a lot of fundraising for scholarships because of the needs of our students. Almost half are first generation college students."

Tackling declines in enrollment and addressing maintenance needs on campus are two areas where Burns is focusing. Additionally, she is tasked with making sure the college has a role in the city of Detroit's revitalization.

"The next step in the revitalization of Detroit is revitalization of the neighborhoods, and Marygrove is a vital organization in that. The majority of our students are from Detroit, and we have an urban leadership focus," she said. "Our programs are helping to fill the needs of the city of Detroit."

In the meantime, Burns said she is re-familiarizing herself with the city.

"I never drove in the city when I was a student," she said "I'm learning my way around the city again."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

187 EUCLID AVENUE, BIRMINGHAM

Sophisticated downtown living at its finest Magnificent 4 story custom home in highly sought after “San Francisco District” just steps away from dining & shopping, designer & decorator perfect! Fabulous elevation with tons of natural light, open floor plan, a very unique architectural beauty!! Spectacular attention to detail & finishes, coiffured archways, exceptional millwork, Brazilian hardwoods thru-out, 4 replaces / 2 natural stone replaces & 2 gas replaces in master & lower level, chefs granite kitchen with 2 islands, breakfast bar, espresso cabs, stainless steel high end appliances, Viking, Thermador & Subzero, butler’s pantry with wine bar, walk-in pantry, incredible master suite & luxury bath with jetted tub, 2 walk-in closets, upper library with French doors & built-ins, 3rd floor loft / guest room or gym, finished lower level with full 2nd kitchen, game room, full bath & limestone flooring, one of a kind 2 level brick terrace with great views, entertainers dream!!! 215122916

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5,692 Sq. Ft. I 3 Bedrooms I 3 Full/1 Half Bath I Year Built: 2005 | 2 Car Garage I Birmingham School District

uburban sprawl, the mantra of the second half of the twentieth century, appears to be gasping its last breaths as baby boomers and Millennials alike are seeking cities providing walkability as part of a multi-modal plan in residential, commercial and entertainment districts. Known in the municipal planning field as New Urbanism, it is a process which promotes walkable communities with a mix of housing, businesses and retail establishments while focusing also on local history and ecology. Embraced locally in the 1990s and 2000s, the process continues today to be the dominant trend in urban design, and one that has helped the downtown areas of Birmingham and Rochester continue to flourish, each in its unique way.

At first look, the downtown areas of Birmingham and Rochester couldn't appear more different, with one a mini-city and the other a

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THE TALE OF TWO CITIES MANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ROCHESTER DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

homey town, but a closer look shows there are as many similarities linking the two municipalities as there are differences that make each a vital and unique part of the communities where they are located. eparated by just 17 miles, each city provides a walkable downtown experience for its residents and surrounding communities. With hundreds of thriving businesses in each downtown and two of the highest business occupancy rates of any community in the state, both Birmingham and Rochester seem to have found success.

"It is going exceptionally well. Extraordinarily well because as it happens, people have the feeling that it has always been there, but it hasn't in fact," said Andres Duany, an urban planner from Miami, and mastermind of Birmingham's 2016 Master Plan, which has guided downtown planning in the city for the past two decades.

A renowned architect, Duany is one of the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism. As the organizing body for New Urbanism, it advocates for the restructuring of public policy and development practices to support neighborhoods that are diverse in use and population; communities that are designed for pedestrians, as well as transit and cars; physically defined and accessible public spaces and community institutions; and urban places framed by architecture and landscape that celebrate local history, climate, ecology and building practices.

As one of the pioneers of New Urbanism, city leaders in Birmingham hired Duany, along with other firms, to assist with a 20year plan for developing the community's downtown. Released in 1996, the plan was updated in 2014 when Duany returned to Birmingham to weigh in on the city's progress.

"Credit needs to be given for three things," he said. "First, it's a wealthy community, and that always helps. Two, there is fantastic political and cultural leadership. Three, the parking garages existed prior to our coming. That made things an awful lot easier."

Today, Birmingham is home to more than 600 businesses, drawing more than five million visitors each year, not including those that work in the downtown area. There is more than 3.5 million square feet of retail and office space, with a retail occupancy rate of about 98 percent.

It's somewhat ironic that one of the major challenges to developing walkable downtown communities remains the key to the area's affluence â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the automobile. In this case, where to park it.

"In a community that doesn't have the means to keep restaurants and shops open, that doesn't have a tax base to build parking garages, it would be a different strategy,â&#x20AC;? Duany said. "It's a very privileged place."

Parking, specifically for those who work in the city during the day, continues to be a challenge for Birmingham, as well as downtown Rochester. Also boasting an occupancy rate of about 98 percent, downtown Rochester is home to about 450 businesses, including roughly 225 retail shops, restaurants and salons. Along with special events throughout the year, the downtown draws in more than one million people each year. To accommodate parking in the downtown area, the city developed two downtown parking decks in 2015 at a cost of about $12 million, providing 555 new parking spots.

"During the day, there is more than enough parking," said Nik Banda, deputy city manager and director of economic development for the city of Rochester. "On the weekend, it's just about right. It was built more for that, and we should be good for at least five years."

However, some workers downtown say the cost of parking in the downtown area for an entire day is an expense some can't afford.

Claudette DiFelice, who works at The Urban Merchant, 314 S. Main Street, in Rochester, said the business moved to downtown from Romeo in June of 2015 because many of the store's customers were from the Rochester area. While business has been good at the new location, she said parking passes must be renewed every three months, and can be costly. Meanwhile an employee at The Home Bakery, 300 S. Main Street, discussed the parking situation with a customer on a spring morning.

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"It's hard for people who work downtown, part-time, to afford parking," she said.

In Birmingham, success has caused a parking crisis, with some larger businesses located downtown having difficulty securing passes for their employees to utilize the city's parking structures, said planning commissioner Robin Boyle, who is a professor of urban planning at Wayne State University.

"We have some challenges. The first is one that we have been dealing with for a long time and it doesn't want to go away. That's the parking challenge," Boyle said. "Birmingham is blessed with having five parking decks, and many are filled. It's extremely difficult.

"One challenge is that office and commercial businesses want to secure monthly passes for employees and they aren't able to get them.

And retailers are concerned with so much on-street parking that customers can't find parking adjacent to the shops. There's still some reluctance from shoppers going to the decks, and they hunt for parking and it increases congestion on the streets."

Birmingham has about 684 businesses located in its central business district, with about 323 retail locations, including some 59 restaurants and 58 salons and/or spas. In total, the city has about 1.5 million square feet of first-floor retail space in the downtown. However, it's the 2.2 million square feet of office space that helps differentiate Birmingham's downtown from Rochester and others throughout suburban Oakland County.

"That's quite a bit, and it's unique for a (suburban) downtown to have that much," said John Heiney, executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD). "McCann came in 2006 from Troy. They wanted a downtown experience. That has been a big trend, especially with advertising agencies and creative endeavors. And that does work together to support restaurants."

As one of the largest employers downtown, McCann World Group employees about 750 employees. Of the total office space in the city, about 90 percent is occupied. Major employers in Birmingham include Google, Clark Hill law firm, Universal McCann, Munder Capital Management and other law, financial, architectural and advertising firms, growing the downtown's daytime population to nearly 14,000.

While Heiney said the BSD has a seat at the table when it comes to parking, overall, the issue is headed up by the city's engineer.

"With the influx of office, we have had a strain on the parking system, and the city is looking into that," Heiney said. "The BSD has been doing valet parking on the street during road construction, but the city has plans for long-term parking expansion. They are looking at expanding the North Old Woodward structure, behind the Google building." irmingham's Shopping District, formerly called the Principal Shopping District (PSD), was created in 1992 as the first of its kind in the state. The formation of the PSD authorized the development or redevelopment of principal shopping districts and business improvement districts in Michigan.

They are permitted in a local municipality with a master plan that includes an urban design plan designating a principle shopping district. The city formed its shopping district after several years of a few merchants working, and paying, for events to bring shoppers into the city.

Leveraging a special assessment on business owners in the downtown area, the BSD collects about $875,000 in assessments each year to market the downtown and promote numerous special events.

The BSD also receives about $125,000 in sponsorships and fees each year. It conducts some maintenance and improvement programs for the downtown, including providing lavish floral displays in the downtown area, with major infrastructure improvements and projects handled by the city.

The assessment to businesses, which is in addition to standard property taxes, are done on a four-tier system, with first floor retail locations paying the highest rate, of about 49 cents per square foot, charged on an annual basis to landlords who pay pass it through to their tenants. On the lower side of the assessment are upper floor

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businesses located outside the central business district, which pay about 9 cents per square foot.

"If you have a commercial space in the boundaries, then you're assessed," Heiney said. "There is no opt out or choice. If you're in the district, you pay the assessment."

In return, the BSD focuses on marketing, special events, business development and maintenance.

"We haven't done large projects," Heiney said. "We do the flower baskets and we do sidewalk snow removal in the district. We have an agreement with the city to do basic street cleaning and public trash receptacles. Those are some of the improvements." he BSD assessments also follow development ordinances, which regulate retail shops, restaurants and salons to first floor uses, while services such as real estate, attorneys offices, advertising companies, and other uses not reliant on foot traffic to use higher floors. However, what constitutes as "retail" is often stretched.

"It's a work in progress," said Birmingham commissioner Stuart Sherman. "We want to encourage first floor retail. It enhances the walkability of the downtown and the interest. It's not real interesting to walk by an office."

In terms of marketing, the main functions of the BSD focuses on three major advertising campaigns each year, focused on print, some television and broadcast spots over the holiday season, as well as a great deal of online advertising.

However, the BSD's retail leasing program, which started in 2009, is unique and has been one of the keys to facilitating new business downtown.

"When Jacobsen's left their 100,000 square-foot buildings in 2002, the retail was really impacted, and national retailers all started to pull out. Vacancy was on the rise," Heiney said. "By 2007, we had a concerted effort to identify retailers that make sense for Birmingham and to actively recruit them."

Heiney said market research shows that those who do shop in Birmingham tend to be from the area and surrounding communities.

The typical shopper is a female, over 40 years old, with an income of $150,000 per year or more.

"It's a high-income demographic, but we draw from dozens of zip codes throughout metro Detroit," he said. "We have strong dining, salons and spas, which typically draws people from farther away."

Retail consultant Julie Fielder was brought in by the Birmingham BSD in 2009 to recruit new businesses. However, prior to recruiting new tenants, she said the BSD looked at the existing mix of local businesses, which include Tender, Linda Dresner, Lark, Shades, and numerous jewelers, in the downtown area and asked what would strengthen the area. It was then, she said, that they decided to bring in more national retailers which could add appeal to the city's customer base.

"With that, everybody — all the existing retailers — do well," she said. "When you bring in stores that appeal to the trade area, and you have more customers and more repeat visits, then you get more traffic in the downtown area and everyone does well."

Still, Fielder said there is no intention to compete with indoor malls for tenants.

"My background was 25 years in the mall leasing business, so I understand the differences," she said. "We have our own attributes.

What we are doing is getting our message out there about what a great community Birmingham is. It's completely different than an enclosed shopping district."

The process, which started in about 2011, resulted in bringing in Paper Source and J. McLaughlin, which Fielder said have both been successful. In 2012, the PSD brought in Lululemon and Francesca's.

More recently, Blue Mercury, Alex and Ani, West Elm and Sara Campbell have opened locations downtown. Local shoe store Sundance will open in July.

"There isn't a lot of space available in Birmingham, so we have to coordinate the space that is available with tenants who are looking to

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come into the downtown area," Fielder said. "That doesn't allow for more than a couple a year, but we feel those stores we bring in do add something more."

Rochester's Principal Shopping District was created in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives, which collects about $244,000 each year in assessments, ranging from 14 cents per square foot to 23 cents per square foot, on an annual basis. Additionally, the PSD receives a $150,000 contribution from the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which is focused on addressing capital improvements. The PSD also receives about $290,000 annually from sponsorships and fees.

Rochester's PSD hosts about 100 event days throughout the year, including the city's Fire and Ice Festival; Farmer's Market; Deck Art; The Big, Bright Light Show and other events. Promotional and marketing efforts include publishing In Town magazine, the PSD's website and downtown business directory; funding social media efforts; and other promotions.

Birmingham, unlike Rochester, has no Downtown Development Authority, which is typically focused on the development or redevelopment of the brick and mortar portion of a downtown.

Rochester DDA Director Kristi Trevarrow, said Rochester's downtown has a unique family-oriented feel with a mix of mostly independent businesses.

Trevarrow said marketing focuses on local residents and surrounding communities that don't necessarily have a downtown.

"In terms of our target, we made the decision a couple years ago — we see Rochester as a regional downtown," Trevarrow said.

"When we looked at surveys and research, we pull strongly from surrounding communities, so we feel because they don't have downtowns, we feel we are their downtown.”

Rochester Hills resident John Halsey said he considers Rochester his downtown, despite living in the adjacent community.

"I like the family feel and activities, and there is lots of history," he said while accompanying his second grade daughter on a field trip hosted by the city's historical society throughout downtown.

"When I was younger, we used to go out to Royal Oak and party, but when you get older, you want something you can do with the whole family."

