Birmingham/Bloomfield

PLACES TO EAT: 200 RESTAURANTS • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 104

MARCH 2017

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

PARAQUAT: PARKINSON’S DISEASE LINK QUESTIONED REVENGE PORN: SEXUAL ABUSE ON THE INTERNET ENDNOTE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LIQUOR LICENSES ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

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DOWNTOWN03.17

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Paraquat: Path to Parkinson’s or farmers’ panacea A highly-restricted herbicide banned in other countries, Paraquat is being used by some in the farming industry of Michigan where 26,000 gallons were sold in 20132016 amid concerns that exposure could cause Parkinson’s disease.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

18

Basic institutes of our democracy are under threat by the new administration of President Donald Trump where an altered reality is quickly being established for his support base.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

26

An Oakland County contender for Michigan Secretary of State; county commission 2018 hopeful starts walking district; personal affront at county swearing-in ceremony; Detroit Federal District Attorney wannabe; plus more.

CRIME LOCATOR

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

MUNICIPAL

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Change in Old Woodward construction start; Birmingham longrange planning; Lark and Suhm-Thing merge; theater liquor licenses; Rail District boundaries expanded; plus more.

THE COVER The Ford-Peabody Mansion at 325 S. Old Woodward, built by Frank Ford in 1878 and listed as a Michigan historical site in November of 1973. Downtown photo.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS

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

ENDNOTE

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Michigan’s law governing revenge porn leaves a lot to be desired, starting with its misdemeanor status; Why Birmingham should expand its use of the economic development liquor license.

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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar | Aileen Wingblad PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski Carol Barr 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 lections have consequences. It’s a fact of political life. But the consequences in the first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s term are proving disconcerting, and not because his administration is moving quickly to undo many of the policies implemented by former President Barack Obama. That was to be expected.

E

What we did not expect was the rapid unraveling of some of the basic institutions that are the underpinning of our democracy. I say that with full knowledge that my detractors will take the time to call and email (address listed below as always) in the coming weeks. I consider that part of our stated mission years ago – to foster debate in the community on issues, so I accept it. But I refuse the accept the dark days ahead with the new administration.

I simply cannot resist raising a flag now about the transformation that is already taking place in our country thanks to Trump and the rogue staff that surrounds him in the Oval Office. Yes, I find it alarming, and even those who supported him as our national leader should take stock of what is happening. If you doubt there is reason for concern, then consider the following.

First there were the relentless attacks on the institution of the news media, historically referred to as the Fourth Estate because of its important role of monitoring the powers that be, forcing transparency and taking a critical look at how our government functions.

The effort to minimize the role of the press began on the campaign trail and has continued with the first few weeks of the new administration. Claims of ‘fake news’ and ‘bias’ on an almost daily basis over time has allowed Trump to create an alternate reality for his base of followers, and establishing an almost Owellian Ministry of Truth situation where falsehoods and lies (yes, lies) become the new reality for followers desperate to have their votes validated over the course of the four-year term. To bolster his version of reality, he has even ordered his departments to not speak with the press (note our inability to speak with anyone from the EPA for our story on paraquat in this issue), one more attempt to control the information that gets consumed by citizens. And let’s not forget the daily press briefings where attention is now being paid to obscure, far right media outlets at the expense of the more legitimate news organizations that are not known for lobbing softball questions.

Then we have the slow drip critique of the courts, another institution whose independence must be preserved if the democracy is to remain strong. Like with the media, it began on the campaign trail when he criticized a judge as not being qualified because of his family’s heritage to hear a case involving Trump’s so-called business school. It came full circle when he wrote the courts off as they failed to support his poorly written travel ban on immigrants.

Trump then sent out one of his less-thanforthcoming minions to work the Sunday political talk shows to boldly state that the President’s judgement could not be challenged by the courts. Scary stuff.

Let’s also throw in his occasional off-hand digs at the value of Congress, the legislative branch that should stand as both a check and balance against the administration if our democratic principles are to be preserved. So hungry for power, or hoping to curry favor with the administration, GOP members of the House and Senate – with few exceptions – are giving all indications of serving simply as lapdogs. The jury is still out, but it is not very promising.

President Trump has even attempted to inject politics into the military during speaking engagements before our servicemen and servicewomen. And he has no understanding that the intelligence community is not an extension of his office but a group of professionals dutifully serving the country, regardless of what political party holds the top elected post. Witness his appointment of one of his radical right Breitbart acolyates and political advisors (Steve Bannon) to the National Security Council. A most dangerous situation for a country that was founded on the principle that these two facets of the government should stay above politics. The last thing we need is a politicized military or intelligence community – that’s how governments get overthrown.

So the alternate reality is nearly complete. Undermine the sources of information, allowing ‘alternative facts’ from the Trump administration to be foisted on the public, with a wounded press, court system and Congress, the only check and balance forces in the democracy.

What has quickly developed is a presidency that has all the makings of an authoritarian regime in which dissent is stifled and truth is what the administration spoon feeds to the public. We have seen this type of so-called leader before, both in the past here (think Nixon) and in the current world political landscape where some countries on the other side of the globe chafe under the rule of lessthan-democratic rulers.

A bleak assessment, indeed. But I still place my bets on the press and the courts and what is no doubt going to be a spirited fight to uphold the U.S. Constitution. It’s why our forefathers wrote it – to protect our democracy – almost as if they saw the day in which hucksters and populist showmen would possibly snake their way to the office of President.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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BIRMINGHAM 445 Arlington Street $2,449,000 Situated on a beautiful private 1+ acre lot on one of Birmingham’s most desirable streets, this extraordinary 5 bedroom, 4 full and 2 half bath residence provides 4,900 sq. ft. of superior living and entertaining space. Exquisite kitchen featuring custom cabinetry and premium appliances.

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FRANKLIN VILLAGE 31098 Oakleaf Lane $999,000 Welcoming bright, open colonial surrounded by natural beauty. Warm family room with tranquil fireplace and fabulous built-ins, as well as an inviting living room and dining room. Kitchen integrates the finest amenities surrounded by custom cherry cabinetry and flows to breakfast room overlooking beautiful salt water pool and patio. Master suite with oversized marble bath, steam shower and dual walk-in closets. Finished lower level with full bath, gym, au pair/in-law suite (currently used as yoga studio) and pool cabana with full bath and wet bar. Style and sophistication abound throughout this lovely home!

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Two-story foyer with bridge opens to enormous great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Gourmet kitchen. 1st floor master suite. RadiantBIRMINGHAM heated floors & heated front porch. bar, sun room & Lutron system.Westchester Finished LL with Way 2nd kitchen, 1045 | $1,599,000 th Two additional platted lots great for parking, 5 bedroom.

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INCOMING Meeting comments For 30 plus years citizen comments has been at the beginning of the meetings (Right To Comment/February).

Also, it is the president's responsibility to set the agenda, not the mayor. Our current president, with a vote of council, moved it to the middle of the meeting.

In the past few years Rochester Hills went through two major controversial issues that filled the auditorium with angry residents — water tanks and drilling for oil — and our citizen comments could go on for over an hour leaving the business community, out of town land developers, etc., having to wait for their scheduled agenda item.

You could argue the they (business community, out of town land developers, etc.) pay to be there and should go first. You could also argue residents should come first; they live in the city.

I support residents coming first.

Sitting in the auditorium listing to the business community, watching power point presentations, haggling for tax breaks, etc. is a waste of their time. So putting public comment in the middle of the meeting purposefully discourages public comment. It discourages residents coming to the meeting to make a comment because they don't have the time to wait through that portion of the agenda to make their comments.

Scot Beaton Rochester Hills (Rochester city council member 1988-1997)

Public ed propaganda I read David Hohendorf’s (From The Publisher) public education propaganda in the (February) issue of Downtown. More liberal hypocrisy.

He tries to give reasons why I should not be able to determine where my tax dollars should or should not be spent for my children's education. I totally disagree.

Let me address his pro-public education argument point by point.

He believes my tax dollars should be used to fund "legacy retirement obligations" i.e. teacher pensions. It's unfortunate that too many "teachers" are more focused on their pensions than on actually teaching our children. I'll spend my tax dollars on teaching, not teacher pensions. I have no pension. I have to save for retirement myself. I don't have the downtownpublications.com

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.

taxpayer funding my retirement.

He went to private schools to escape the increasing violence. Why shouldn't I be able to direct my tax dollars to a school where my kids will be safe. Why should I have to fund a failing school where violence and crime are an everyday occurrence. And worse yet, my kids possibly being the victim of it.

He decries that Betsy DeVos lacks experience as an educator and formal training. Did he feel the same way when a socialist, community organizer who has never even run a lemonade stand became the President of the United States? I doubt it.

Maybe, just maybe, if the failing public education system had a little competition, instead of the monopoly they so desperately want, it would focus a little more on educating our children instead of striking for higher wages and pension contributions.

I'd prefer to send my tax dollars to an organization that will spend it responsibly and not have to spend it on security cameras, guards and pensions for underachievers.

Additionally, I don't appreciate the Downtown magazine being used for the expression of Hohendorf’s political views without publishing an opposing view.

Marcy Klucznik Birmingham

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School of my choice Mr. Hohendorf (From The Publisher/February) shares the same opinion as heard by teacher unions throughout the country — “It is UnAmerican to use public tax dollars for private and parochial schools."

I would agree—your tax dollars should not be used to educate my DOWNTOWN

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child in a non-public school. But why can't my tax dollars be used, if I choose, to send my child to a school that meets all the requirements of the state? Isn't this the freedom that our constitution provides?

It really isn't fair for my tax dollars to support your child, in the school of your choice, but not my child in the school of my choice.

It's time for change.

Roy Kaiser Rochester Hills

Public education asset

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I just read David Hohendorf’s column in Downtown magazine (From The Publisher/February) about public education and I want to thank him for such a clear, impartial point of view. He literally put the words in my mouth for how I feel about this situation.

Being an outsider (Mexican family, three years in Michigan because of my husband’s job in the auto industry), it is hard to understand what is going on. In Mexico we already have that class distinction Hohendorf talks about and it is one of the saddest things to watch.

I went to private schools my whole life because public schools were not an option. They did not have enough teachers and the (attendance) level was so low because you have people walking two hours to get to school, hungry children or schools without chairs.

I understand it is a completely different context here, and that it’s not a comparable situation, but I have seen the other side. I think that public education just as it is remains one of America’s assets.

Barbara Heyser Oakland Township

Downside of charters So glad to see an article about the negatives of charters (February/Downtown).

My wife taught at Michigan School for the Arts and could only last a month. The really bad thing is the management company and the guy who runs that.

Some of the stories she would tell about working there were insane.

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

Better Life for a Better Life.

Home Care

Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column (all sources are kept strictly confidential) which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

Phone: (248) 444-3353 Fax: (248) 855-9496

MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA: Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield) may have picked a fight with the wrong person in power when she called out county board chair Mike Gingell and vice chair Mike Spiz, both Republicans, during board swearing-in ceremonies on January 11. “She seemed determined to create dissension,” said a fellow commissioner. “She wants to see more women, and younger women in the leadership, but Shelley (Goodman Taub) (RBloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham) is already a caucus chair.” Gershenson said she did vote against leadership, GERSHENSON “Because the leadership of this county should look like this county. It’s time to give a more diverse message to this community.” She contends she has gotten strong support from both sides of the aisle – and while a Democratic colleague acknowledged it’s something Gershenson had wanted to do for a while, a Republican commissioner felt “it was extremely inappropriate to make it a statement. It was borderline mean-spirited, and it was disrespectful. I don’t get any sense of a ‘good old boys’ club.’ She’s going to have more of an uphill climb getting things done.” Gershenson acknowledges that, but says emphatically, “It was something I felt so strongly about. I am willing to put up with whatever repercussions.” Stay tuned.

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MOSS, TAKE TWO: Some people just can’t take no for an answer. Chuck Moss, former state representative for the 40th District (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills), former Oakland County Commissioner, and before that, a Birmingham City Commissioner, misses the political limelight. Or so it seems. He was term-limited out of the House in 2012, promptly announced he’d be running for the state Senate in 2014, but unfortunately, the primary didn’t work out so well for him, losing to eventual winner Marty Knollenberg. Then, in 2016, much to the chagrin of Republican MOSS Party stalwarts, who urged him to take on Democratic incumbent Jim Nash at the Water Resources Commission, sources say, he decided to take on incumbent commissioner Shelley Taub (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills), telling folks “it was time for her to go.”

Funny thing is, Shelley wasn’t ready to leave. She fought him in the primary, and won. Now, just a couple months after the general election, Moss is telling folks he’s going to take Shelley on again, this time in 2018, that “she’s old,” and he’s ready to start knocking on doors in the district.

SOS ALERT: With the 2016 election in the history books, political junkies’ eyes have turned to 2018 races, looking for their next fix. With speculation all over the place for the gubernatorial race on both sides of the political divide, the Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General races are getting scant attention. That can let a savvy politician network right into a prime spot, if they were that clever. Senate Majority Whip Mike Kowall (R-White Lake, Commerce Township, West Bloomfield, Novi) might just be that KOWALL smart guy. Word is he is networking for the secretary of state Republican spot, although not yet raising the dough he’ll need to run a statewide campaign. Kowall, who is former White Lake supervisor and former state representative, has a strong base in Oakland County, as well as the governor’s ear, which could be beneficial, because the party’s candidate is appointed by precinct delegates to run against the Democratic challenger. A huge advocate for the auto industry, notably for investments for autonomous vehicles, Kowall said there is a large contingent in the Upper Peninsula “who appreciates the things I’ve been doing.” But, can he GROT overcome Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot, who Republican insiders say may have the right wing faction on his side. As for Democrats, former Wayne State University law school dean Jocelyn Benson, who lost to current secretary of state Ruth Johnson in 2010, is floating trial balloons about another possible run.

WISHFUL THINKING: 2018 is the year that Republicans are looking to take

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back one of Michigan’s two U.S. Senate seats, with Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D) seat coming due. Stabenow, currently Michigan’s senior senator, assumed office, or should we say wrangled it out of the hands of former Senator Spencer Abraham (R) in 2000. She handily won re-election in 2006 against Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, and again in 2012, against former Rep. Pete Hoekstra. Michigan Republicans say that former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) are both “definitely looking at running.” Stabenow, however, is believed to be untouchable.

STABENOW “I don’t think anyone can take her,” said one insider. “(Sen. Gary) Peters is beatable, but she is not.” Republicans believe they need a candidate with an ego and money to run against her – qualifications both Upton and Richardville have, with Richardville’s ego already quite large, “and he was the (state) Senate majority leader, so he can raise money.” Upton is a member of the Whirlpool family, so money is not an issue.

FLOOD WARNING: Royal Oak criminal defense attorney Todd Flood, who spent 10 years in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, seems to have thought he hit career jackpot when he was appointed by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to lead a special investigation into the Flint water crisis. Word is he’s been eyeing the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan as his next post – the position Barbara McQuade has done a stellar job at rooting out public corruption, from former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to cancer doctor Farid Fata. While the U.S. SCHUETTE attorney’s position can be a political patronage appointment, Flood’s work as a special investigator has raised questions, from his impartiality due to past political donations and slap on the hands by judges to Schuette on work (which Flood contributed to) for the Flint water crisis.

Reliable word is that the U.S. attorney, to be appointed by the Trump administration, will be Matt Schneider, currently Schuette’s deputy attorney general.

NO LONGER INVISIBLE: If you’ve been watching the TV and reading the news, and are feeling absolutely Trumped, you’ll feel comfort in the news that you’re not alone. Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Resisting the Trump Agenda, has quietly spawned local chapters, including one for the 9th Congressional District, which includes Bloomfield Township, said spokesperson David Bowen, a professor at Wayne State University. “We’re a group of 15 to 20 – it varies from week to week; we’re mostly interested in taking some kind of action to oppose the Trump agenda. Many of us, like me, it’s the first time, or in a long time, we’re politically active.” There are other local groups, and because they meet either in small groups, or TROTT online, each group makes its own decisions, and teaches tactics on how to make members of Congress responsive to their constituents, another member said, such as being visible at town halls and at local congressional offices. “We’re asking members of Congress to use tactics that the minority has access to – filibuster, unanimous consent rule, adding amendments to bills – we’re learning from what the tea party did successfully, and what Republicans did for the last eight years.” A Facebook group for the 11th District is currently trolling Rep. David Trott (R-Birmingham, Troy, Novi), seeking his response and feedback from what they perceive as a nonresponsive congressman. Indivisible says their value is in allowing people to feel their voices are heard.

TSL: Republican U.S. House members David Trott (sprawling 11th District that takes in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills) and Mike Bishop (meandering 8th District which includes Rochester and Rochester Hills) make the list this month for their lockstep votes in recent weeks to rollback the Stream Buffer Rule that limited dumping the waste from coal mining operations in local streams. It’s a rule promulgated in the Obama term of office and Republicans in Congress and President Trump had vowed to eliminate it under the guise of creating more coal mining jobs. Rep. John Yarmouth (D-Kentucky) opposed the rollback BISHOP but said he would change his vote if anyone in the House would drink a sample of water he brought from a local well. No takers on this one. downtownpublications.com

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FACES Guy Gordon wo months into hosting "The Guy Gordon Show," on Detroit's News/Talk 760 WJR AM, Gordon, of Bloomfield Hills, said he is adjusting to the change of hosting a live, weekday radio show from his work as a television news anchor/reporter for the past three decades.