"We are a family downtown," Trevarrow said. "We choose events that have wide appeal. You would never feel uncomfortable there.

As a general matter, once I get them to Rochester once, they will be back. If we can introduce young kids early on, they will come back and be supporters of our district, and maybe even be our future entrepreneurs." ormed in 1982, Rochester's DDA utilizes a tax increment financing mechanism to fund DDA projects inside its boundaries. From 2004 to 2014, the city's DDA collected about $20.3 million in taxes in the DDA district. Major projects included a Main Street makeover in 2012, which included a partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation to rebuild the road and streetscape. Last year, the DDA constructed its second parking platform, with the city contributing about $12 million toward the structures.

By contrast, major infrastructure project in Birmingham are headed up by the city, said Birmingham City Manager Joe Valentine.

"Sections of the downtown are planned for infrastructure improvements over the next few years," he said. "Given its age and usefulness, it will be similar to Rochester's (Main Street improvement). Birmingham is in the same situation, and will have to do the same thing in the next few years."

Rochester's Principal Shopping District was formed out of the city's Downtown Development Authority in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives.

Trevarrow said she believes the downtown area is important to residents because it helps to create memories for people living there.

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"If people have a place they are proud of and they call it home and make memories, that gives them a strong foundation in their life," she said. "So many people don't have that special place."

For Rochester, those special places downtown are mostly independent stores.

Birmingham has made efforts in recent years to attract national retailers to the city at the same time it is working with its independent merchants. Trevarrow said Rochester is focused on unique businesses.

"There is nothing wrong with national businesses, but if you fill the downtown with only national chains, then what makes your downtown any different than other ones?" she said. "We have never pursued national chains, and that's not what we are looking for. It doesn't speak to our local character, and that's not what people here are looking for. There are a ton of chains surrounding us.

"If you're actively pursuing people, why pursue those that you can find five miles away?” Trevarrow continued. “The businesses have stories as to why they wanted to open a business here. You don't find that with national chains, and you don't get the same buy in because they have so many channels that they have to go through for participation in events." ochester deputy city manager and director of economic development Nik Banda said he works with potential clients to make sure they are a good fit for the city. In doing so, he said, the city's downtown success speaks for itself. However, that doesn't mean every business will do well in the area.

"We protect our brand by protecting their future. If they can't make it, we did something wrong," he said.

An example, he said, was a fish and chip business that relocated to Rochester from Macomb Township. While the business was doing well on Ryan Road, Banda said he told the owner he had doubts about success in Rochester.

"He served up great food in minutes, and people poured in the parking lot and left," he said. "But, I said if you go on Main Street, you won't have parking.

They aren't going to pop in and drive around to park, and get flash-fried food downtown. You won't have the same volume of people coming in on their way home from work."

Banda said the business owner decided to proceed with the move in spite of the warnings. Within eight weeks, the business was closed.

"We were bummed for him," Banda said. "The good news is that we have the pulse from the community. We can't make anyone not go in, but the landlords vet out who they want and who can pay. When they become part of the Rochester family quickly, and they put an effort forward, it's going to work."

Regardless of marketing efforts, much of the character and success of local downtowns revert back to the planning and will of the local government.

Looking back to the start of Birmingham's 2016 plan, Birmingham mayor pro tem and urban planner Mark Nickita said putting forth the best possible plan and implementing it was the key to Birmingham's downtown success.

"The general thinking was that we have a lot of great assets, and it has been established for years as a regional downtown of importance," he said. "The city developed a plan of a downtown for the future, and where we would like to see it. It's a community embraced plan saying 'this is what we want 20 years from now.' There were lots of specifics in there.

"As with anything, there's not one thing, but overall, there were a number of factors. One key was that the plan was widely embraced by the community and clear to the leaders of the city and those that would implement it, and clear to the community, the developers and those in the private sector. There isn't a day in planning that the 2016 plan doesn't come up."

While undertaking a longterm plan and implementing it in Birmingham has been successful, it's now time for a new longterm planning process in Rochester, which is currently underway.

In April, the city hosted a downtown "visioning session," with the DDA and consultant Ron Drake, a nationally recognized planner who focuses on downtowns.

"I was really impressed with the amount of people who attended," Drake said of the crowd of more than 100 people involved in the visioning session. "There seemed to be a buzz in the room about what was going to happen."

Participants were encouraged to come up with a bucket list of what they would like to see in the downtown district in the future, should money not be an issue. Then, instead of saying why ideas won't work, the results will be compiled and published in a report to assist with planning.

"By the time they finished, there was a vibe in the room that felt like something I haven't seen in many places. A camaraderie," he said. “There were so many community leaders and concerned citizens involved who were all in the same room and had a similar direction."

While Drake couldn't say which ideas appeared to be the predominant visions for the future of downtown, he said he believes there will be much agreement.

"There will be a large number of people who agree with the top 10 ideas they came up with because there was such a unity in the group," he said. "I think that will continue as they see the list."

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MUNICIPAL Township hit with class action suit

By Lisa Brody

A law firm which has been largely successful suing municipalities for excessive water and sewer fees, asserting there has been an effort on the part of the municipalities to raise revenue in violation of the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment, has sued Bloomfield Township in a class action suit, with Bloomfield Township attorney Jamila Youmans, individually and as the representative of the class.

Bloomfield Township residents who have paid the township for water and sewer services since March 31, 2010, have been included in an Oakland County Circuit County suit, Youmans v. Charter Township Bloomfield, filed on Thursday, April 21, which challenges Bloomfield Township's imposition of water and sewer charges as a tax in excess of rates imposed by Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA), which resells water to Bloomfield Township from the city of Detroit, and Oakland County Water Resources Commission, which provides sewer services for the township.

She asserted in the suit, via the law firm Hanley Kickham of Royal Oak, that the water and sewer charges were not proper user fees, but taxes wrongfully imposed by the township to raise revenue in violation of the Headlee Amendment, and that she and others similarly charged had been harmed by the township's collection and retention of the stormwater charges.

The Headlee Amendment, enacted

by Michigan voters in 1978, limits the amount of tax money local governments can increase without a vote of the people.

Waterford Township was sued in a class action suit on the same day, by the same law firm. Hanley Kickham has also sued, and settled, with the cities of Birmingham and Ferndale, while Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Shalina Kumar dismissed a similar suit against Royal Oak on December 17, 2015.

In Bloomfield Township's suit, the firm states that “Michigan state law prohibits a municipality that purchases its water from an authority which purchases its water from the city of Detroit from charging a retail rate that exceeds the 'actual cost of providing the service.'” downtownpublications.com

Peabody's site receives approval he Birmingham City Commission on Monday, April 25, unanimously approved a brownfield plan and reimbursement agreement for $1.4 million for the current site of Peabody's Restaurant, which is in the process of being sold to the Alden Development Group for development of a five-story mixed use building.

Previously, the Birmingham Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Committee recommended the site for $1.4 million in brownfield reimbursement at its meeting on March 10.

Peabody's Restaurant is located at 34965 Woodward Avenue, and was initially the site of Park Smith's grist mill. Peabody's began as a local fruit market in 1946, by Stan and Louise Peabody, grandparents of the current owners, sisters Susan, Nancy and Barbara Peabody. In 1975, Jim Peabody, Stan and Louise's son and Susan and Nancy's father, converted the barn structure that housed the fruit market into a fine restaurant, offering modern American fare and spirits.

In late March, Susan Peabody said there was not yet a closing date with the new owner, and they were remaining open for both diners and parties until that time. “We've got parties booked until August, and we'll keep our customers notified.” They are considering keeping the Peabody's name ongoing, looking for a smaller site in the area to possibly reopen.

The need for a brownfield is because adjacent property, where the Greenleaf Building now sits, at Woodward and Maple, used to be a Shell station, and it is believed that contamination drifted onto the Peabody site.

The brownfield plan and reimbursement agreement will help compensate the developers for environmental cleanup costs.

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The suit also contends that since at least 2010, financial statements show that the township has included its water and sewer rate charges to finance current and future amounts for capital improvements, noting that the fund had $2.4 million on March 31, 2010, and $13.6 million on March 31, 2015.

It further alleges that the township does not pay the water and sewer fund for public fire protection services, yet charges its water and sewer customers.

“The township admits it uses 7 percent of water purchases from SOCWA for its own purposes, including firefighting,” the suit claims. It does not state if that is a common municipal practice, but asserts it constitutes taxes in violation of the Headlee Amendment, and seeks a refund of all amounts that Youmans, and all members of the class, or all residents who have paid water and sewer rates over the last six years. The refund amount could be in the millions of dollars.

2015 crime stable in Bloomfield Township While there were slight upticks in some categories of crime in Bloomfield

Township in 2015, the biggest shift the Bloomfield Township Police Department experienced in the last year was “the lack of support or down right contempt for police officers,” Chief Geof Gaudard wrote in the 2015 annual report of the police department.

The department's annual report was presented to the township's board of trustees on Monday, May 9, by officer Kelly Martin, standing in for Gaudard.

Martin explained that currently the police department is divided into three patrol districts, or areas, covering the northern part of the township; eastern area; and the southern portion. “We are manned (by 64 patrol officers) 24 hours to lessen response times,” Martin said.

In 2015, there were over 24,000 calls of all nature, from criminal sexual conduct to weapons violations, and almost everything in between. “There are 42,343 residents in Bloomfield Township. We had 1,543 cases turned over to our detective division, and 1,273 cased closed, with 71 open at the end of the year,” Martin said.

Once again, there were no murders or carjackings in the township in 2015, the same as in 2014. The biggest increase in crime was in fraud, including identity theft, with 336 cases reported, up from 238 in 2014. There

DOWNTOWN

were only 10 fraud arrests in 2015.

Another area that saw an increase was in larcenies, with 311 incidents, versus 255 in 2014, with 36 arrests made. There was also a significant increase in drug violations, with 150 cases in 2015, and 117 arrests. There were 87 drug violations in 2014.

There were 62 burglaries in the township in 2015, against 57 in 2014, with eight arrests. There were three robberies, while there were six in 2014. There were 46 incidents of vandalism, while 2014 saw 54.

Fourteen vehicles were stolen in 2015; 15 had been stolen in 2014.

There were five incidents of criminal sexual conduct in 2015, and four in 2014. There were 101 assaults in the township in 2015; in 2014, there were 104.

In 2015, the department's K-9 unit experienced a transition, as officer Rico retired after nearly nine years of service, and the department purchased 2-year-old K-9 officer Max, a German Shepherd from Poland.

In addition, Bloomfield Township operates a state-certified animal welfare shelter, staffed by two uniformed animal welfare officers and a civilian employee. The animal welfare division fielded 1,508 calls in 2015, including 843 animal complaints. They also dealt with animal bites and scratches, traps, animals returned to owners, adoptions, and dead animals/disposals.

Within the police department is the Bloomfield Village Police Department, Gaudard explained, where the residents pay an additional one mill for added law enforcement services.

Bloomfield Village had 7,692 calls for service in 2015, notably 6,326 house checks.

However, Gaudard made a point that this past year, the national mood of negativity towards law enforcement was seen locally. “This past year we have seen intense criticism and a negative perception of law enforcement spread across this country the likes I have not witnessed in my 25-plus year career. Special interest groups and the media are quick to judge our actions and decision making without all the facts available or taking into account the split second decision making involved during often violent or extreme encounters,” he wrote in the police report.

Trustees voted unanimously to accept the 2015 annual police report.

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BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra announces the retirement of their esteemed Chairman of the Board, Rich Tropea.

Mr. Tropea has served 25 years dedicated to elevating the BBSO to become one of the finest orchestras in our state. With gratitude and heart-felt appreciation, the BBSO and friends of the orchestra thank Rich Tropea for his extraordinary enthusiasm, commitment to, and passion for classical music and this organization.

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06.16

Claymore Shop owner Bob Benkert dies Bob Benkert, long time owner of men's store The Claymore Shop in Birmingham, passed away on Friday, April 22, after a long battle with leukemia.

He was 76.

Benkert, the epitome of the finely dressed man, owned The Claymore Shop with his wife, J.J. Benkert, who survives him. The store, located at 908 Adams, has long been recognized as a store for the classic man. Its website states they “offer clothing of character and distinction, for the man of character and distinction...in a serene, club-like atmosphere.”

Years ago, he also owned a Ralph Lauren Polo store in downtown Birmingham, where Hyde Park Steakhouse currently is on S. Old Woodward, and was a friend of Lauren's.

Benkert's long time partner, Al Skiba, said he and J.J. intend to keep the store going.

“Both Bob's wife, J.J., and I have spoken about it, and we're going to test run it through the end of the year,” Skiba said. “We have a fiveyear lease, and both J.J. and I are committed to running The Claymore Shop. We will continue it as it is. This August we will celebrate 50 years.”

He noted that he and Bob had been together for almost 38 years, with Bob the more public face of the

store. “While I stayed with the store, Bob loved going to events,” he reminisced. “We were both committed to service and clothing, and to the Birmingham community,” noting that they were at their first location, on N. Old Woodward, was for 28 years, then they were located across from the Birmingham 8 Theatre for five years, before relocating to Adams almost 17 years ago.

Benkert was a member of the Birmingham Shopping District Board of Directors, and was actually one of the first members of what was then the Principal Shopping District Board of Directors in 1992.

“Bob always had a great sense of humor, a great sense of class, and never got too ruffled in all the years I knew him,” said John Heiney, executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District. “As a board member, Bob always had the retailers in mind in discussions. He was particularly interested in parking and was the board representative to the Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee, and reported back monthly to the board.”

Along with the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Heiney said, “We put him up for Business Person of the Year for 2015, which he received. Doing that, I learned much more about his personal side, and learned that he and J.J. volunteered endless hours to Christ Church Cranbrook.”

Heiney said Benkert was also

New Chesterfield fire station design approved

By Lisa Brody

irmingham Fire Chief John Connaughton presented final plans for the new Chesterfield Fire Station, and Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved it at their meeting on Monday, May 9, permitting it to proceed to construction bids.

Connaughton reviewed the process of choosing an architectural firm, which began in July 2015, when the department issued a solicitation to the Michigan Intergovernmental Trade Network to accept sealed proposals from qualified firms. In September, the city commission chose Sidock Group, Inc. of Novi.

Connaughton said it was easy to work with them as they had designed 50 other fire stations and understood the needs of the department, “which was to design and develop a fire station that is very iconic, very functional, and works for the city of Birmingham.” Architect Stacy Peterson, he

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interested in mentoring young people, and brought them into the store from underprivileged areas.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cranbrook on Saturday, May 28 at 1 p.m.

“It will be a celebration of his life,” Skiba said.

Those seeking to remember Benkert can make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan or to the Rector Fund at Christ Church Cranbrook.

Bloomfield Hills approves new budget Bloomfield Hills city commissioners on Tuesday, May 10, approved the budget for fiscal year 2016-2017, which begins July 1, 2016.

Finance director Karen Ruddy presented the $9.52 million budget, which she said included $28,000 in restricted fund balance, an increase from $9.4 million for fiscal year 20152016. She said the increase is primarily due to an increase from property tax revenue and increased revenue from the roads fund for public works' labor and equipment.

The largest source of revenue for the city is property taxes, projected for the upcoming year at $7.7 million, an increase of $40,190 from the current year. Licenses and permits comprise the next largest revenue source, at $516,800; fines and forfeits from the 48th District Court provide $364,824.

Public safety, for police and fire,

said, “gave us a very detailed check list.”

He noted the current station, at the corner of Maple and Chesterfield, was built in 1955 on slab, and is currently 5,100 square feet, and the new one will be 9,800 square feet. The new station will need to house two engines, two rescue vehicles, four firefighters, a Hazmat truck, a utility truck, one technical response vehicle, and have living and sleeping accommodations for at least four firefighters.

“And that's just what we know today,” he said.

“In 1955, the truck bay size was 10 feet; now 15 feet is standard.”

Connaugton said they decided they wanted to keep egress on Maple Road. “We looked at lots of different options, but kept coming back to (moving it) could add 30 seconds response time.

It may not sound like much, but when response time is typically three minutes, 30 seconds is a lot.”

Sydock presented several renditions, with the city's architectural review committee and the planning board helping to shape the final outcome, “which is an iconic, functional structure,” Connaughton said of the red brick

comprises 42 percent of Bloomfield Hills' general fund budget expenditures, projected at $4 million for 2016-2017. Transfers out, a line item for almost $2.3 million, accounts for debt service and capital improvements.

“The largest expenditure, $1.8 million, is to pay for debt,” said Ruddy.

“About $200,000 a year is to pay for capital improvements, and there is some to road construction projects.”

Public works comprises the third largest expenditure, at almost $1 million, budgeted for the upcoming year at $938,942.

The city's water and sewer fund, a completely separate fund which Ruddy explained cannot be intermixed with the general fund, has a budget of $3.5 million.

Bloomfield Hills' regular operating millage rate of 10.6 mills will remain the same as it currently is, with 9.5 mills levied to the general fund and 1.1 mills levied to the road construction fund. A voter-approved .39 millage for Baldwin Public Library has been rolled back to .3843 mills due to the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment, Ruddy said.

“There was a little surplus in the budget, and commissioners agreed to a quick improvement for City Hall,” said city manager Jay Cravens. “The parking lot has been in poor shape, and the DPW building has needed some help. They wanted to put some landscaping screening around it.”

Commissioners agreed to have parking lot improvements made to not

building with white accents.

After viewing the final design, mayor Rackeline Hoff asked, “It looks to me like a big white cross on the window bay. It's in an area surrounded by churches.”

“I think the tower is a good element (where the cross appearance was), but put limestone on each edge and it will look like the windows it's intended to be,” advised commissioner Mark Nickita, a suggestion added to the resolution.

Nickita had concerns about the amount of parking in the front of the station. “Couldn't you put an ADA-compliant space in the back, and put all the parking in the rear? It would make for a much more aesthetic building,” he said.

Planning director Jana Ecker said that it would not work from a public access point of view, as the entrance to the station is in the front.

“If they have the parking in the rear, they don't have access,” she said.

“I'm excited to have this as my neighbor,” said commissioner Patti Bordman.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the plan and authorize the issuance of request for proposals for construction.

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MUNICIPAL exceed $40,000, landscaping improvements not exceed $10,000, and to fix roof leaks and masonry work on the main city hall building, “which hasn't been done in 16-plus years,” Cravens said.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the budget, with commissioner Mike Coakley absent.

La Belle Provence closing its doors La Belle Provence, a French Country design, décor and gift store located at 185 W. Maple in downtown Birmingham, was expected to close its doors by the end of May, according to Liz Fallert, the shop's owner.

“We've been in Birmingham for the last 22 years, and before that in Northville for five years prior,” Fallert said.

The store has long featured beautiful French linens, tableware, serving dishes and accessories, furniture and other items from McKenzie Childs, Chilewich, Garnier Thiebault, and other designers. Fallert said her decision was not easy to make, and was a culmination of changes in Birmingham, including parking issues, as well as personal decisions.

“Sales have been very difficult, even since the recession. There just isn't foot traffic anymore in Birmingham like there used to be.

Even many of my loyal customers say they now shop online,” Fallert said.

“And it's definitely generational. I'm not getting the younger shoppers, who do shop primarily online.”

She said the store would definitely close by May 31. Until then, the store has a big sale going on of all merchandise and she invites everyone to visit her and reminisce.

Pension payments deferral awaits review A recommendation by Bloomfield Township Treasurer Dan Devine to defer payments to Prudential Retirement and Annuity Company towards the township's existing contract for its retirees' defined benefit pension plan did not receive motion support, with trustees preferring to wait for a investment review currently underway to be concluded.

At the board of trustees meeting on Monday, April 25, Devine told fellow trustees that while the township is in downtownpublications.com

Library millage, sewer rate adjusted

By Lisa Brody

irmingham city commissioners on Monday, May 9, unanimously approved increasing the Baldwin Library levy by .31 mills for fiscal year 2016-2017 and planned 2017-2018 in order to finance the proposed renovations of the adult services area of the library, as well as adjusting the city's sewer rate to include $175,000 in additional funding for capital improvement and to provide the appropriate funding of retirees' health care liabilities..

Commissioners were expected to approve the entire 2016-2017 budget on Monday, May 23, after press time. The city's fiscal year runs July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

City commissioners had met on Saturday, April 16, for an all-day budget workshop, but city manager Joe Valentine said the city had recently become aware that the city's sewer fund would be depleted in the next few years if no changes were made based on preparing to implement GASB, which is posting the pension benefit liability to the sewer fund. “Next year we could be running a deficit of $1.8 million,” Valentine said.

Finance director Mark Gerber said that looking forward to fiscal year 2018-2019, “we were looking at a pretty significant deficit of $8 million (in the sewer fund). If we resolved it with property taxes, we'll run out of Headlee cap space because the Headlee cap is decreasing.”

In a memo, Gerber said city staff reviewed proposed road projects for the next four years, reprioritizing their timing. “Even with rescheduling some of the projects, the capital improvement costs for the sewer fund is projected to be $2.5 million annually. As a starting point, it is proposed that $175,000 be added to the sewer rate for fiscal year 2016-2017 to start addressing this shortfall.”

At the same time, commissioners were presented with five options to help fund the library's first phase of projected renovations for the adult services area. Commissioners chose the fifth option, which will increase the library millage .31 mills to 1.41 mills for Birmingham residents in fiscal year 2016-2017 and planned fiscal year 2017-2018, and reduce the city operating levy by .31 mills in each of those years. The option would decrease the city's general fund's fund balance by $651,220 in 2016-2017; and $676,387 in planned 2017-2018.

The plan provides that if the library's fund balance was depleted by emergencies, the city would transfer $200,000 to the library, which would be refunded back to the city once an equal amount in excess of $200,000 in reserves was collected by the library.

“This allows the library project to proceed, and extra Headlee capacity for bonding agencies over the next several years,” explained Valentine.

“Eventually, if you lose your capacity, you lose your Headlee override, and it affects bonding.”

He said it was consistent with the city's five-year forecast, and helps to not negatively impact the city's finances, as well as building up the city's reserves.

Commissioners approved the Baldwin millage increase and the sewer rate adjustment, 7-0.

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the midst of a financial sustainability study with Greystone Financial, a division of Merrill Lynch, “We have an obligation to Prudential with a contract which has been in effect since 1961, with a monthly fund liability. When we first sold the bonds for the equity portion in 2013 (an $80 million-plus bond sale for an equity fund), the interest rates quoted by Prudential were not realistic, and we adjusted one

account. I initially asked for a five-year moratorium (of payments) to allow that $80 million to grow. I was not able to get that. I asked for a two-year moratorium, through December 2017, and they came back for through December 2016, for the first $5 million that would be applicable, and then they'll consider another year. It does allow us to continue to work with Gregory J. Schwartz to grow the equity

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portion. It's a very simple agreement.”

As of March 2016, the $80 million equity account had fallen to about $67 million due to previously unexpected withdrawals to cover Prudential shortfalls.

Responding to a question from trustee Neal Barnett, Devine said the deferral had been presented to the township's financial sustainability committee.

However, trustee Brian Kepes took Devine to task. “I disagree with Dan's assertion that this has been presented to the financial sustainability committee. I sit on the financial sustainability committee, and this has never been presented. Dan has fought against having the financial sustainability committee; he claimed one of the candidates had intimidated him; he has claimed he has more knowledge than the experts on the committee; and he has fought having Greystone review the investment management contracts. Dan, you're so resistant to improving the investments of the township. I get the impression you've swept things under the rug, and, at the 11th hour, presented this, and not had Greystone review this, not had attorneys review this, not had financial managers review this, and then given us a sheet of paper that is self-serving and does not explain anything.”

“I have been concerned about the Prudential contract for a long time, and I've felt we have been on a collision course, and the person in charge has been asleep at the wheel, and now that person wants to take credit,” said trustee Corinne Khederian. “We have sincere concerns about the treasurer, and rely upon the financial sustainability committee. They're the experts, and I would like to hear what they have to say before we move forward.”

Fellow trustees agreed, despite Devine's motion, and voted to table the resolution until they receive a complete report from Greystone and the financial sustainability committee.

Another request for township audit nixed

By Lisa Brody

A request once again by Bloomfield Township Treasurer Dan Devine for what he called an “independent audit” of the township's water and sewer department at the board of trustee's meeting on Monday, April 25, was rejected by a 99

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majority of his fellow trustees, and prompted scorching comments from Bloomfield Township department heads, who stated Devine was “lying” and misrepresenting the truth “in order to discredit not only the supervisor but any department head who may get in his way.”

Devine noted four instances which he asserted proves financial malfeasance by engineers, contractors or department heads, with cost overruns on sanitary sewer or water main projects. The projects are the Romford Drive sanitary sewer extension in 2013; Wing Lake sanitary sewer rehabilitation from 2013; Wing Lake Shores water main replacement phase 1 from 2014; and Long Point Drive sanitary sewer project from 2014.

Included in his resolution were hardship fees that may have been incurred due to what he claimed were excessive cost overruns.

It was revealed through the meeting that while one line item might run over, another did not, with the Long Point Drive sewer project only running 4.5 percent over, within the 10 percent contingency, rather than Devine's assertion that it was up to 90 percent over. The other projects were similarly within the margin of contingency.

Wayne Domine, engineering and environmental director, asserted that Devine simply does not understand construction and construction costs, and that the resolution, “shows how little knowledge the treasurer has of Bloomfield Township operations.” He said, “I'm offended by the language.

It's not a sign off by the department heads – it's a process. It was clear by the meeting that Dan Devine does not understand construction, does not understand the bid process, and does not understand the board process, after sitting on the board for 16 years.

It's been a process for at least 30 years...These projects are not part of the budget, but capital improvement projects. I do my job, and Dan Devine told me I should do a better job. I have worked here under three supervisors, including the 16 years Devine has been here. I now see I have been targeted as an employee

by Dan Devine. I have been accused and targeted by an elected official.”