"It's totally different than doing a newscast. We build a newscast based on what we think people need to know. There may be stories that people aren't all that interested in," Gordon said about delivering the news of the day to television audiences. "In radio, we measure with a little different yardstick."

Taking the afternoon slot from 3 to 5 p.m., the show falls between "The Rush Limbaugh Show" and "The Mitch Albom Show."

Gordon is tasked with bridging two distinctly different audiences, engaging listeners on national issues that he distills to the local level.

"I feel some days that I'm doing two different shows," Gordon said. "We are making sure we appeal to Rush's listeners because we want to carry them over and provide something to them. Then, about 3:45 p.m., we transition into something more local. Then we are heading into Mitch, and we start doing something a little more fun."

While television reporters and anchors are typically required to suppress their opinions on air, as a talk-radio host Gordon is encouraged to share his opinions on politics and other issues.

"That's not an entirely comfortable thing for me," Gordon said. "I will tell it like it is, but you will also get both sides of an issue, and some people may be offended by it."

Considering the current division in politics, Gordon said there is very little tolerance from listeners for wiggle room on issues – either you're in complete agreement or you're wrong.

"We were talking the other day about free trade and being antitariff, and that traditionally has been a boilerplate issue for Republicans. I said something about being anti-tariff, and a lady called me a liberal," Gordon said. "That tells you something about the upside-down political environment we are in here."

Gordon started the show on January 2, after spending 12 years at WDIV Local 4 as an anchor and reporter with the station. During his three decades in Detroit, Gordon has earned eight Emmy Awards. He first arrived in Detroit in 1984, when he joined the Channel 7 action news team a week after the Detroit Tigers won the World Series, and just before the most destructive Devil's Night in the city's history. In 1985, he purchased a home in Bloomfield.

"I enjoy driving home along tree-lined boulevards," he said abut living in the area. "You still feel like you're in a little piece of heaven when you come home."

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Gordon attended Central Michigan University and took up geology with the notion that he would find a career in the oil industry.

"The sciences proved to be no friend of mine," he said, explaining the eventual move into broadcast studies, where his department chair pushed him to pursue a career as an anchor or reporter.

Today, Gordon is focused on his new career, and how he can keep listeners interested in the discussions of the day.

"I don't look much farther than the day I'm working on," he said.

"I'm not looking for the 'big get,' or the guest who will generate heat, but the one who will generate light on what we are talking about today."

T

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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REVENGE

PORN COMBATTING RISE OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON THE INTERNET

BY LISA BRODY

L

indsay (not her real name) is a beautiful Oakland County twenty-something, working to make it in the modeling world. A 2014 photo shoot between herself and an aspiring photographer, where she had several nude photographs taken, were destined to remain private. While a few photos were posted of her au natural, the photographer and herself were the only two people on the planet whose eyes were destined to see the most risquĂŠ pictures.

So she had hoped and thought.

Sometime later in 2014, she learned an anonymous email account in her name was created. Impersonating Lindsay, someone sent an email to the photographer informing him she had lost the photos, and asking him to email them to her for her modeling portfolio.

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Soon, the private photos began appearing online on revenge porn websites. Revenge porn websites are where sexually explicit images or videos made usually by an individual or a partner in an intimate relationship are used by the partner to blackmail, humiliate, intimidate or exploit the individual for breaking up with them, or to control them.

They are posted on a website, often with sufficient information to identify the individual, with names, home addresses, workplaces, and links to social media profiles. The images can expose victims of revenge porn to workplace discrimination, cyberstalking, or even physical attacks. It is also termed cyber rape, and is considered a form of sexual abuse.

Victims are harassed, traumatized, and threatened. Some victims have been so tormented they have had to change their names.

“It's adult cyberbullying,” asserted Jody Westby, CEO of Global Cyber Risk LLC in Washington DC. “We think of cyberbullying for kids, but it's not just to children. Revenge porn is another form. It really is bullying against another human being as an adult. The best way to frame it is as cyber revenge and cyberbullying.”

A

mna Osman, president and CEO of Haven, an Oakland County non-profit organization for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, said they are increasingly seeing victims of revenge porn coming to Haven for counseling help and assistance to combat the existence of the involuntary pornography on the websites, including mainstream social media sites.

“We have seen clients who have willingly shared intimate photos and videos with their partners, only to have the partner use it as a weapon after the relationship ended,” Osman said. “There are so many outlets for this abusive tactic – Facebook, Snapchat, etc., or even just showing pictures on your phone to others. It is a newer tactic of power and control, and we will probably see more survivors experiencing this as social media continues to grow and expand.”

Osman described one client, who had left a physically abusive relationship only to discover her ex-partner was sharing intimate pictures and videos on social media, and was trying to share them with her new partner.

“This fit into a pattern of power and control of her ex-partner, giving him another tactic to be abusive towards her,” explained Osman.

Initially, Lindsay had no idea who could have posted these private photos of her. She had broken up with her boyfriend so long before, she didn't immediately think of him as a suspect. According to Kyle Bristow of Bristow Law in Clinton Township, who has represented about three dozen women in revenge porn lawsuits, about 10 other attorneys told Lindsay there was no way to identify a suspect on a revenge porn website. But Bristow knew better. And he helped Lindsay get the images off the internet, and get even.

“I sued John Doe as a placeholder, then acquired discovery powers and sued the photographer,” Bristow said. From there, he sent a subpoena to Google, who gave the phony email's registration to Bristow.

“When you create a Gmail account, you have to put in a cell phone number – which I got,” Bristow said. “I used instant checkmate.com to do a reverse cell phone search, which showed who the cellphone was associated with. Google also provided us with the IP address associated with the address,” which showed it was Lindsay's exboyfriend, a resident of Macomb County.

He then sued the ex-boyfriend, receiving a default judgement and injunctive order, meaning he must destroy all content, cannot republish it, and must remove everything published from the internet, in Oakland County Circuit Court in front of Judge Martha Anderson.

Lindsay was awarded $500,000.

“She has a massive sense of relief now that the content is off the internet, and she has this judgement,” Bristow said. While she hasn't

received any money yet, he said the judgement can't be discharged in bankruptcy, it accrues interest, and she can apply for a writ of garnishment, and seize money in his bank account or his tax refunds to satisfy the judgement.

Revenge porn is a new category of cyber transgressions that the law, both criminal and civil, is working to catch up with. In 2013, only two states, California and New Jersey, had laws making revenge porn illegal; by the end of 2016, 34 states and the District of Columbia – including Michigan – had created laws criminalizing the posting of nude or sexual photos or videos posted online without an individual's consent. A federal law, called the Intimate Privacy Protection Act, spearheaded by Rep. Jackie Spear of California, was introduced in 2016, would have made it a crime to distribute nonconsensual pornography. It died in the last session of Congress.

Michigan's law, passed in April 2016 after a few legislative attempts, does not go after the websites or domaines, but after the individual who posts the incriminating and non-consensual images, on a computer or other electronic device or medium of communication such as a cell phone. It is a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than 93 days in jail and or a maximum fine of $500. A second and subsequent violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than a year and/or a maximum fine of $1,000.

The law is very specific on what constitutes revenge porn, and how someone is targeted and vilified, with several steps needing to be met before qualifying for prosecution, including that the “person is identifiable from the sexually explicit visual material or information displayed...The person obtains the sexually explicit visual material of the other person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand...was to remain private; The person knows or reasonably should know that the other person did not consent to the dissemination of the sexually explicit visual material...'Sexually explicit visual material' means a photograph or video that depicts nudity, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse.”

Yet, while everyone recognizes that it is an act that is morally wrong, as efforts grow to combat revenge porn and the efforts to post nonconsensual pornography, civil libertarians, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) question First Amendment rights of the perpetrators.

“Our main concern is that there are other laws that can be used to deal with libel and slander. We had to look at privacy and speech, issues we care deeply about,” said Shelley Weisberg, political director, ACLU of Michigan. “This kind of revenge porn is not something we would like to see, but we have to be careful of what we criminalize. We cannot be frivolous about what free speech means. On the one hand, Americans want a free internet – on the other hand, we want privacy.”

Those who deal intimately with victims of revenge porn, also known as involuntary pornography, disagree with that stance. Their viewpoint is that victims' lives are being destroyed, and perpetrators should not be protected because it is not a civil liberties issue.

W

eisberg of the ACLU said they worked with the legislature to help craft a statute that “was as constructive as possible. We did not support it; we went neutral,” she said. “We don't want to support new criminal laws unless there is a clear infringement of fundamental civil rights that cannot be addressed by existing law. (Here, there is) an unmistakably clear definition of who bears the burden of proving that a disclosure was nonconsensual.”

If the law were to only prohibit the publishing of a photo without the consent of the targeted individual, an argument could be sustained as an invasion of privacy issue, said constitutional law expert Robert Sedler of Wayne State University Law School. Arizona's revenge porn bill was struck down as unconstitutional after an ACLU lawsuit.