Noting Devine's recent failed resolutions to eliminate water and sewer rates for seniors, Domine stated, “He didn't even know the financial impact his proposed downtownpublications.com

resolution would have on the department and on the customers who are not senior citizens.” He further pointed out, that despite Devine's assertions that he wants to save taxpayer money, “just in the last six months, the board should be discussing and making taxpayers aware of how much money and time has been wasted and lost because of the treasurer's antics, wild goose chases and witch hunts.”

He elaborated that Devine has cost the township at least $50,000 so far for a dismissed whistleblower's lawsuit against the township and supervisor Leo Savoie, which he is appealing; over $14,000 in legal fees from an outside law firm for an opinion on water and sewer transfers to pension funds; as well as another $10,000 in auditor and legal fees relating to those water and sewer health care benefits transfers, which he refused to do.

Jim Buckley, the township's auditor with UHY, said he does not test every single transaction, “because your audit would be 10 times the cost you're paying. We sample the additions you have through the year, to see if you are following your own policies. If you want to change your policies, that's fine. To audit every transaction for four years – you can't do that. If there are any concerns, we'll look at it.”

Trustee Neal Barnett asked Buckley if Devine had ever come to him or UHY with concerns about water and sewer accounts, and requested a closer look.

“He has not,” Buckley responded.

He also emphasized, “The transfer to the water and sewer health care benefits was the right thing to do.”

Rather than accepting Buckley's advice and counsel, Devine rejected it, claiming Buckley and UHY donated to Savoie's election campaign. “We need someone independent from UHY,” he said.

“You're suing the township, we're spending residents' money to defend against you, now instead of just attacking the secretary of state, the chief of police, you have the audacity to attack UHY because they donated $150, while Schwartz (Gregory J. Schwartz & Co.) donated 10 percent to yours – and last year we had investments, and you were 84 percent off budget,” trustee Brian Kepes challenged Devine.

Tom Trice, director of public works, said that Devine “is creating stress

and fear throughout the departments.

Employees look at what is going on at these board meetings and how one person can create so much havoc by throwing out misinformation...It doesn't have to be true for someone to believe it. It has to stop. We have to go back to running this government, rather than training this treasurer, who has been here for 16 years and is trying to get a crash course in government...and has created a negative work environment.”

Financial director Jason Theis said, “It is full of deception and lacking in facts. It is similar in the treasurer's lack of understanding in other areas of township business, and without speaking to members of his own department or in people working in water and sewer.”

Devine made a motion for the independent audit, but the motion failed, 2-5, with only trustee Dave Buckley joining Devine in supporting it.

Devine’s continuing audit request tabled

By Lisa Brody

Another resolution regarding information on Bloomfield Township water and sewer projects was proposed by treasurer Dan Devine at the township's board of trustees meeting on Monday, May 9, but this time, rather than a lengthy and rancorous discussion, a motion was made to table the resolution until appropriate department heads could review the information, and trustees could meet at a study session to review their recommendations.

Two weeks prior, trustees had failed to support his motion for an independent audit on the township's water and sewer projects, notably for four projects which Devine says have excessive overruns, but which department heads proved had less than a five percent overage. At the May 9 meeting, Devine said, “This is a follow up resolution to the independent audit that I brought up at last meeting, that four projects, that the township supervisor has approved $980,000 of water and sewer projects, and this would permit the township board and the public to be able to track and approve, and no expenditures would be made on water and sewer projects without the board being made aware of for approval, especially the $91,000 that was approved for the Longpointe

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MUNICIPAL sewer project (in 2014). My purpose is to establish before projects are undertaken.”

Previously, township supervisor Leo Savoie and the township board, along with engineering department director Wayne Domine, finance director Jason Theis, and water and sewer director Tom Trice, explained to Devine that certain costs have to be adjusted on job sites administratively, and while some go up, others go down. Trice, Domine and Theis each said Devine had never approached them for an explanation for expenses or how the process worked, and when they did try to explain it, with Domine asserting that “Devine simply does not understand construction and construction costs.”

“The $982,000 that you said was spent administratively was explained at the last meeting, and explained ad nauseum, and how it's part of the grant process, and I'm just sorry you don't understand,” Savoie said.

“In October 2014, we brought forward information on the requirements for the SAW (stormwater, asset management, and wastewater) grant, including the Longpointe sewer system,” Domine said. “It's all online. It detailed all of the failing septic systems.”

“We have department heads on our staff that determine and handle it, and I think it's more important that they review this,” said trustee Brian Kepes. “Dan, you've been in this position for 16 years, and you're now in an election on August 2, and you're in danger of losing your $182,000 pay package. You're desperate to gain some attention, especially with water and sewer. We have professionals on our staff, and I think it's important to get their input.

Our residents demand and expect professionalism. I recommend we table this and refer to our department heads to review, and they can determine if it needs to be reworked.”

Trustee Neal Barnett agreed, noting they could perhaps have a study session after.

Bill Hampton, township attorney, stated that once a motion to table was made, there could be no further comment, including from the public.

Trustees voted 4-2, with Devine and Dave Buckley voting against, and Corinne Khederian absent, to table the resolution until department heads could thoroughly review and downtownpublications.com

Apartments, retail proposed for site

By Lisa Brody

hat the Birmingham planning department refers to as “the hole in the ground” on N. Old Woodward just south of Oak may finally be finding life, decades after the former Carrie Lee Chinese restaurant site was demolished and left as a giant hole.

Bloomfield Township attorney and developer Frank Simon is in the midst of a development proposal for the 856 N. Old Woodward project, which has had preliminary planning board approvals. Simon is proposing a four-story mixed use building which would feature 3,500 square feet of first floor retail space, with three floors of apartments on upper levels.

The building would feature underground parking, below the building, of about 39 spaces for tenants. There would be another 20 parking spots in the rear of the first floor, also for tenants, and 15 street spots.

In preliminary documents, Simon said the building would have a maximum of 27 apartments.

The Rouge River runs along the rear of the parcel.

Preliminary plans note that the parcel is contaminated, from the former gas station located at Woodward and Oak, and Douglas Cleaners at Oak and Old Woodward, “so remediation is needed.” Architect John Marusich of Marusich Architecture LLC in Detroit said the facade will be constructed of brick, stone and glass with a bronze metal canopy signband.

The site is located in the city's D-2 overlay district, which only permits three stories. Documents presented by Simon to the planning board on January 13, 2016, noted that a previous group attempted to develop the site in 2011, and they were approved for a fourth floor. Simon is seeking a variance from the city's Zoning Board of Appeals for the extra floor.

Simon said he will go before the Birmingham planning board for preliminary site plan approval at the May 25 meeting.

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return with recommendations, if necessary.

Birmingham police chief Studt retiring It's been a great 42-year run.

So says Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt, who will officially retire from the police force he has been with since 1974, on Friday, May 27, to begin a new career as an attorney.

Deputy Chief Mark Clemence will assume the chief's position Monday, May 28, upon Studt's retirement.

“Mark's a great guy. You won't know a difference,” Studt said.

Both Studt's retirement and Clemence's promotion were unanimously approved by the Birmingham City Commission at their May 9 meeting.

The Birmingham Police Department is the only adult job Studt has known. A graduate of Henry Ford High School, he grew up in northwest Detroit. “I came out of two years of college at Henry Ford Community College,” he said of joining the department in 1974. “The neighborhood I grew up in, it was a

natural thing to become a policeman, a fireman, or go on the line.”

As soon as he was hired in Birmingham, he moved to the city as well. “I moved here in 1974 when I got the job, and I stayed, and raised my kids here,” he noted, where they attended Pierce Elementary, Derby and Covington Middle Schools, and Seaholm High School. “I've been in the community since.” He plans to stay in Birmingham.

While working his way up the force, he went back to school and received his bachelor's degree from Oakland University, and then went to law school at Wayne State University at night in 1983. “I passed the bar, but I never practiced,” Studt said.

While he considered leaving the department to practice, “When I passed the bar, I was promoted to detective, and detectives made a lot more than a rookie lawyer.”

Studt continued to be promoted from within the department, becoming chief in 2010.

On June 1, however, he will finally put that law degree to use, hanging up his shingle at the Beier Howlett

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law firm in Troy, where he will practice municipal and educational law, which he is very excited about.

Birmingham municipal attorney Tim Currier is a partner at the firm.

“All I want to do is say thank you, both to the community at large and especially to the people I've worked with. It's been a great job, because of the people who work in the department,” Studt said.

More parking coming soon to Birmingham Downtown Birmingham will soon be getting more parking to ease some of the parking crunch it has been experiencing, city manager Joe Valentine said.

At a recent meeting of the city's Advisory Parking Committee, they recommended adding a total of 87 parking spaces in two different plans, which was then unanimously approved by the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, May 9.

The first component of the additional parking proposal is to lease the lot at the northwest corner of Maple and Woodward, adjacent to Hunter House, which has been vacant for several years. Valentine said they would be able to get 37 to 40 spaces there, which would be dedicated to monthly parking permit holders.

The second component is a valet assist plan. “We would issue additional permits in the N. Old Woodward parking structure, and as the structure adds capacity, we would implement the valet component on the top floor of the structure between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” Valentine said. After 2 p.m., drivers can contact the Chester structure office to bring them their keys.

Drivers will have to go to the N. Old Woodward structure, and if it is full, valets will then professionally park their car on the top floor. “It will accommodate an additional 50 parking spaces by having professional parking done on the top floor,” by valets stacking cars, Valentine said.

There will be no additional cost to drivers. The estimated cost to the city would be $50,000 annually.

Valentine said the N. Old Woodward garage will be the city's trial, and if it goes well, they hope to implement it at the city's other parking structures as needed.

105

FACES

Corey Gut rowing up in Birmingham, local veterinarian Corey Gut recalls the pain and confusion of losing a beloved pet during childhood. Now, the popular animal doctor and mother of two is working to help other parents broach the subject of death with their youngsters.

"My mother had a wildlife rehabilitation permit, so we had all kinds of crazy critters at home. I was definitely a huge animal lover from the beginning," Gut said. "I vividly remember when we had to put our cat to sleep, and our golden retriever passed away at home."

As a veterinarian at DePorre Veterinary Hospital in Bloomfield Township, Gut is often asked how she deals with the loss of animals that she works with, and how she explains an impending death to families.

"It's part of my job," she said. "They come to you and say 'so-and-so' is having a hard time moving, and how do I explain this to my kids. There was a need there to talk about how to deal with the death of a family member, which is what our pets are."

Tapping her own experience and consulting with professional psychologists, Gut wrote a children's book based on her niece, Lexie, and the loss of her family dog, Bailey. To assist with the book, Gut's mother, Jaime Myers, drew the color illustrations.

"It's one of the hardest things for parents to talk about because it's such an emotional topic for them," she said. "It's hard enough for the parent to go through it. But, the one thing I have found out is that families that are very open with their kids have them around the process, and they read the book and talk about it."

Gut is now working to sell the book, not just directly to consumers through traditional channels, such as Amazon and other book sellers, but through a Kickstarter campaign to get the book into as many schools and libraries as possible so it's available to children when the time is appropriate.

"Obviously, it isn't the point to make children sad," she said.

"It's a tool for when you need it."

While writing the book was one challenge for Gut, she said the bigger challenge was learning how to navigate the publishing industry, something that hadn't been required of her previously in her career.

"The hardest part is getting the book out there," she said.

"The writing is the easiest part."

Raised in Birmingham, Gut attended Bingham Farms Elementary School, later graduating from Groves High School.

It was during her time at Groves that Gut worked part-time at DePorre Veterinary Hospital. After graduation, she attended Michigan State University, returning later to area. She worked for 10 years at Brinker Veterinary Hospital in Lake Orion until 2013, when she rejoined DePorre. She now lives in Franklin with her husband and two daughters, along with their dogs, Vinnie and Derby.

Throughout her career, Gut's roles have included that of international surgeon, wildlife doctor, Earthwatch rescue and rehabilitation, veterinary counselor and professor. And while most of her work today involves family pets, she said her favorite animals overall are probably seals. But she still loves working with family pets.

"I love dogs and cats," she said. "I love the human-animal bond, and I love working with families and kids coming in with their new puppies," she said.

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Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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248.506.7345 HGeyer@HallandHunter.com

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Michael Perrotta

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Stunning warm contemporary offering total privacy with sleek design spanning more than 7200 square feet. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the vast rooms with natural daylight. Impressive details throughout, including 10' oak doors, hardwood floors, granite and marble. Fabulous master with dual baths. Kitchen with two islands opens to family room. Finished lower level.

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CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 55 Quarton Road | $1,100,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,289 Square Feet MLS# 216048345

Stately brick Colonial on over an acre of lush grounds offering total privacy. A dramatic two-story entry showcases the open floor plan that is perfect for comfortable living and effortless entertaining. Numerous upgrades throughout, as well as balconies off the master suite and guest room that offer beautiful views of the secluded in-ground pool area. 3-car garage and full house generator. Award-winning Birmingham schools.

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ROYAL OAK 708 Hawthorn Avenue | $335,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 1,403 Square Feet MLS# 216018302

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Pristine landmark Tudor in charming Poppleton Park elegantly updated for today’s living! Stylish details include paver stone walkways and original slate floors throughout foyer, dining room and kitchen. Beautiful family room addition and lovely formal living room with marble fireplace. Spacious master suite with renovated bath. Impeccable!

Gorgeous setting with panoramic views of Birmingham CC golf course! Beautifully renovated home on elevated site has updated chef’s kitchen and master suite with heated marble floors in bath. Finished lower level with light-filled office, wine storage cabinet, exercise room & half bath. Newer deck, fenced yard and so much more!

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | 2,984 Square Feet | MLS# 216047532

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 3 Half Baths | 3,084 Square Feet | MLS# 216045129

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS 1772 Heron Ridge Drive | $1,599,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,385 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 216023366

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BIRMINGHAM 682 Wallace Street | $1,250,000 3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 3,457 Square Feet MLS# 216023734

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TROY 2360 Hidden Pine Drive | $610,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 3,315 Square Feet MLS# 216046466

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248.808.3112 CRiback@HallandHunter.com

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BIRMINGHAM 1875 Stanley Boulevard | $709,900 4 Bedrooms 4 Full Baths 2,493 Square Feet MLS# 216045936

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Custom-built home close to town with rare 1st floor bedroom with full bath. Finished LL has study/ 5th bedroom. Private fenced yard, large deck and electric gate.

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 4640 Wind Ridge Court | $1,650,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 9,122 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 216046005

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Walkout LL with wine cellar/ tasting room. Multiple patios.

Garages with space for 8 cars.

BIRMINGHAM 2467 Polo Place | $549,900 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,541 Square Feet MLS# 216036350

Tucked-away contemporary on approx. 1/2 acre wooded lot. Eat-in kitchen overlooks garden. Partially finished LL. Walk to Lincoln Hills and Seaholm High School.

Visit LynnandDeby.com or Like Us on Facebook at Lynn and Deby - Hall & Hunter Realtors 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

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248.593.0806

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FARMINGTON HILLS 30435 W. Ten Mile Road | $495,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,865 Total Sq. Feet MLS# 216042451

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this designated historic site on 1.4 acres with a 3400 sq. ft. studio and 3 auxiliary buildings. This special home features a welcoming kitchen, newer great room overlooking the courtyard & so much more!

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500

Joanne Carter Associate Broker

Amy Zimmer & Tiffany Glime 248.469.6430

248.321.3471

AZimmer@HallandHunter.com

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BUSINESS MATTERS Outdoor action retailer Outdoor enthusiasts will have more gear options this summer with the opening of a Summit Sports store location at 1739 Telegraph, near Roadside B&G, in Bloomfield Township. The outdoor and action gear retailer has been operating since 1990, but will make its debut in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area this summer, said company spokesman Roland Jimenez. While a hard opening date hasn’t been set, he said they are hoping to have the store open to the public by the first week of July, with a grand opening ceremony slated for a later date this summer. Recently, Summit merged with Texas-based paddle sports manufacturer Austin Canoe and Kayak (ACK). The merger will allow Summit to operate a new store-within-a-store concept and offer an expanded selection of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and related accessories. “When you see our store in the winter, it’s mostly ski and snowboard equipment, but in the summer, that will change to paddle sports,” Jimenez said. “In the past, paddle sports didn’t have a large emphasis, and we are trying now to accommodate the growth of the sport.” He said the store will offer gear for all levels and price ranges. The opening of the Bloomfield Township location also includes the closure of a Keego Harbor location, as well as the expansion of a Brighton store. Summit Sports operates eight e-commerce brands and nine brick and mortar locations.

Luxury car showroom Birmingham residents and business owners Erica and Syed Ahmed recently relocated their boutique luxury car showroom from Troy to Birmingham’s Triangle District.

Platinum Motorcars, 1098 S. Adams, in Birmingham, is located at Adams and Lincoln, in the formerly vacant Parks Tailoring location. Unlike any typical used car showroom, Erica Ahmed said the exotic luxury cars offered by Platinum are “previously enjoyed” vehicles, that include a stable of high-end BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Lotus, Ferrari, McLaren and other vehicles. “My husband is the owner, and he was a major car enthusiast, and people would ask him for advice,” she said. “He never really wanted to open the business, but six years later, he’s loving it. We have a niche clientele of people who love cars.

We have a lot of returning clients who know what they are looking for. We also have a grip on what people desire and what is popular.” Among the most popular brands are otherwise hard-to-

find vehicles, such as used Tesla vehicles. Erica said the new location also allows the business to offer financing and leasing options, which weren’t available in-house at their previous Troy location. “That’s a big step,” she said. While the company maintains a stock of about 40 or 50 cars, less than 10 are typically kept at the showroom. “It’s a fantastic place, and we have so many cars that people love,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of places you can go and see all the makes and models in one place. It’s fun, and we have a lot of fantastic customers.”

LANDSCAPES THAT MAKES SENSE DAVE: 248-828-0055

New name, same service Tax service provider H&R Block, 1185 S. Adams, in Birmingham has been renamed and rebranded as Block Advisors in order to provide tax preparation services throughout the entire year. H&R Block announced earlier this year that it would launch the new service under the new moniker. The rebranded location is one of nearly 300 new locations nationwide. H&R Block president and CEO Bill Cobb said at the time that the change came after extensive research and client requests spurred the need for dedicated tax experts to help plan throughout the year. H&R Block is the world’s largest consumer tax service provider, with more than 680 million tax returns provided worldwide since 1995.

Realtor growth Former Birmingham-based Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel announced it has acquired the top real estate brokerage firm in the greater Lansing area, Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood.

The acquisition means the addition of six offices, 195 sales associates and nearly 50 employees to the Weir Manual family, making Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel the seventh largest Coldwell Banker franchise in the country. John North, CEO of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel, will also serve as CEO of the recently acquired franchise. The first office of what is now Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel opened its doors in 1950 in downtown Birmingham. The firm became affiliated with Coldwell Banker in 2009, and at the same time acquired several Michigan brokers as part of an aggressive growth strategy. The business is currently headquartered in Bingham Farms.

Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. 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.

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

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Arthur Avenue: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0768.

Au Cochon: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009.

248.792.7795.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.792.3579.

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

248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.

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

Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only.

Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

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

248.645.6879.

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Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township.

248.642.4000.

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.

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

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

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

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

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.9766.

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

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

248.642.1135.

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939.

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

248.647.2420.

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

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400 Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations.

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

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

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S.

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Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

Ironwood Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 6 or more. Liquor.

290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.385.0506.

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.

La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492.

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, 48304. 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.

Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor.

185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025.

248.723.7960.

Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

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.

Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.

Nosh & Rye: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.7923.

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 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: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966.

Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-

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Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122.

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

248.645.6999.

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

Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

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

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

Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6200.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & 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.

Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009.

248.220.4167.

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, Lunch only. 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.

Sweet Tree Family Restaurant: Middle Eastern/American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.7767.

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 Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 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.

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FRONT/BACK Front/Back is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening in both the front of the house and back of the house in the restaurants in the metro Detroit area.

Memorializing Morrie Aaron F. Belen, owner of AFB Hospitality restaurants Bistro 82 and Sabrage, located on the first and second floors of 401 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, is bringing a new hot spot to downtown Royal Oak with The Morrie, a roadhouse style restaurant at 511 S. Main Street, expected to open by the end of July. Executive chef Derik Watson, who’s been with Belen since the launch of Bistro 82, is curating the menu. “We’re calling it eclectic roadhouse cuisine,” said Belen, “or in layman’s terms, great bar food. You could eat here seven days a week.” He’s aiming to reach a broad audience by providing dishes that are “approachable and affordable,” served in a “wonderful atmosphere.” The Morrie, which will have an outdoor patio, will likely host live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and the 7,400 square foot building is suitable for events. “I was named 2015 Business Man of the Year for the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce. We’re very rooted in Royal Oak – it’s not a short term thing.”

Seafood and veggie spot Marc Bogoff, chef-owner of Stockyard food truck, and friend Eli Boyer, formerly of Gold Cash Gold, will launch a seafood and vegetable-focused restaurant, equipped with a raw bar. Located across from Luxury Lanes bowling alley, at 600 Vester Avenue in Ferndale, Bogoff said construction on the currently unnamed restaurant will begin in early June, with hopes of an autumn opening. “Raw seafood bars are great. I love eating oysters,” said Bogoff. “We’ll have different ceviches, and there will be a small seafood bar in addition to 15 composed dishes. Everything will be scratch-made, a wide variety.” Bogoff and Boyer crossed paths in Detroit’s culinary scene, and discovered they could “help each other out,” said Bogoff, who brings creativity to the kitchen, while Boyer focuses on management. In its third year, Bogoff’s Stockyard is rolling around serving up fresh eats, and looking for a permanent space to call home.

Italian chef returns home After closing for a brief hiatus, Troy’s Tre Monti Ristorante, 1695 Big Beaver Road, will reopen in early June with an innovate new menu, crafted by the Italian restaurant’s latest executive chef, Benedetto Palazzolo.

Palazzolo recently returned from Italy to his home state after training at The International School of Italian Cuisine in Parma. He previously studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York, and worked at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. “We’re keeping all Italian cuisine, with an infusion of French techniques and Asian influence,” said the 23-year-old, noting all of the pastas at Tre Monti are made from scratch. Describing how these flavors can mesh, he described the lemon saffron pasta dish, topped with sea urchin. “You get beautiful lemon flavor from the sauce, which complements the texture of pasta, but that urchin is buttery, with a fishy flavor but the lemon complements it. And a little spice from red Thai peppers.” With a focus on courses that excite various parts of the palate, Palazzolo whips up elaborate deserts, including the surprisingly entertaining Chocolate Piñata Spears, eaten right off the table. “They’re nine-inches in diameter, and filled with different types of ganaches, caramel, and taffy. I break it on the table, and draw with different types of sauces,” said the chef.

Chef promotion “We’ve been busy working on the spring and summer menu, and replanting the garden,” said Gabby Milton, executive chef at Big Rock Chophouse.

Milton, who’s been with the restaurant since 2014, was promoted from within, replacing former Executive Chef Matthew Fitchett, who moved on to Pine Lake County Club. “It’s exiting. I’m the first female chef here since Chef Carol who opened the restaurant,” said Milton, who came to Big Rock from Midland’s H Hotel after working in the catering department at Walt Disney World and graduating from the Texas Culinary Academy, a Le Cordon Bleu school. While keeping the traditions of Big Rock alive, Milton doesn’t hesitate to bring her own personal flare to the plate. On the season’s

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.4237.

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

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

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7881.

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

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

Village Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams.

Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964.

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

248.566.3566.

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917 Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680.

Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999.

Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.0082.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699.

Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.268.1621.

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069.

248.544.2675.

D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.7400.

Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.206.7510.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145.

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.591.5459.

Local Kitchen and Bar: American.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947.

One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633.

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900.

Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300.

Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888.

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.541.1186.

Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.7300/ Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444.

Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.545,6750.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.218.6001.

Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

Ganbei Chinese Restaurant and Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307.

248.266.6687.

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083.

248.619.9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400.

Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084.

248.637.6400.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.453.5371.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083.

248.689.2332.

Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845.

NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084.

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200.

Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.524.1944.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424.

Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306.

248.652.4500.

Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.817.2980.

Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.

West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600.

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500.

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334.

248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.851.8782.

The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield,

48034. 248.358.1310.

Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890.

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622.

Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American.

Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076.

248.559.5985.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223.

It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390.

248.698.2400.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.620.6100.

Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442.

248.634.5208.

Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346.

248.795.2077.

Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660

Detroit Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.1355.

Antietam: French. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207.

313.782.4378.

Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2040 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

updated menu, which launched toward the end of May, Milton said, “I’m putting on a Tuna Tartar. It’s really fresh and has a good balance of heat and salty and also some acid, with lemon and lime. I’m excited about that dish, and I’m excited about Scallops and Shrimp, served with black rice. It’s got fried cauliflower, tossed in lime, soy, sweet-salty, citrusy briny sauce, and garnished with grapefruit and morel mushrooms. It will be great and light for summer, but give that (rich) morel and scallop flavor.” Milton also oversees operations at the Reserve, a private dining space owned by Big Rock’s founders, Norman and Bonnie LePage.

The Lady dishes Spearheading Lady of the House, a forthcoming Detroit restaurant, chef Kate Williams, formerly of Republic, is offering a taste of what’s to come.

“It’s just me, and my team. Five courses, and kind of a preview of some things we’ll do at the restaurant,” said Williams, who’s hosting dinner at Eastern Market on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. “We’ll open sometime this year. We knew it would be a long process with the space, with rezoning and environmental (requirements). We’re excited to be in Corktown. I work with all the local farmers – a ton in Corktown, and Recovery Park Farms, one out in Ann Arbor.” As for the menu, Lady will have more vegetable-focused dishes than some of Williams’ previous endeavors, but, she said, “I believe in using all of every animal. I’ll still be using the whole animal, just equaling it out.” Tickets for the dinner series are available on the Lady of the House website.