“If these are designed to protect a person's privacy, it should

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withstand a First Amendment challenge. If it is focused on the issue of targeted harm of an individual, it does not create a First Amendment issue,” Sedler said. “When it gets into broader language, then it creates a bit of a challenge constitutionally.”

Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), who sponsored the revenge porn legislation with Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren), had tried to pass this legislation the year before, and acknowledged he made the compromise to make it a misdemeanor in order to get it passed in the state House of Representatives.

Noting the importance of getting the revenge porn law passed, Jones said, “We had heard of many cases of boyfriends/girlfriends or married couples who broke up, and one person used it to control the other's behavior. I had also spoken to a law student whose life was basically ruined when an ex-boyfriend sent photos to all of her law professors and friends. She felt she couldn't go anywhere, and was afraid to apply for a job. We wanted to do something to get revenge porn fixed and stopped.”

Paul Walton, chief deputy prosecutor in the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, said, “We may use this law, or we may not, because revenge porn is a misdemeanor, and it's terribly shocking to the victim. By the time they get to the point to contact the police and prosecute, they come in as true victims. They're humiliated. They're devastated. Then they learn it's a misdemeanor, and their ex, who did this to them, is going to walk out the same door as they are. It's terribly disheartening.”

Walton said that while they have this new law, they are still opting to bring other charges. “We may look at stalking, for example,” he said.

“That can be a one-year misdemeanor, or a five-year felony. There are also some computer related charges that are five-year felonies. There is also posting through electronic means, which can include revenge porn, and that is a felony,” he said, which can result in two to five years in jail. He likes that, he said, “because it generally encompasses the same behavior, but it has an emotional component that is useful, and it goes further. We can use it together with the other charges, or with using a computer to commit a crime, which is a five-year felony.

While they serve concurrently, it can influence the court in sentencing.”

C

harlevoix County Prosecutor Greg Justis prosecuted a Bloomfield Hills man on a revenge porn case in 2015 against a Charlevoix County woman. The Oakland County man posted several nude photos of his former girlfriend to a revenge porn website after they broke up, and then violated a personal protection order she obtained against him in Charlevoix County. Justis said the revenge porn legislation did not exist at that time, “but clearly he did it to shame his victim, and intended to terrorize and harass.”

The biggest problem with the revenge porn statute, according to Justis, is that it is a misdemeanor. “Revenge porn is a tool of control, to shame and harass and intimidate a victim. It is not a means of entertainment like traditional pornography. The new (Michigan) statute did not use that language,” he said. However, he acknowledged it can be useful when used in conjunction with other statutes. “Legislation like this brings great awareness and advocacy along with it. This legislation was worked on by so many people, and that's an enormously important thing. Revenge porn (statute) addresses the seriousness and the depth of violence that is violated.”

The case involving the Bloomfield Hills man ultimately did not end up going to trial in 2016, as scheduled, even though he violated the PPO again and reposted more images to another revenge porn site, Justis said, because of logistical and emotional concerns for the victim, who was then a college student, “who felt shamed and victimized. We worked out a deferral agreement with the defendant in exchange for his going to a specific counselor, and he had to complete it. We had the victim agree to this.”

While most revenge porn is posted by a former partner, it can also happen by hackers, or a computer repairman who is working on a computer and releases the images, attorney Bristow said, or “even when a new girlfriend sees it and in jealousy releases it.”

The Communications Decency Act, also known as Section 230, shields websites and service providers from liability for content posted by users, providing they are not the ones that have co-created the content. If the content doesn't violate any copyright or federal criminal laws, the sites are not obligated under Section 230 to remove the content. And ironically, an estimated 80 percent of the photos and videos posted to sites are taken by the victims themselves – in the form of selfies.

R

eputable social media sites have all become very aware of Section 230, and the potential liability it implies. “Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, they're all reputable and will readily remove content within 24 hours of notifying them that involuntary pornography has been posted,” Bristow said. Further, “if you notify Google that something is involuntary pornography, they'll often immediately remove it from their search engine.”

Removal from a search engine is critical to victims, as it removes the opportunity for internet users to continue to find the revenge porn through searches.

Bristow said he encourages victims to register their photos and videos with the federal copyright office, because copyright infringement is a federal infringement, and a suit against the perpetrators can be brought in federal court. “Then, when you sue for copyright damages, it's a criminal offense, and there are statutory offenses.”

Elisa D'Amico, founder of Cyber Civil Rights Legal Projects and a litigator with K&L Gates law firm in Miami, said if someone is not suing in federal court, a selfie doesn't need to have a copyright – it's your image, and you can request removal based on a copyright violation. If someone else took the photograph, “You can request the photographer to assign copyright notice to the individual, and they will often agree – even the perpetrator will often agree, at least they will once a lawyer gets involved. For most victims, they just want the images down.”

She recommends victims have a Google alert set up by their name, which will ping when something comes up by their name or image.

“That way they can find out if their images have been copied or reposted to another website, even if they've been told it's been taken down,” noting the internet is “the gift that keeps giving.

“Pornography is supposed to be something that is enjoyable – it's not taboo anymore,” D'Amico noted. “What we're talking about isn't enjoyable. It's meant to hurt, humiliate, destroy someone else. It's also called sexual cyber harassment, sextortion, or cyber exploitation.”

Walton said that is because revenge porn “is not sexual – it's a control issue. Anytime you're trying to reach across and hurt someone physically or emotionally, it's about control. Why else would you do it?”

Many revenge porn websites are hosted outside the United States, in Somalia, Columbia, eastern Europe, or the Caribbean, and can be hard for victims to go after. Many sites permit visitors to leave comments, which tend to be sexual, crude, insulting, and vindictive, intensifying the victim's shame. A few of the sites have asked the victims for money in exchange for removing the victims – extorting them, in essence – and then failing to remove the images.

“It's a little bit of whack a mole or cat and mouse,” acknowledged D'Amico, agreeing that all the major social media and technology companies are on board with ridding themselves of the images as soon as they're notified. “If you do something dumb as a young adult, you can't get it off, but if it's something without consent, the search engines are all onboard as improper violations.”

Some men are even targeted for extortion, by women out of the

Philippines, according to experts, where they are communicating over the internet, and are asked to take off their clothes and take a photo.

The men are then extorted to send money by wire or they are told they will have the images posted where people they know can see them.

D'Amico advises them to shut off their social media and not pay their extorters, who will see it as an entree to continue their extortion efforts.

“So often these revenge porn internet sites are hosted overseas; the domaines are even hosted overseas, so they're very hard to go after,” Bristow said. “An ex-boyfriend will post something onto one of these websites, and also post the victim's name, address, employer's information, and when people are victimized in this way, they're subjected to tremendous emotional torment. They can lose their job, have their career derailed because people don't want to hire them because of what's on the internet. There are safety issues because people will go after them; relationships are lost. Viewers will forward the photos to a victim's employers and family members. It's a form of trolling. And when you're on one revenge porn site, it's very common for other revenge porn sites to republish their image, so one becomes two, which becomes four, which becomes eight. One person contacted me who was on dozens and dozens of websites. It just manifests itself.”

While removing the images from websites and the internet is difficult, Bristow said it is not impossible “because there is always a money trail and a paper trail. It might take a while, but I can find them.”

D'Amico said there are forms to get the images down, even if they are difficult to navigate, which she and other attorneys familiar with the process can help victims with. “We're taking down the bridge, so we're taking down the ability for people to get there.”

W

alton from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that individuals “especially in affluent Oakland County, have an identity, and an online identity, and that online identity can invade their regular identity. In a digital world, the reality is that nothing is ever gone.

These selfies you are putting out there, you can take them down, but they're there. Your online personality influences all aspects of your life.

It's not just a digital reality when you get denied a job because of that online identity.”

A key problem for those who have been victimized by revenge porn, who are primarily women in their twenties and thirties, is that they are blamed for having taken the photographs in the first place. Another is that law enforcement often does not support them, even when there are valid laws, thereby revictimizing them.

“Victims are often blamed – 'You shouldn't have taken the photos in the first place; you shouldn't have given the photographs – even if you didn't give them,” said D'Amico. “Law enforcement would enforce better if they knew more. Some law enforcement officers literally don't know anything about revenge porn laws.”

Samantha (not her real name), 23, discovered that when she went to Chesterfield Township police after her former boyfriend of three years, “who I thought was someone I knew, that I loved,” made a sex tape of the two of them after she expressly told him she didn't want to.

“We were having sex one night (in July 2016) and he decided to film me without asking me or telling me nothing – so clearly he could not have consent,” Samantha said. “We had had multiple discussions about making a sex tape, and each time I told him I wasn't comfortable and it wasn't something I wanted to do, so he was aware I wasn't OK with it.