Brunch at Central Central Kitchen + Bar, 660 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, has unveiled a brunch menu, offered Sundays from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Founded by Dennis Archer, Jr., CEO of Ignition Media, publisher of Ambassador magazine, and son of Detroit’s former mayor, who shares the same name, the gastro pub opened in Cadillac Square late last summer. Executive Chef Christina Stanco, formerly of Café ML and Luxe Bar & Grill, cooks up a varied menu of sweet and savory dishes, including a chef’s preference Belgian waffle that managing partner Ken Karam described as “out of this world, like nothing I had before. It’s made with brioche, cut almost like a brick, then flash-fried, coated in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with orange milk jam, like an icing, and (set atop) a smear of Nutella on the plate. Garnished with hazelnuts.” For something more carnivorous, Central offers Nueske’s Pork Belly Hash, Chorizo Tacos, and their signature burger. The bar remains open an extra hour, offering mimosas, bloody Mary’s, in addition to the full cocktail menu.

Market, bistro partnership Chef-owner David Gilbert, of the upscale French restaurant Marais, has partnered with Michigan-based Westborn Market to open a modest bistro in the market’s forthcoming Plymouth location. Keeping his presence strong at Marais, Gilbert will remain in his position as executive chef at the Grosse Pointe restaurant, 17051 Kercheval Avenue, and hire two chefs to run the unnamed Plymouth bistro. Westborn Market, owned and operated by the Anusbigian family for over 40 years, currently has locations in Berkley, Livonia, and Dearborn. The Plymouth location is expected to open in June, said a representative of the Berkley store.

Pop Up Intel: The Menagerie, 31 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac: Indian Cuisine with Preeti Sidhu, home chef and caterer, June 4. Graham Schave, owner, Your Gourmet, Personal Chef & Private Catering, June 11. Michigan In Season, with Kyle Williams, weekly brunch chef at The Menagerie, June 18. menageriekitchen.com

Front/Back is reported each month by Katie Deska. KatieDeska@DowntownPublications.com. We welcome news items or tips, on or off the record, about what's happening in the front or back of the house at metro area restaurants.

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42757 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills – 248-481-7767 Just South of Square Lake Road 124

100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.2622.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600.

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122.

Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837.

Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Maccabees at Midtown: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202.

313.831.9311.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616.

Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221.

313.863.1917.

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226.

313.309.2499.

Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.2100.

Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207.

313.831.5940.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900.

Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366.

Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.438.5055.

DOWNTOWN

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214.

313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216.

313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.964.4010.

Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.782.4313.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American.

Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

06.16

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A home that you can truly call paradise....Your own private lakefront retreat in the heart of it all with 131â&#x20AC;&#x2122; of lake frontage on Wing Lake nestled amongst $1,000,000+ homes w/a million dollar view. Mature trees for added privacy and professionally landscaped pristine yard. Cozy front porch to inviting entry. Gourmet eat-in kitchen w/breakfast nook, bar, buffet, under cabinet lighting, and granite. Formal dining room w/breathtaking lakefront views. Living room w/built-ins & large door wall to pool. Finished LL w/rec area, pool table, full bath, family room, fireplace, and doorwall to sunroom. Master suite w/private deck, WIC, & full updated bath. Generous sized bedrooms & main bath. Backyard is the entertainers dream! Colorado red flagstone patios surround the pool deck. Deluxe in-ground pool overlooking lake. Over $150,000 of improvements made to this home. Hardwoods under most carpeted areas. 3-car side entry garage. Circular drive. Private "Executives" lake w/beach access. BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS. $839,900.

Keller Williams Realty

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2730 Union Lake Road

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Commerce Twp, MI 48382

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

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“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.”– Maria Montessori As many of you are aware, The Community House is a non-profit that is home to those seeking continuity between personal, professional, philanthropic and recreational pursuits. For nearly a century, we have provided an extraordinary destination where people can come together to enjoy extraordinary experiences. From educational development to the early planning of life’s landmark events…from business to pleasure, from charity to recreation…it all starts at The Community House.

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Within this broad and noble description lies perhaps one of The Community’s House’s highest callings – it is our calling to tend to, educate and care for our children and young adults - from infancy into adulthood. Each day, we meet that calling through our many children and young adult programs, classes, camps and enrichment.

On a even higher level, we meet that calling each day through our iconic, five-star, Early Childhood Center.

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Through our Early Childhood Center program, we are reminded that “Child development refers to the changes that occur as a child grows and develops in relation to being physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally sound, socially competent and ready to learn.” Experts tell us that “the first five years of a child’s life are fundamentally important. They are the foundation that shapes children’s future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general.”

181 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009 Phone: (248) 642-1690 CeresnieandOffenfurs.com

Bill Seklar

Research confirms “that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child’s brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain’s organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.” The Community House’s Early Childhood Center has been delivering on these essential services – at a high level – for over 25 years.

Hours: M-F 10-6, SAT 10-5 *Shearling, Leather, Fur Trimmed and Reversibles are extra.

At its core, The Community House has been investing immeasurable resources into its children and young adults since it was established in 1923. And rightfully so. It is precisely what our founders laid the groundwork for us to do. We truly believe that “investing financial resources to help all children survive and develop to their full potential is, first and foremost, a moral imperative. But investing in children is also important on practical grounds. It yields positive benefits to economies and societies.”

Whether we invest our limited time, talent and treasure into expanding our Early Childhood Center and investing in its dedicated teachers, staff and aides or use our limited resources to grow and enrich our children and young adults programs, services, classes and camps – we must always find a way.

If we believe that the first five years of a child’s life are fundamentally important, then we must also believe that “the foundation of an individual’s health and well-being is also laid in early childhood.” Children are increasingly seen as one of best and most valuable long-term investments a society can make. We at The Community House believe that investing in our children and young adults has been the best and most valuable long-term investment we could have ever made. Stay tuned. Our work has just begun.

Let the

Gentlem

Take Ca en Movers re of Yo ur Move !

TCH Early Childhood Center Breaking News! The Early Childhood Center of The Community House is the first center in Oakland and Macomb County to earn a five-star rating from Great Start to Quality; Michigan’s new rating and improvement system for childcare and preschool.

We offer the nationally recognized High Scope Curriculum in a loving, safe environment along with extras like Spanish, music, and computer classes. Limited openings! Accepting applications now!

248-639-4748

www.changingplacesmovers.com

Lic #: L-21897 126

ACT/SAT Bootcamp NEW! The ACT/SAT summer boot camp is designed to assess your student where they are in the test preparation process and to meet the student’s individual needs.

This workshop is for those who wish to improve their test-taking skills and strategies as well as their overall scores on the college entrance exams. The ACT/SAT Workshop provides valuable instruction for the ACT and SAT. The courses include diagnostic testing, strategies for answering questions in all testing areas, instruction in time management, essay writing, and more. Instructor: Rebecca Goldberg – Birmingham Public School Certified Teacher. Register now!

To register for TCH programs or classes, summer camps or to receive a TCH Summer Camps Catalog, go to www.tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832.

DOWNTOWN

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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.

Catholic Charities Spring Gala

Catholic Charities Spring Gala Most of the 350 tickets holders ($150) attended the Mercy in Action theme fundraiser for the Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan at the Royal Park Sally Gerak Hotel. During the cocktail hour, guests socialized and perused the silent auctions and wine pull ($13,425). Msgr. Chuck Kosanke cochaired the event with Linda Luchi and chairs the board of CCSEM. (It was formed in 2013 by merging six county archdiocesan social service agencies.) After Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron said the grace before dinner, he told guests that he was reassigning Msgr. Kosanke from his duties as pastor at St. Regis in Bloomfield Township to two historic Detroit parishes – St. Anne’s and Most Holy Trinity.

Following a superb dinner, dedicated soup kitchen volunteer Frank Cruz received the Mercy in Action Award and Msgr. Robert Monticello received the Distinguished Service Award. Christopher Aslanian then generated $11,300 in the brief live auction and pledges totaling $23,950 for the All Saints Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen in Southwest Detroit. This brought the event net to around $75,000 for helping the 20,000 people of all ages served by the agency.

ALS Association Legacy of Hope The first ALS Legacy of Hope three years ago honored Al Taubman and Dr. Eva Feldman, who directs the Taubman Institute in Ann Arbor. At that event, Taubman, who has since departed this earth, told guests that “…ALS is my number one target.” Feldman still labors in the clinic and research lab and she warmly introduced Florine Mark, one of this year’s honorees. Mark’s late husband Bill Ross, who had ALS, was Feldman’s patient. “They had a love affair and I knew it…One day Eva will find an answer,” declared Mark. She got a standing ovation from the 250-plus guests ($150 and up). Dr. Partha Nandi emceed the dinner program. In it ALS chapter executive director Paula Morning also saluted Peggy Fenwick, Doris Allen and the patient/caregiver team of Debra Douglass and her son Tyler. “I have ALS. It does not have me, “ Debra resolutely declared. In addition to a splendid dinner, the evening also included a silent auction ($20,000) and a brief live auction conducted by board members Harold Burrell and Craig VanSplunter.

The $12,500 they raised brought the event total to $100,000 for ALS Michigan Chapter to provide hope through its research and patient support programs.

Bloomfield Hills Schools CeleBHation “In Bloomfield Hills schools I learned to love to learn,” declared Dr. Abdul ElSayed. The BHS alum and, since last summer, the executive director of the Detroit Health Department, was the keynote speaker at the BHS Foundation’s second annual fundraising gala. After 9/11 when he was being harassed because of his name, his football coach advised him “…to use your name as motivation, not as an excuse.” The speaker at his University of Michigan commencement, he went on to be a Rhodes Scholar and got his MD at Columbia. He also noted the great discrepancy in opportunities between Bloomfield Hills and Detroit, and got a standing ovation when he concluded, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The soiree attracted 173 ($125, $250 tickets) to Forest Lake Country Club. They bid $10,750 in the silent auction and $12,125 in the live auction conducted by Gary Mach. They also enjoyed selections from “West Side Story” performed by BHHS theatre students. The enjoyable evening raised more than $65,000 for the foundation’s enrichment programs.

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1. Msgr. Chuck Kosanke and Michael & Carolyn Moore of Bloomfield, Lory McGlinnen of Grosse Pointe. 2. Jennifer & Christopher Cobb of Rochester Hills. 3. Gale & Gina Forbes of Bloomfield.

4. Ari (left) & Caroline Groeneveld and Trish & Dave Mervenne of Bloomfield. 5. Dennis (left) & Christine Fornal of Shelby Twp., Nadine & Bill Mott of Rochester Hills.

ALS Association Legacy of Hope

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3 1. Dr. Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Florine Mark of Farmington Hills. 2. Susie Vestevich (left) of Birmingham, Kevin Lasser of Rochester Hills, Harold & Martha Burrell of East Grand Rapids. 3. Kay (left) & Joe McGlynn of Bloomfield, Kevin McGlynn of Ferndale and Dr. Dan Newman of Ann Arbor.

4. Bonnie Clelland (left), Judy Morse and Dale & Pat Proulx of Rochester Hills.

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Bloomfield Hills Schools CeleBHation

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5 Kenya Relief Benefit Physicians Luisa Di Lorenzo and Joe Skoney hosted a cocktail event that drew more than 60 good-hearted folks to the Village Club to hear Steve James, a nowretired nurse anesthetist, tell the heart wrenching story about his founding of Kenya Relief. The hosts, like some others on the event committee, have served on mission teams that do surgeries at the KR medical center near Migori, Kenya.

According to James, DiLorenzo and Skoney have also adopted seven of the children who live at the KR orphanage, which is in dire need of a dining hall. And that was the focus of “the pitch.” A video drove home that need and the power of compassion prompted donations totaling $25,000, “…and still coming in,” according to

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1. Charlie Hollerith (left) and John Roberts of Bloomfield, Mary Ellen Miller of Troy. 2. Dr. Rob & Dr. Cynthia Glass of Bloomfield. 3. Jackie El-Sayed (left) of Bloomfield, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of Detroit, Ken Macon of W. Bloomfield. 4. Cathie Badalamenti (left) of Birmingham, Jan Frank of Bloomfield. 5. Rob (left) & Diane Durecka of Bloomfield, Michelle & Scott Sugg and Chris & Megan Johnston of W. Bloomfield.

6. Ingrid Day (left) and Cynthia & Paul von Oeyen of Bloomfield.

7. Toni Kloss (left) of Troy, Judy & Doug McDonald of Bloomfield, James Badalamenti of Birmingham, Julie & Rocky Gust of Bloomfield. 8. Shelley Taub (left) and Paul & Sue Nine of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Kenya Relief Benefit

committee member/KidsEmpowered founder Kimber Bishop-Yanke. Others on the committee included Drs. Tim and Jill Page, Dr. William Goldstein, Tara Barr, Kate Cahill Durak, Shelley Foley Trainor, Laura Lilley, Liz Studley and George Piliourias.

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1. Dr. Joe Skoney & Dr. Luisa DiLorenzo, Steve James of Culllman, AL. 2. George Piliourias of Rochester, Drs. Jill & Tim Page of Birmingham and Liz Studley of Canton.

3. Richard Astrein (left) of Huntington Woods, Kate Durak of Bloomfield. 4. Jane Osgood (left), Kim Fortin and Ellen Chase of Bloomfield. 5. Msgr. Tony Tocco (left) and Eddie & Lisa Mancini of Bloomfield.