“After he filmed it, he told me. I told him to delete it, and he wouldn't. He didn't show it to me. It was on his phone, and he showed me it existed.”

She said she was profoundly uncomfortable, and didn't know what

to do. “I was very embarrassed. A few days later we broke up. At that time, I begged him to delete the video and he said it was gone, and I didn't have to worry about it.”

B

ut in reality, Samantha did have a lot to worry about.

She just didn't know it until Thanksgiving. Now living in the Kalamazoo area, she returned to Macomb County, and decided to stop by and visit her ex, with whom she had once again become

friendly.

“I asked him if I could use his computer to play a video game,” Samantha recalled. “When I went on, I found the original video (of the sex tape), and multiple edited versions. I wasn't on his computer looking for this – I just happened on it. I confronted him about it, and I told him it was illegal because he filmed it without my consent. He said it wasn't – 'It's my video and you have no control over it.'”

She repeatedly begged him to delete the video, even trying to delete it herself from his computer, when he physically restrained her and turned off the computer.

“I thought I could reason with him. I loved him. I thought he respected me, and if I reasoned with him, he would relent and delete it,” she recalled.

Toying with her, he told her he would delete it – but not in front of her, and that he couldn't know all of the places where it was appearing.

Eventually, she attempted to make a police report in Chesterfield Township, but received no cooperation. Living in Kalamazoo County, she sought help there, and received assistance from a detective who took her under his wing – but ultimately, couldn't fully assist her.

“The detective said since I couldn't prove the video wasn't consensual, they couldn't prosecute it,” she said. She said the detective said her best bet was to call the ex-boyfriend and let him know he would be in serious trouble if the video got out.

“He sent the detective a video of himself deleting the video from his computer – it's in evidence,” Samantha said.

But then she discovered that rather than deleting the video, he had sent the sex tape of her out to friends via Facebook Messenger.

Still feeling a lack of responsiveness from law enforcement, she finally contacted Kyle Bristow, the attorney who helped Lindsay, who served her ex-boyfriend with papers on January 14, 2017.

“He immediately texted me, 'I'd like to talk.' I told him any communication has to go through my attorney. He's manipulative and I can't trust him,” Samantha said.

Samantha and Bristow are seeking a minimum of $25,000 in damages and an injunctive relief, where the ex-boyfriend will have to destroy the video, all copies, and never distribute any images of it again, or go to jail.

“I want a clear message sent to him, his friends, anyone, I'm not messing around,” Samantha said. While monetary damages would be helpful – “It's embarrassing to ask family members for money to pay for an attorney for a sex tape” – what she most wants is for the sex tape, and any and all copies and images to be completely gone.

“I want it to be over. I'm a recent college graduate; I have student loans, and I don't want this to affect my career. I've had mental health issues from this, panic attacks – it all adds up,” Samantha disclosed.

“He was my first serious relationship.”

Clearly, the optimum way to combat revenge porn is to never take a nude photograph, or have one taken. But that is not reality for many people. D'Amico said a more effective outcome begins with education, to continue to teach kids how quickly information can be spread.

“You can't tell them not to take these photos. The ones at fault aren't the ones who created the photographs, but the ones who share them or distribute them without permission,” she emphasized. “You have to stop blaming the victim, and focus on who the bad actors are.”

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FACES

Lynn Crawford oted author and art critic Lynn Crawford began her career as a social worker in New York before discovering her flair for writing.

“While I was in New York I met some writers and artists. I fell in with the art crowd and they saw my potential,” Crawford said.

She gathered her breadth of experiences in the art community and interacted with fascinating people in New York. She began developing compelling characters in an imaginative world of fiction.

Crawford sent her manuscript for Solow, to the renowned, Michigan-born writer and poet, Jim Harrison. Harrison, best known for penning the epic saga Legend of the Falls, inspired Crawford with an encouraging response of approval.

“Haven’t wanted to read anything lately, certainly not any of the 500 manuscripts and galleys I get a year,” Harrison wrote.

“However, I found Solow fascinating. It reminds me of early John Hawkes which is still for me the best Hawkes. The whole dreamscape was especially vivid.”

Solow became Crawford’s first published book in 1995.

Crawford and her family later moved from New York to Michigan and settled in Birmingham nearly 20 years ago.

Seamlessly merging her artistic insight and ingenuity for writing, she began working as an art critic. She has written pieces for art publications such as Modern Painters, Art in America, The Brooklyn Rail and Parkett.

“One of my friends was an editor for ‘Art in America’ and I was asked to write,” Crawford said. “I have a duel career. It’s an interesting balance.”

As a novelist, Crawford has published Blow, Simply Separate People, Fortification Resort, Simply Separate People Two and Shankus and Kitto. With the exception of her latest book, Shankus and Kitto, her books are all available on Amazon.

Crawford’s devotion to Michigan compelled her to publish Shankus and Kitto with Ditto Ditto, a Detroit-based publishing house and book shop in Corktown. Currently, the novel is exclusively available at Ditto Ditto, and plans to later be sold online.

With her passion for the arts, Crawford is a founding board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). In 2010, she was awarded a Kresge Literary Arts Fellowship and in 2016, she was awarded the Rauschenberg Fellowship.

Presently, the award-winning author is writing volume two of Shankus and Kitto and her first detective novel. She has an office in Birmingham.

“It’s my little hideaway,” she said. “I do hot yoga in the morning.

I meditate and go to my office for a couple hours every day. I feel so blessed that I’m able to write and live in the Detroit area.”

As committed as she is to her thriving careers, she is most grateful for her family.

“I gave up a lot to spend a lot of time with (my kids),” she said.

“I’m so happy I made that choice.”

Crawford career is thriving and she continues to aim higher. “I would love someone to make a movie out of one of my books,” she said. “I would love to get my book in the hands of a filmmaker.”

N

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

PARA PATH TO PARKINSON'S OR

J. William Langston was working as the head of neurology in July of 1982 at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, in California, where a 42-year-old heroin addict was brought from the county jail after suddenly becoming unable to move or speak Admitted for possible catatonic schizophrenia, Langston found that the patient appeared to be cognitive but unable to control his motor skills. The symptoms, he said, resembled those typically displayed by older patients during the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. Stiff, rigid and in a frozen state, five more zombie-like addicts began arriving at San Francisco Bay Area emergency rooms.

"A group of heroin addicts in the 1980s all developed fullblown Parkinson's disease overnight," Langston said, recounting the episode that ultimately led to a scientific breakthrough in the research of Parkinson's disease and linked its risk to a number of herbicides. "It looked identical

QUAT PANACEA FOR FARMERS

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

to advanced Parkinson's. It was called 'the walking dead' on the street. Nobody had ever seen anything like it.

Eventually, we found out what was going on."

The connection, so to speak, was a clandestine chemist who had cooked a bad batch of MPPP, a painkiller similar to Demerol first created in 1947 as an alternative to morphine.

In 1976, the formula resurfaced when a 23-year-old chemistry student used the recipe to create an uncontrolled designer drug to be used as a synthetic heroin. The student, by no small coincidence, developed the same Parkinsonian symptoms as the addicts seen by Langston in 1982.

Working with law enforcement, Langston was able to find the source of the drug, analyze its chemical compound and identify an unintentional impurity called MPTP, which is created during the manufacture of MPPP when its temperature gets too high.

The revelation that a chemical shown to cause Parkinson's-like symptoms was developed as an herbicide led to dozens of subsequent studies investigating whether exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.

"They not only got high, but they became stiff and rigid," Langston said. "The drug they injected isn't toxic at all. But (MPTP) is a compound that can get in the brain, and once it gets there, it's converted to MPP+, and that's the toxin. It gets into the brain and wipes it out like a Nike missile. It's unbelievable how incredibly toxic it is."

Because Parkinson's disease isn't known to naturally occur in any species other than humans, researchers had no way to replicate the disease in animals prior to Langston's discovery. Within months of the finding, they were able to induce Parkinsonian symptoms in monkeys by using MPTP. In 1988, Langston founded the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, California, where he now serves as Chief Scientific Officer. The non-profit, independent institute provides basic and clinical research, clinical trials and patient care for Parkinson's disease and related neurological movement disorders.

Research developed from the discovery of MPTP allowed for a better understanding of Parkinson's disease, including ways to treat it and potential causes. Studies began focusing on pesticides when scientists discovered MPP+ was introduced by Gulf Oil Chemicals as an herbicide in the 1970s under the name Cyperquat.

"It was almost marketed in the U.S. as an herbicide," Langston said. "I'm not sure why it never made it to market."

The revelation that a chemical shown to cause Parkinson's-like symptoms was developed as an herbicide led to dozens of subsequent studies investigating whether exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. Perhaps the most studied pesticide has been paraquat dichloride, or simply "paraquat," which is one of the most widely used herbicides on earth. While not identical to cyperquat, Langston said MPP+ and paraquat are structurally similar.