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Karmanos Institute Annual Dinner

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1. Event chairs GM’s Steve & Paula Kiefer of Northville. 2. Tony (left) & Mary Barra of Northville, Dick & Eleanor Gabrys of Bloomfield. 3. Patti & Jim Prowse of Bloomfield. 4. Kappy (left) & congressman Dave Trott of Birmingham, Dr. Irwin & Roberta Madorsky of Bloomfield. 5 KCI CEO Gerold Bepler (left) of Bloomfield, Michelle & Chuck Becker of Grosse Pointe.

6. Jessie Beld-Elliott (left) and Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield, Jennifer Lord of W. Bloomfield. 7. George & Jill Volik of Rochester. 8. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro (Bumblebee) T4 version from Transformers movies with George & Jill Volik of Rochester. 9. Karmanos doctors Ulka Valshampayan (left) of Troy, Fayth Yoshinora & Tony Shields of Bloomfield, Natasha Robinette of Grosse Isle. 10. Jennifer (standing) & Joe Damman of Lake Orion, Stephanie & Jim Zainea of Rochester Hills.

Humane Society Bow Wow Brunch

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1. Richard (left) & Susie Roth of Bloomfield, Terri & Bob Lutz of Ann Arbor. 2. Ray & Rita Dallavecchia of Bloomfield.

3. Laurie Sall (left), Cheryl and Karen Daskas of Birmingham, Melissa Gesnie of Detroit. 4. Bill Seklar of Bloomfield.

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Karmanos Institute Annual Dinner During its 34 year history, the Karmanos Cancer Institute Annual Dinner has been held in unique venues ranging from private estates to auto factories. But it will be hard to top the 2016 version that attracted more than 600 ($750, $525 tickets) to a huge sound stage at the Michigan Motion Pictures Studios in Pontiac. It was co-chaired by Paula and GM’s Steve Kiefer. Steve credited his wife for the food and decor.

The latter paired GM vehicles with scenery from Transformers and other movies for dramatic effect. He also saluted past chairs in the crowd – Mark and Kim Reuss and Dan and Pernilla Amman – and named GM CEO Mary and Tony Barra as chairs of the 2017 annual dinner. New board chair Dick Gabrys noted that his predecessors “…have set a high bar,” but vowed to continue the quest “…for a future free of cancer.” KCI President/CEO Gerold Bepler presented past board chair Chuck Becker with a gift of gratitude for “…leading us through revolutionary change.” It will also be hard to top the beneficence of GM and other major sponsors as well as the generous bidding during the live auction conducted by Texan Spanky Assiter, a cancer survivor. He got $150,000 for a Shinola City Clock and another $150,000 for a private, Forte Belanger dinner party for 10 with Steve Keifer at the GM Heritage Center. This brought the auction total to $644,500, including $170,000 for a Grand Sport Corvette. The total raised for Karmanos cancer research by the 34th annual dinner was an astounding $2.4 million-plus.

Humane Society Bow Wow Brunch Terri Lutz and Debbie Markham co-chaired the 27th annual Michigan Humane Society fundraiser which attracted more than 625 to the MGM Grand. Before brunch, guests socialized, checked out the four-legged adoptables who came with MHS volunteers and bid more than $43,000 in the silent auction. WDIV’s Andrew Humphrey emceed the program that included executive director Matthew Pepper’s declaration that “…we find homes for every treatable animal” and board chair Paul Huxley’s boast that the capital campaign to fund the new 35,000 square foot Detroit Animal Care Dresner Campus exceeded its goal. “We are good stewards of your donations,” he concluded as all raised their champagne glasses in a toast to the new facility. A spirited live auction followed and raised $74,200. Pledging added another $22,000-plus. Also, 10 animal lovers agreed to be in the doghouse until others donated money for their “release”.

Linda Axe was the top solicitor at $27,000 with attorney John Schaefer and Tender owners Cheryl and Karen Daskas close behind. Other good guy doghouse occupants include Richard F. Roth, Kelli Burris, Lori Lammon, Mike Morse, Sarah Prues Hecke, Mojo in the Morning and Wendy Batiste-Johnson. So far, the event and the Doghouse contributions have raised a record-setting $450,000-plus.

Gleaner’s Women’s Power Breakfast More than 640 influential women ($120, $85 tickets) convened early the morning of April 21 in Eastern Market’s Shed 3 for the 23rd annual Women’s Power Breakfast chaired

by Faye Nelson, Andra Rush and Nancy Schlichting. Their misson – to help fund one million meals for hungry children across southeast Michigan during the month of April – was significantly advanced when Mary Beth Morabito offered guests the chance to match her donation of $15,000. Rush then extended a match donation of $20,000 and Schlichting 06.16

432 S. WASHINGTON AVE, ROYAL OAK

494 TOWNSEND ST, BIRMINGHAM

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$1,150,000 – Dramatic luxury condo (Unit 1703)!

$5,000 per month – Spectacular location!

Fully customized w/European cabinets, appliances, large master suite, renovated bath, 40 ft balcony and 2 heated indoor parking spaces.

Designer interior, great room w/fireplace, gourmet kitchen, designer baths, home theater, wine closet, outdoor fireplace & 2 car garage.

$915,000 – New construction across from the park! Gourmet kitchen, walk-in pantry, spa-like master bath w/dual vanities & walk-in closet, 1st floor laundry, mud room and private backyard.

432 S. WASHINGTON AVE, ROYAL OAK

435 STONERIDGE LN, BLOOMFIELD HILLS

$1,099,000 – Exclusive 18th floor (Unit 1804)

$650,000 – Brick colonial on over an acre!

4676 AVONDALE TER, BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,599,000 – Stunning 5 acre estate with

penthouse! Sweeping sunset views, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, home automation, 2 heated indoor parking spaces, fitness center, and concierge.

Soaring ceilings, fireplace, gourmet kitchen, fossilized riverbed granite counters, wolf range, 1st floor master & laundry, and 3 car garage.

Birmingham schools! Marble foyer, chef’s kitchen, master suite w/steam shower & dual closets, 1st & 2nd fl laundry, theater, guest house & 4 car garage.

CHRISTIAN

GR OT HE

cgrothe@gmail.com | www.CHRISTIANGROTHE.com | 248.971.0080

275 S. OLD WOODWARD, DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK added another $1,000. When the dust settled, Morabito’s gift inspired $75,500 to support the Backpack Program at FIVE area schools. Thus far the Gleaners Women’s Power events and Million Meal Match campaign have raised more than $300,000.

An Evening of Art + Science

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An Evening of Art + Science In a large poster depicting Al Taubman the late philanthropist seemed to be smiling his approval on the third annual Evening of Art + Science. It brought 250 people ($350 ticket) to MOCAD to raise money for the Emerging Scholars Program at the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman medical Research Institute. Institute Director Dr. Eva Feldman and Taubman’s daughter Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman welcomed arrivals and waiters offered vapor-emitting cocktails served in actual laboratory beakers. On display were one-of-a-kind paintings, sculpture and jewelry inspired by the cutting-edge science of physician-researchers at the university. The work captured the genius of both art and science. Serious socializing and supping on the stroll (Forte Belanger cuisine) offered some competition for bidding on the art. But at evening’s end, all 19 works sold and raised “tens of thousands of dollars” for new research grants.

The fourth annual event has been set for April 20, 2017 at MOCAD.

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1. Dr. Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Bobby Taubman of Bloomfield. 2. Event co-chairs Kathy Goldberg (left) of Bloomfield and Edith Briskin of Birmingham. 3. David & Alison Demuth of Bloomfield, Alison and Richard Taubman of Beverly Hills. 4. Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman (left) of Palm Beach, FL, Sheri Mark & Abe Slaim of Bloomfield.

5. Peter & Danialle Karmanos of Orchard Lake. 6. Amy Willens (left) of Rochester Hills, Art Roffey & Gail Danto of Bloomfield. 7. Jeffrey (left) & Marsha Miro of Bloomfield, Elyse & David Foltyn of Birmingham. 8. Paige Frisch (left) of Bloomfield, Lauren Rakolta & Michael Fitzgerald of Birmingham. 9. Kathy & Tom Goldberg of Bloomfield. 10. Marc Schwartz (left) of Birmingham, Stephany & Jim Austin of Bloomfield.

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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea

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3 1. Deborah Virgiles (left) of Southfield and Teresa Saputo of Rochester. 2. Patty Kostecki (left) and Sydney McKnee of Rochester, Jen Litomisky of Pleasant Ridge. 3. Alyson Henes (left) of Royal Oak, Kay Bagnasco of Bloomfield, Krystin Saputo of Rochester. 4. Jordan Kostecki (eft) and Autumn Gabbard of Rochester. 5. Madison Walker and Latrece Allen of W. Bloomfield, Tifanny Keyes of Rochester. 6. Mary Thomas (left) of Grosse Pointe, Jessica Saputo of Rochester.

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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea The seventh annual Spring Tea chaired by McDonald owners Teresa Saputo and Deborah Virgiles to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit attracted more than 150 of all ages ($60, $25 tickets) to the Royal Park Hotel Saturday, April 23.

Before settling in for tea, guests checked out a silent auction, a raffle, balloon clown and sketch artist. A new video starring kids drove home the House mission of enabling families to be close to their sick children.

Saputo also noted that the foundation is just $500,000 short of its goal for the new Detroit house. Prizes to the oldest and youngest grandmothers in attendance went to Kay Bagnasco, 94, and Latrece Allen, 42. The enjoyable affair raised nearly $18,000, a record amount for the event. Mary Okray is chairing the next Ronald McDonald House fundraiser, the Motown Garden Party, 6 – 8 pm, Thursday June 16 at the house. For tickets ($60) call 313-745-5909.

Editorial note: Deborah Virgiles, a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, died suddenly at her Southfield home four days after the Spring Tea reported above. Her philanthropy and hands-on service at the house will be dearly missed.

Junior League Signature Event The Junior League of Birmingham put a casino spin on its fourth annual Signature Event chaired by Jamilah Wright. It drew 100 members and friends to Bloomfield Open Hunt for black jack, roulette and craps. When people weren’t gaming they could do a wine pull, bid in a silent auction and get “shot” in a photo booth. At evening’s end, guests exchanged casino chips for prize tickets. Prizes were drawn at random and included wine, spa and dining gift cards. The evening’s proceeds will support the League’s volunteer training programs that currently focus on pressing issues like childhood health, foster care reform and human trafficking.

Academy of the Sacred Heart Gala A Magical Masquerade, the second half of a two-part, 06.16

auction-focused fundraiser, attracted more than 200 school loyalists ($175 ticket) to Detroit’s Masonic Temple.

Many donned masks as per the party theme. All relished a splendid dinner and spirited live auction conducted by Texan Scott Swenson. An auction high point was the Boston Red Sox VIP experience donated by Academy parents Dave and Karie Ross Dombrowski. It sold twice for $5,500 each. The evening’s 52-card raffle, featuring numerous local restaurants, sold out and was won by current parent Kathleen Jardin. Counting the Fund-the-Mission pledging, the 2016 benefit netted an estimated $300,000 for the school which began in Detroit 165 years ago.

Manresa’s Leadership Banquet When Hugh Buchanan accepted the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House Lifetime Achievement Award, he quipped, “Which is ending – the lifetime or the achievement?”

Buchanan, the former associate director, received a standing ovation from the 200 guests ($150, $300 tickets) gathered at Oakland Hills Country Club, when he concluded his reflections by noting that “…God’s grace is everywhere but not everywhere the same…(Manresa is) where we are healed and empowered.” Development director Rita Tinetti then introduced keynote speaker Fr. Greg Boyle, whose days since 1988 spent among the gangs of Los Angeles could not be more different than life in idyllic Bloomfield Hills, where Manresa opened 90 years ago. O’Boyle’s humor-laced and heartbreaking description of the struggling youth who now work with their former enemies at his Homeboy Industries was compelling. ”There’s truth in their mangled language,” he noted, citing God as “exhausted’ rather than “exalted”. His stories of hope and compassion earned a rousing, standing ovation.

Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting When you see suave nonagenarian Ted Lindsay greeting supporters of his autism-fighting foundation at Troy’s tony Tre Monti Ristorante, it’s hard to believe that he is Terrible Ted Lindsay, the hooligan hockey legend.

Most of his 200 guests ($125 ticket) started the evening with the glass of sparking J.P. Chenet French rose wine offered upon arrival. Like all the wines, it was donated by Eagle Eye Brands. The list included Wilson & Wilson cabernet sauvignon, whose vintner grew up in Bloomfield Hills. A silent auction display and pouring stations manned by celebrities were downtownpublications.com

Junior League Signature Event

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1. Jamilah Wright (center) of Southfield, Elise Echols (left) of Birmingham and Amanda Thomas of Beverly Hills. 2. Courtney Nichol (left) of Birmingham, Anne Nechal of Sylvan Lake, Devon Cook of Bloomfield, Elizabeth Smith of Farmington Hills. 3. Jessica & Jonathan Carlson of Birmingham. 4. Natalie Deledda (left) of Bloomfield, Shiela Jones of St. Clair Shores, Caitlin Rayburn of Royal Oak. 5. Bob McNeil of Birmingham, Laura Tomlinson of Beverly Hills. 6. Rebecca Merriman (left) of Beverly Hills, Kate Montgomery of Birmingham.

Academy of the Sacred Heart Gala

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1. Ed & Kendall Doman and Michelle Jonna of Bloomfield. 2. Tommy (left) & Susie Betrus and Virginia Antakli of Bloomfield. 3. Kathy & Dan Carroll of Bloomfield, Susan Chae of Waterford. 4. Molly Lynch and Head of School Sister Bridget Bearss of Bloomfield. 5. Kaitlyn Krizanic of Birmingham with friend. 6. Mary & Gary Straffon of Bloomfield. 7. Karen & Jeff Carroll of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK magnets throughout the large dining room. Pourers included Frank Beckmann, Paul W. Smith, Joe Kocur, Mickey Redmond, Eddie Mio, Trevor Thompson and Dayna Clark.

The mild temperatures made the terrace an appealing destination for savoring the splendid buffet fare like braised tenderloin tips. In addition to autism research, the foundation has also pledged $1 million to Beaumont Hospital’s Ted Lindsay HOPE (Hands on Parent Education) Center, for which fundraising continues at the foundation’s signature event – the Celebrity Golf Outing Sept. 12 at Wabeek Country Club.

Manresa’s Leadership Banquet

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2. Karen (left) & Mike Brown of Troy and Tony & Suzanne Rea of Bloomfield. 3. Derrick & Diane Grembi of Rochester. 4. Patti (left) & Bob Koval of Troy, honoree Hugh & Mary Ellen Buchanan of Rochester Hills.

5. Gail (left) & Frank Migluazzo of Bloomfield and Frank & Janet Morelli of Rochester. 6. Chris (left) & Anna Rea of Birmingham, Michael Rea of Bloomfield. 7. Jennifer Chapman (left) of Warren, Bill & Marie Molnar of Bloomfield.

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Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting

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1. Ted Lindsay (left) of Rochester, Steve & Terri Eick of Birmingham. 2. Lew LaPaugh (left) of Rochester Hills, Michael Dore of Bloomfield. 3. Lynn Lindsay LaPaugh (left) and Jean-Jacques Fertal of Rochester Hills, Cheryl Lash of Harrison Twp. 4. Dr. Jack & Genevieve Finley of Bloomfield. 5. Joanne Lindsay (left) with Karen Beckmann and Lucy Renzi of Rochester. 6. Frank Beckmann of Rochester. 7. Lenore Gimpert of Birmingham, Dr. Michael Sherbin of Bloomfield.

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Project 1’s Whose Your Bartender Laura Beckeman, Kirsten Mumma, Stacey Kives and Terri Macksoud chaired the seventh annual Whose Your Bartender happening that attracted more than 500 people ($20-ticket) to The Bird and The Bread on April 26. The scene was, shall we say, very spirited as supporters of the bartenders’ pet nonprofits were vigorously promoting their causes while the 26 bartenders worked their assigned shifts and collected tips. At party’s end, the top tipsters were: 1st place - Kelley and Ryan LaFontaine for UCANsurvive; 2nd place - Chef Bobby Nahra for Father Solanus Legacy Fund; 3rd place - Kelley Kennedy and Jen Michaud for AIM at Melanoma; 4th place - Mark Breimeister and Kristina Millman-Rinaldi for Detroit Dog Rescue. Other bartenders and their non-profits were: Kelly Lodish and Gabe Zawaideh (Angels Place); Chris Barnett and Bryan Barnett (Blessings for Backpacks); Treger & Rob Strasberg (Humble Design); Lauren Eaton and Tracy Mohaidheen (Sky Foundation); Shelley Bleau and Katie O’Connor (Road Warriors); Leslie Read and Barb Michelini (Camp Casey); Jack Brusewitz (Grace Centers of Hope); Hong Dinh (Cooke Elementary); Monica Bisignano Zamler (Castro/Lowenstein Lab at U of M); Jen Fishman and Joy Weber (JDRF); Linda Luchi and Tom Maniaci (S.O.U.L.). The evening raised more than $44,000; $15,000 of that will go to the bartenders’ charities.

WONder Women Awards The Women Officials Network Foundation provides mentoring and training for all women interested in serving in the public policy realm. Its annual WONder Woman Awards Banquet attracted 200 ($75, $100, 06.16

$125 tickets) to the San Marino Club to honor five women who have improved the quality of life in Michigan through their civic, philanthropic and professional accomplishments.

Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli and Oakland Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts both had large fan clubs in attendance. Their introductions – Roncelli by her son Brian Gormey and Potts by her sister-in-law Barbara Yolles Ludwig – were peppered with humor, affection and personal revelations. Leon & Lulu owner Liz Curtin, whose shop hosts fund-raisers for countless nonprofits, was introduced by her daughter Keara Scannell who called her “…my inspiration.” WDIV’s Paula Tutman was introduced by her News Director Kim Voet who praised Tutman’s “…passion for the underprivileged.”

The most-in-the-spotlight awardee was Dr. Mona Hanna-Attish, whose relentless pursuit of the facts exposed the Flint water lead crisis. She vowed to “…keep doing my job,” which now includes mitigating the lead impact on “…every single Flint kid.” All honorees got standing ovations. They were joined for the traditional rose ceremony by past WONder Women in attendance.

Preservation Bloomfield Celebration Judy Kelliher, Carol Shaya and Sue Nine chaired the inaugural Preservationists of the Year event that drew 60 ($100 ticket) Preservation Bloomfield loyalists to dinner at the Iroquois Club. All knew they were there to salute John and, in memoriam, Nancy Marshall as well as CPA Al Magnus, for eight years of pro bono accounting services, and Jerry McManus, a history-loving electrician who has done countless hours of pro bono electrical work at The Barton House. In addition to Friends of PB president Cynthia von Oeyen’s presentations of Outstanding Service Awards to Magnus and McManus, highlights of the event included retired Lutheran minister / the Marshalls’ long-time pastor Rev. John Siefkin’s blessing and PB President Michael Dul’s presentation to the Marshalls, whose hands-on caretaking of the Craig Log Cabin and the historic Barton House since it was moved to the Bowers School Farm campus in 2008, has been incalculable. Proceeds from the inaugural event are earmarked for an endowment fund.

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

Project 1’s Whose Your Bartender

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1. Laura Beckemann (left) of Birmingham, Yvan Russell of Rochester Hills, Kirsten Mumma of Lake Orion. 2. Terri Macksoud (left) of Birmingham, Erica Matina of Washington. 3. Lauren Eaton (left) and Tracey Mohaidheed of Bloomfield. 4. PJ Ruokis (left) of Grosse Isle, Nikki Taylor of Bloomfield, Jerry Hall and Missy Rancilio of Birmingham. 5. Katie Noonan Mangin (left) of Birmingham, Pam Reason of Troy, Monica Bisignano Zamler of Beverly Hills. 6. Kelly Lodish and Gabe Zawaideh of Bloomfield. 7. Jessica Haddad (left) of Livonia, Cailey Sanchez of Rochester.

WONder Women Awards

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1. Mary Kerwin (left) of Troy, Jan Roncelli and Joan Young of Bloomfield. 2. Layne Sakwa (left) of Bloomfield, Wendy Potts of Birmingham, Danielle Walton of Rochester Hills. 3. Cynthia von Oeyen (left) of Bloomfield, Nina Attisha and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Deb Macon of W. Bloomfield.

4. Sue Nine (left) of Bloomfield, Mary Liz Curtin of Royal Oak.

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ENDNOTE

Managing the future of successful cities irmingham and Rochester, the two downtown cities we actively cover and write about each month, at first glance appear to be very different. Rochester, a comfortable and homey bastion of small town life, is thriving, as is Birmingham, which presents a more urbane city environment, mixing national and regional retailers and restaurants with upscale local merchants and bistros. Yet each is succeeding, whether in difficult economic climates or more prosperous times, because those leading these cities have engaged in municipal planning for the future – in essence, managing the local communities.

The sustained growth and vibrance of Rochester and Birmingham shows the importance of electing and appointing visionaries to boards, councils and commissions, and to the necessity of spending on principal shopping districts, downtown development authorities, and for prescient leaders who can aid them in the development and refinement of their cities.

It is also a testament to the uniqueness of communities, and to straying from the “cookie-cutter” approach of much municipal planning.

Over twenty years ago, city leaders in Birmingham realized that rather than stagnating and becoming another “infill” city, they would take the lead and develop a master plan to help envision the growth and direction of where and how they wanted the city grow. After numerous civic meetings, they hired noted architect and urban planner Andres Duany from Miami, one of the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism.

New Urbanism advocates for the restructuring of public policy and development practices to support neighborhoods that are diverse in use and population; communities that are designed for pedestrians, as well as transit and cars; physically defined and accessible public spaces and community institutions; and urban places framed by architecture and landscape that celebrate local history, climate, ecology and building practice.

Duany, along with other firms, created a 20year plan called the 2016 Master Plan, which prescribed creating a more walkable downtown, a city center with a redesigned Shain Park, set the stage for the city's bistro liquor license ordinance in 2007, activating alleys and passageways, and other ingredients which were a recipe for vitality.

Walkability would become the keyword for the recreation of Birmingham.

The 2016 plan, which has been largely

B

implemented, has been successful. Today, Birmingham is home to more than 600 businesses, drawing more than 5 million visitors each year, not including those that work in the downtown area. There is more than 3.5 million square feet of retail and office space, with a retail occupancy rate of about 98 percent. The Birmingham Shopping District and its leasing consultant have worked to create unique mixes of retail and to keep vacancies low.

Rochester is currently at work on a visioning process, and its Principal Shopping District (PSD) was created in 1996 as a tool to provide funding for marketing initiatives, with year around events, underwritten by funds from assessments, contributions from the city's Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which is focused on addressing capital improvements, and from sponsorships and fees.

Each city has had the foresight to adapt to changing trends, and to realize that downtowns, no differently than neighborhoods or malls, are living, breathing entities that must refashion themselves periodically to survive. Not only urban planners, but civic leaders, have Royal Oak to use as a startling lesson of what not to do – once a quirky, interesting downtown with unique boutiques, antique shops, idiosyncratic hang outs and restaurants, is now a train stop away from complete irrelevance. While there are a few destination restaurants, Royal Oak is paying the price for permitting a surfeit of nightlife establishments and bars, which begat the treadmill of more nightlife, and the quickening exodus of retail. Those that didn't head north to Birmingham or Rochester have fled south to burgeoning midtown and downtown Detroit – along with affluent twenty-somethings and their dollars.

Birmingham commissioners and board members are beginning to recognize that their city could become another Royal Oak, and have begun to wisely say enough to bistro applications in the central business district that could jeopardize the fragile balance the downtown has with retailers.

They also created certain ordinances to restrict nightclubs and bars, after dangerous situations arose with the former South and Hamilton Room nightclubs. Rochester will be wise to keep a similar balance in its downtown between retail and food and beverage establishments.

But with success come other challenges.

In Rochester, we commend city leaders for the recent proactive moves to build two new parking structures, which were

approved in 2014. Recognizing that surface parking had outgrown its capacity for accommodating businesses and shoppers, city leaders bit the bullet, providing another 555 spots, at a cost of $12 million.

In contrast, Birmingham has allowed the community to reach a crisis stage regarding parking, with 90 percent of its office space not only full, but filled with a creative class of employees in advertising, PR, social media, along with law firms. The change in the nature of the businesses occupying the office space, and the trend nation-wide of communal work areas where less space is devoted to each employee, has meant an increase of workers in the same square footage, heavily taxing the city's five municipal parking structures.

As Robin Boyle, an urban planner with Wayne State University, and a member of Birmingham's planning board tells it: "One challenge is that office and commercial businesses want to secure monthly passes for employees and they aren't able to get them. And retailers are concerned with so much on-street parking that customers can't find parking adjacent to the shops. There's still some reluctance from shoppers going to the decks, and they hunt for parking and it increases congestion on the streets."

The city of Birmingham has been talking about long-term parking expansion for over two years, with a plan to build two extra floors on the Pierce Street structure seemingly ready to go last summer. Now, with infrastructure being rebuilt street by street, and parking non-existent, that plan has been abandoned with no word to the public as to why, as the parking committees and city commission laboriously examine a long-term plan to rebuild the N. Old Woodward structure, along with retail and housing. Possibly a great plan for down the road – but where do the hundreds of cars which park at the N. Old Woodward structure each day park while that is rebuilt?

And that still does not negate the issue of what to do with both employee and visitor cars each and every day.

We are concerned that Birmingham is dragging its feet with meeting after meeting while this parking problem could seriously jeopardize everything the city has wisely and diligently created over the last 20 years.

So, yes, both communities have done a good job on the municipal planning front, but assuring a city's future requires community leaders to see the potential problems further down the road and react in a timely manner to avoid the crisis – the very basic definition of management.

Your Neighborhood Jeweler

Downtown Birmingham 248.723.7880

Downtown Rochester 248.402.0300

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Sterling Heights 586.997.0011

A Touch of Lace 4036 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 (Located at the Southwest Corner of Long Lake Road & Telegraph Road) Phone: 248-645-5223 | Fax: 248-645-5227 Email: atouchoflace@aol.com | www.atouchoflace.com Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm Evenings and Weekends available upon request