"There are probably over 40 or 50 studies, from a variety of pesticides to other environmental neurotoxins, into Parkinson's that all came out of this little molecule that froze the addicts, which surged this whole thing," Langston said. "There is a huge amount of research on paraquat."

Paraquat dichloride, or paraquat, is a nonselective herbicide that controls a range of weeds, grasses and other green plants in which it comes in contact. Paraquat is used in the farming of more than 100 types of crops, including row crops, orchards, fruits and vegetables. It's also used as a desiccant, which is applied to some crops prior to harvest to kill off green material and aid in harvesting.

Outside of farming use, paraquat may be used

in right of ways, pastures or fallow land, around commercial buildings or storage yards.

"It's a very effective herbicide, and it's been out there for a long time," said Christy Sprague, a crop and soil research scientist with Michigan State University's research and extension program. "In general, it works a little differently.

It's a contact herbicide, so it works differently than glyphosate (Round Up) that moves throughout the plant. Pretty much, whatever it comes in contact with, it will control. And it will control most plant species, so the one that is being controlled has to be above the ground at the time of application. It pretty much burns the plant tissues."

Paraquat was first registered for use in the United States in 1964. Due to it's high toxicity, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1978 categorized paraquat as a "restricted use" pesticide. The designation requires those working with paraquat to attain a special certification. Likewise, the sale, transport, storage and application of paraquat is heavily regulated by the EPA, which prohibits its storage or use in residential areas, near schools, playgrounds, golf courses, parks and home gardens.

There are no paraquat products that are registered for homeowner use, and no products registered for application to residential areas.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is responsible for registering about 15,500 pesticide products in the state, which includes about 600 that are classified as "restricted use" pesticides. Of the those 600, 14 herbicides registered in Michigan contain paraquat as an active ingredient, said Brian Verhougstraete, pesticide registration program specialist with the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

"You have to be certified to buy it for use. You have to be certified before you can even buy this stuff," Verhougstraete said. "Certification isn't specific to that herbicide itself. If it's restricted use, certification is for any herbicides that are restricted."

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said about 23,600 gallons of paraquat were sold from 2013 to 2016 throughout the state. Of that amount, about 110 gallons were sold in Macomb County and five gallons were sold in Oakland County. No paraquat was sold in St. Clair, Wayne or Livingston counties during that period.

"That doesn't mean the applicator is applying it in Oakland County – it just means that's where they bought it," Verhougstraete said.

In terms of unique qualities, there are at least a few reasons that paraquat stands out from other herbicides. Its high toxicity and lack of any known antidote if swallowed has led to

paraquat becoming a known suicide agent, a dubious distinction that contributes to its heightened regulation and additives to make it harder to ingest. Yet, because paraquat becomes mostly inactive when it makes contact with soil, its use isn't typically connected to agricultural runoff or crop contamination.

Paraquat also solidified its place in pop culture when actor Jeff Bridges improvised the term "human paraquat" in the movie "The Big Lebowski." The term is a reference to paraquat's use in drug enforcement efforts to destroy marijuana crops, and implies a person is a "buzzkill," in the parlance of cannabis culture.

From 1975 to 1978, the United States did indeed work indirectly with the government of Mexico by funding an aerial spraying program to destroy marijuana fields with paraquat in the Sierra Madre. The United States contributed about $30 million per year to that program and its companion that utilized another herbicide to eradicate poppy plants used in the production of heroin.

Because the action of paraquat is largely dependent upon sunlight, Mexican farmers at the time were able to salvage the treated marijuana by quickly harvesting the plants and wrapping them in dark cloths before exporting them across the border. In 1978, following the discovery that marijuana entering the United States from Mexico was contaminated with paraquat, Congress ordered an investigation into whether or not the plants represented a health hazards to marijuana smokers.

Epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Services found 13 of 61 samples of marijuana from the southwestern United States to be contaminated with paraquat from the Mexican spraying program in concentrations from 3 to 2,264 parts per million.

About 3.6 percent of 910 samples of confiscated marijuana nationwide had "detectable" levels of paraquat.

The CDC estimated about .2 percent of paraquat found on contaminated marijuana remains unchanged when smoked and is retained in the lungs. It was estimated about 31.3 percent of all marijuana smokers in the United States would inhale less than 100 micrograms of paraquat in one year, with .1 percent inhaling 100 micrograms or more.

In 1985, the government issued an impact statement on the effects of paraquat on marijuana smokers, stating "there is a slight risk that heavy smokers of marijuana could be affected by paraquat-sprayed marijuana.�

Whether marijuana smokers exposed to paraquat suffered immediate health impacts is unknown; attempts by epidemiologists to assess them at the time didn't produce any conclusive results. Likewise, there's no existing

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evidence the spraying program resulted in any additional risk for Parkinson's disease.

"Parkinson's is a disease of aging that progresses over time,� said Samuel Goldman, principal investigator of neurology at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

"Whatever process was initiated in the late 1970s, it would only now be coming to fruition.

If there were effects, we would start to feel them now."

Yet, paraquat isn't the only pesticide that has been named in scientific studies to be a potential environmental factor in the onset of Parkinson's disease. In fact, a 1986 study spurred by Langston's development with MPTP just a few years prior studied Parkinson's patients whose symptoms began at age 40 or earlier, then looked into those patients' childhood environments. The study, conducted by neurologists at the University of Saskatchewan, in Canada, focused on 21 patients. Of the 21, all but two had spent the first 15 years of their life in rural Saskatchewan.

Further, all but one of the patients exclusively drank well water for those first 15 years. The researchers concluded that rural environments in the province contributed to early onset of Parkinson's disease, and that well water contamination from pesticides may have contributed to that onset.

While the study didn't offer definitive evidence of a specific pesticide with a causal factor to Parkinson's disease, it served as one of the early epidemiological studies that looked at the incidence and distribution of Parkinson's with other factors based on Langston and other's findings with MPTP. Later epidemiological studies on the subject included better data on specific herbicides and more accurate exposure incidents.

More recent studies, including one by Goldman that was published in 2012, have focused on the association of paraquat and Parkinson's disease in context with genetic factors. It is the combination of both genetic and environmental factors that is believed to be the cause of Parkinson's disease, rather than any specific influence.

"It hasn't been easy to find the causes. If it were just one thing, it would be easy. We would have found it," Langston said. "It's probably a combination of genetic risk factors and environmental factors."

Working with Langston and other researchers, Goldman's 2012 study, "Genetic Modification of the Association of Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease," investigated Parkinson's disease risk associated with paraquat use in individuals with certain genetic influencers known to be associated with higher rates of Parkinson's disease.

Goldman said researchers already know that

people with Parkinson's disease have lower levels of glutathione S-transferase T1, an enzyme that acts as an antioxidant by removing free radicals from the body. Some studies with lab rodents have shown that paraquat produces Parkinson's symptoms through the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. Goldman said nearly 20 percent of people have a genetic variation that inhibits the production of glutahione.

"We think this is the model for what is going on with most Parkinson's," Goldman said. "There are a lot of these environmental factors out there, and in many people they don't result in disease. But, if you're one of the people with this genetic predisposition, it does. In this case, it is a genetic variation that is very common. A 20 percent variation is high; most genetic variations are about 5 percent."

Researchers genotyped individuals who had participated in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), which is a high quality epidemiology study evaluating the link between pesticide use and various health concerns, including cancer.

The AHS includes more than 89,000 pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina, who have participated in the study since 1993.

The Goldman study examined those applicators exposed to paraquat in relation to whether or not they had the genetic mutation affecting glutathione. They found those applicators exposed to paraquat unable to produce the enzyme were 11 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than those who aren't exposed to paraquat and are able to produce the enzyme.

"It's the largest risk association ever recorded for Parkinson's disease," Goldman said of the correlation. "Clearly, based on this – although in epidemiology we like to see replications to make sure it's not random – it's pretty compelling based on the magnitude and biological plausibility. It makes sense scientifically that it would be a combined effect."

Outside of being associated with Parkinson's disease, paraquat is highly toxic. The herbicide works by disrupting the photosynthesis process when it comes into contact with green plants.

Much of the toxicity of paraquat is lost when the active ingredient hits the soil and binds to clay particles. Those factors suit themselves to some specific situations, such as treating weeds between rows of crops, as well as a herbicide that can be used in no-till farming to knock down weeds prior to planting without having to disturb the soil. Further, paraquat is commonly used to treat weeds that have become resistant to other herbicides, such as glyphosate, known commercially as Round Up, which is a more widely-used herbicide.

Paraquat's toxicity and lack of antidote when ingested; it's track record for what the EPA has deemed high risk for harm from exposure; and the possible link as an environmental factor in the development of Parkinson's disease, have resulted in the herbicide being banned from use in at least 32 countries, including China and those in the European Union. Switzerland, where the largest producer of paraquat, Syngenta, is located, has also banned its use.

In 2015, Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency issued a Special Review Decision on paraquat, making it a "restricted class" pesticide in that country, based on ingestion and occupational exposure incidents that have posed a risk to human health. Further, the country imposed limits on paraquat's active ingredient concentration levels, as well as other safety measures.

The use of paraquat in the European Union was initially authorized in December of 2003 by the Commission of the European Communities.

At the time, the herbicide had been banned in 13 countries within the EU, including Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Finland. In February of 2004, Sweden, supported by Denmark, Austria and Finland, took legal action against the commission to annul the decision.

In its claim against the commission, Sweden alleged the commission failed to protect the environment and human and animal health, as well as procedural shortcomings.

The European Court of First Instance, which in July of 2007 overturned the commission's decision in favor of Sweden's request, found a number of producers of paraquat led by Zeneca, never addressed existing studies on the link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease, nor did the commission's report include any assessment of such literature. The court also found the commission failed to satisfy procedural requirements and disregarded procedural provisions in its assessment report of paraquat's potential risks by stating there are no indications of neurotoxicity associated with paraquat, as well as the commission's omission of a French study on paraquat operators' exposure levels.

The court also found at least one instance where an operator's exposure to paraquat was above the acceptable exposure levels despite prescribed use, and that it ignored another study's safety recommendations. Further, the court found the commission failed to properly assess paraquat's risk to animal health.

In the United States, the EPA recently increased restrictions on paraquat in an attempt to mitigate human health risks.

In December of 2016, the EPA issued an "Interim Mitigation Decision" on paraquat that phases in a series of additional restrictions intended to prevent accidental ingestions and

More recent studies have focused on the association of paraquat and Parkinson's disease in context with genetic factors. It is the combination of both genetic and environmental factors that is believed to be the cause of Parkinson's disease.

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The EPA also is undertaking a Health Risk Assessment, scheduled to be released in late 2017. The assessment will include a review of studies that purport a link between the herbicide and Parkinson's disease, as well as other health risks. reduce exposure to workers who mix, load and apply the herbicide.

Specific changes announced by the EPA in December include: label changes emphasizing paraquat's toxicity and supplemental warning materials; targeted training materials for paraquat users; closed system packaging for all non-bulk (less than 120 gallon) end use product containers of paraquat; and restricting the use of all paraquat products to certified applicators only, thus prohibiting use by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

Closed-system packaging requires the herbicide application equipment used to connect to the container and transfer the product through a series of hoses, pipes and couplings so that the closed system is the only feasible way to remove paraquat from the container without destroying the container.

Packaging can't contain any screw caps that can be removed or allow paraquat to be poured from the container.

The new restrictions and requirements will be phased in, beginning in March of 2017 through September 30, 2020, which is the last day for the sale of paraquat products that don't comply with new labeling and closed system requirements.

The EPA also is undertaking a Health Risk Assessment for paraquat, which is scheduled to be released in late 2017. That assessment will include a review of studies that purport a link between the herbicide and Parkinson's disease, as well as other health risks.

The EPA stated in its proposed interim decision released in March of 2016 that "there is a large body of epidemiology data on paraquat dichloride use and Parkinson's disease," and that "animal studies and other epidemiological evaluations have suggested that paraquat (and also the pesticide rotenone) may be causative agents (or contributors) in the etiology of Parkinson's disease.

Still the agency said in documentation that the interim restrictions were based only on acute exposure to paraquat dichloride.

"However, as part of the comprehensive human health risk assessment scheduled for 2017, chronic effects will be reviewed," the agency said it its decision. The risk assessment may recommend additional mitigation measures prior to the completion of the registration review, and may be incorporated into the final registration review's decision.

In addition to the recent mitigation decision, paraquat is undergoing the EPA's Registration Review process, in which the agency reevaluates the herbicide to determine whether it continues to meet the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) standards to protect applicators, consumers and

the environment. All pesticides registered under the federal act must undergo the re-evaluation process on a 15-year cycle.

An initial draft and recommendations of the registration review is expected to be issued in late 2017, with a final version due in 2018.

Medical professionals Downtown Publications spoke with who have studied paraquat and the potential increased risk for Parkinson's disease say they believe the EPA should join some of the other countries that have banned the herbicide and deny its reregistration.

"I think it is totally appropriate to take it off the market," Langston said.

Goldman also said he believes paraquat use should be halted.

"To me, it's crazy that this stuff is on the market," Goldman said of paraquat. "If you give it to a rat, if you give it to them once, nothing happens. If you give it to them twice, spaced apart in low doses, they develop something that looks exactly like Parkinson's disease."

While the EPA has worked to increase protections for those handling and using paraquat, Goldman said those measures don't appear to be adequate. In looking at the rates of Parkinson's disease among applicators in the Agricultural Health Study, he said it's apparent farmers are at an increased risk.

"Presumably, because they were the professionals, they were using the appropriate protective measures, like gloves and respirators, but nonetheless, they absorbed this," Goldman said.

The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) of North America, a non-profit organization with five regional centers worldwide and more than 125,000 members nationally, has asked the EPA to impose a ban on paraquat.

"Pesticide Action Network is encouraged by the EPA's proposed interim mitigation measures for paraquat dichloride, but finds that while these may be useful in the short-term, the only way to effectively end poisonings and human health impacts from paraquat exposure in the US is to ban all uses of paraquat dichloride," the organization said in a statement to the EPA in May. Additional short-term mitigation measures that PAN recommended was a request for the EPA to lower the concentration of paraquat in its formulation, such as a measure that Japan took in 1986 when it lowered the solution from a 24-percent solution to about 5 percent. Solutions in the United States are about 30 percent paraquat dichloride.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers, which represents 56 regional poison control centers in the country also requested the EPA require a reformulation of paraquat to a 5 percent solution.

"The best way to treat an illness, including poisoning, is to prevent it," the association's president, Marsha Ford, said in its statement to the EPA. "In exposures to toxicants, what often determines illness from non-illness and death from non-death is the dose."

But not all scientists agree. Many in the agricultural fields say paraquat's effectiveness and relatively inexpensive costs make it hugely beneficial to domestic farmers, as well as thirdword countries that have struggled with food production.

Michigan State University's Sprague said she doesn't feel it's necessary to ban paraquat's use, as there are already protective measures in place.

"Personally, I don't think it needs to be banned," Sprague said. "I think there's been very responsible use of that herbicide. I don't see it going away."

Domestically, the EPA estimates an average of four million pounds of paraquat were applied annually to over seven million acres between 2011 and 2013.

Bernard Zandstra, a research and extension professor at Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture, said paraquat in Michigan is widely used for tree crops, such as apples, as well as specialty crops.

"Its use has been pretty constant," Zandstra said. "When it first came out in the 1960s, it was the only contact desiccant type herbicide people had. Until that time, they were using things like 2,4-D for that, but that drifts and has a lot of problems. Then glyphosate came out in the 1970s, and in many cases it's used in it's place for a couple reasons. It's not nearly as toxic.

Paraquat has human toxicity problems. With that said, there's a fair amount of use because little resistance has developed to it."

Zandstra said the most recent discussions about paraquat at the EPA level have focused on the dangers associated with the ingestion of the herbicide. He said he wasn't familiar with much research connecting paraquat to increased risk for Parkinsons disease.

"I'm aware that it's widely used in third world countries in Africa and Asia because it's widely inexpensive," he said. "The poisonous part to humans is what the discussion is about at the EPA. It's still widely used. I've talked to a number of growers since the discussion came up in the past couple of months, and there is a lot of concern."

Syngenta, the largest manufacturer of paraquat, thus far has taken the view that paraquat doesn't cause Parkinson's disease, stating that there is an absence of evidence that paraquat is causally related with the disease in humans. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment for this story, instead referring to official statements made to the EPA.

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"Syngenta is undertaking a major research program in the animal model to investigate the alleged link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease. The research has been or will be published and the results communicated to relevant regulatory agencies," the company said in its statement. "The key finding is that paraquat, even at the maximum tolerated dose, does not cause dopaminergic neuronal cell loss in the SNpc, the area of the brain associated with Parkinson's disease, as claimed in certain external publications."

The company further stated that many epidemiology studies investigating the alleged association "are characterized by weakness in their study design, particularly the assessment of past exposure, and provide an inconsistent picture."

The Michigan Farm Bureau has stated that paraquat is an important herbicide for farmers in the state. While the EPA in March of 2016 said it was proposing prohibiting the use of backpack sprayers for the application of paraquat, the agency reversed the proposal to allow continued use. The Farm Bureau and others strongly opposed the proposed measure.

"Paraquat dichloride is a restricted use herbicide that our state's growers depend on for weed control. Many of our grower members tell us that they utilize this herbicide in site specific areas, often applying with small batch mixes for handheld or backpack sprayers. In EPA's recommendations, they would like to prohibit this type of application. This would be devastating for our state's growers, and we urge the EPA to reconsider, and re-register the use of paraquat dichloride, by following the strict label requirements."

Across the state, Michigan has more than 36,000 acres of cherries, 36,500 acres of apples, 21,000 acres of blueberries, 48,000 acres of potatoes, 112,000 acres of specialty crops, and a large amount of alfalfa, corn, dry beans and soybeans, with row crops accounting for more than 4.7 million acres of agricultural production in Michigan.

Beth Nelson, president of the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, said paraquat's use in alfalfa is important as both an herbicide and a desiccant.

"Paraquat dichloride is used both as a winter annual weed management treatment and as a harvest aide in alfalfa grown for seed throughout the United States," Nelson said. “Depending on the region in which it is grown and the variety, most alfalfa goes dormant during the winter months, and paraquat can be applied during the dormant stage to control emerged winter and annual weeds without injuring the crop... few weed species have developed resistance to it, and it is an excellent desiccant harvest aide... There are no

alternative herbicides currently available that can function similarly in all of these rolls."

Chip Bowling, president of the National Corn Growers Association, said paraquat is one of the herbicides that makes it possible for no-tillage farming, which reduces soil erosion and water runoff from crop fields.

"The use of herbicides, including paraquat, has made the revolutionary practice of conservation tillage possible. To remove grower access to these important tools threatens to undermine the water quality progress, progress and reductions in pesticide runoff that have been achieved through the incorporation of such practices."

Richard Wilkins, president of the American Soybean Association, said about 173 million acres, or about 62 percent of all tillable acres in the United States, practice no-tillage farming.

"The non-selective herbicides, including paraquat, used in conservation-tillage scenarios save precious topsoil every year in the United States,� he said.

In considering the benefits and drawbacks of pesticides, it's not abnormal for the agriculture and medical communities to not come to the same conclusions. Further, those hoping for stronger restrictions or an all-out ban on paraquat know they are facing an uphill challenge as President Donald Trump has vowed to take down regulations that may hamper business.

As Trump works to get his cabinet appointments approved, the EPA, both on a regional and national level, is adhering to the administration's blackout order on the media.

Multiple calls and emails to the EPA's national and regional spokespeople requesting comment for this story were not returned. Out-of-office email responses and voicemail messages suggest journalists email all questions to press@epa.gov. No responses to emails to that address were made.

"We have seen this in other areas as well," said Carrolee Barlow, CEO of the Parkinson's Institute.

"We have work done by high-quality technicians where we can show how compounds are causing connections, and the industry is able to squelch data to keep things on the market.

"The pesticide industry is one that really needs to be regulated. We know how these compounds kill areas of the brain... if that information is regularly denied or squashed, that is really where the problem starts."

Organizations and lobbyists representing farmers and the pesticide industry say they will be working with the Trump administration to pull back on regulations pushed by the previous president that they see as too restrictive.

CropLife America, a Washington D.C.-based trade organization representing the pesticide industry, said one of its main objectives under

the new administration will be to seek a reset of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodentcide Act (FIFRA), which is the federal law that guides pesticide regulations that are intended to protect applicators, consumes and the environment. Under the act, the EPA is responsible for enforcement of pesticide regulations. However, many in the industry accuse the EPA of shifting enforcement policies from those based on science to those based on public perception.

"We believe there was a policy shift in regard to pesticide regulation over the past few years.

The goal is to reset pesticide regulations back within the four corners, or boundaries, of FIFRA. That includes re-establishing sound science, stakeholder engagement, transparency and due process," Beau Greenwood, executive vice president of governmental relations and public affairs for CropLife America, said. "Whether we are reaching out to new members of the Trump administration as those positions are filled, or working with congressional Democrats and Republicans alike, we believe that policy shift isn't going to course correct itself. Our number one goal is to correct that shift."

Greenwood said the EPA has imposed several restrictions on pesticides without a need being necessary or proven, many of which he said appear to be based on politics rather than sound science. Likewise, he said members desire improved stakeholder engagement on decisions, including input from other government agencies.

For instance, Greenwood pointed to the EPA's recent decision to place additional restrictions on paraquat when the United States Department of Agriculture offered suggestions during the EPA's comment period, rather than being ensured a seat at the table.

"We are also looking for sufficient funding levels for the EPA," Greenwood said. "The trend has been to spend less. It's critical to have a regulator that is sufficiently funded, and we will be working to make our case. They are the licensing agent, and it's in our interest to have them fully staffed."

Syngenta, which is the largest manufacturer of paraquat, is among the companies represented by CropLife America. Others include major pesticide manufacturers, such as Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, and others. Another goal of the association is the reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act, which sets out the registration service fee system.

"It's still early. We would love to have people confirmed at the EPA and USDA, but those confirmations haven't occurred, yet. We are looking for those opportunities once they are confirmed," Greenwood said. "There was a growing list of agency actions we thought went beyond the four corners of FIFRA, and that is what we are trying to correct."

Syngenta, the largest manufacturer of paraquat, thus far has taken the view that paraquat doesn't cause Parkinson's disease, stating that there is an absence of evidence that paraquat is causally related with the disease in humans.

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DOWNTOWN

03.17

MUNICIPAL Boundaries for Rail District expanded

Delayed Old Woodward road project

By Lisa Brody

By Lisa Brody

An effort to clarify the boundaries of the city's Rail District to include the upcoming Whole Foods Market was unanimously approved by the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, February 13, but an effort to amend an ordinance to allow the use of an economic development liquor license at the site was shot down.

Birmingham has long referred to a generalized area in Birmingham's easternmost area, along Eton Road, south of Maple and north of Lincoln, along the railroad tracks, as the Rail District. By zoning, it has been classified as the MX District, or mixed zoning, with industrial, commercial businesses, medical, residential, restaurants and a brewery. “There’s a common perception that there's a Rail District, but we haven't codified the boundaries,” said Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker.

The city has permitted bistros in the MX District, which covers about 90 percent of the Rail District, but not the area of the new Whole Foods, being constructed at 2100 E. Maple Road, which submitted a preliminary plan to the commission for a 2017 bistro license in October. The Whole Foods plan was approved to move forward to the planning board, along with two other bistros, Adachi, an Asian bistro in the Peabody mansion, at 325 S. Old Woodward at the corner of Brown Street; and Lincoln Yard, an allAmerican restaurant located in 2159 E. Lincoln, also in the Rail District, in the Birmingham Schools' former bus garage.

All three will be heard at the next commission meeting on February 27.

Commissioners were supportive of moving the red line of the MX District to include Whole Foods, to permit it as part of the bistro perimeter.

“In my opinion, the easiest thing is to draw the red line and Whole Foods falls into it,” commissioner Rackeline Hoff said.

“I agree. Whole Foods is next to the railroad, so people can walk there. It's a no-brainer,” said commissioner Carroll DeWeese.

However, they were less supportive of allowing the property to be rezoned to permit the use of an economic development license with an approved special land use permit. An economic development license is a limited-use liquor license Birmingham created for downtownpublications.com

hile Birmingham had anticipated beginning its major infrastructure improvements for Old Woodward in the downtown area starting in early March, the reconstruction of the roadway is now scheduled to begin in May, continuing through September, according to city engineer Paul O'Meara.

The focus on the 2017 road construction season will be concentrated on the center of downtown Birmingham, with Old Woodward from Willits to Brown scheduled for a complete reconstruction, from replacing and redesigning the roadway itself, to the underground sewer and water mains, sidewalks, cross walks, lighting, and streetscape. This main artery in downtown will be completely shut down from May through September, with valet parking an option for visitors on Maple and N. Old Woodward.

Beginning in 2013, the city of Birmingham began to address the aging infrastructure in the core of the central business district – also known as the downtown area – with portions of Pierce Street from Maple to Merrill and Merrill Street from Pierce to Old Woodward undergoing a complete rebuilding. In 2016, Hamilton Avenue was reconstructed from Old Woodward to Woodward Avenue. These projects included new water lines, sewer lines and the repaving of roads.

The reason these roads are being completely reconstructed is that these areas have some of the oldest water and sewer lines in Birmingham, as well as a streetscape that is on a different grade than the road. Much of this current infrastructure was installed in the 1940s and has exceeded its useful life – with some sewers dating to the 1890s.

Maple Road from Southfield to Woodward is scheduled for the same treatment in 2019. The final leg of the road reconstruction will take place in 2021, when S. Old Woodward from Brown to Landon is completed.

W

properties along Woodward Avenue that have increased their value by at least 500 percent, which Whole Foods' attorney Kelly Allen pointed out Whole Foods will have done.

“As for what you are looking for, I believe this really fits the economic development criteria. This is a $25 million investment; it's 250 jobs. It's not what you envisioned for bistros, those small quaint restaurants,” she said. “This is a 500 percent increase. It meets the economic development criteria on every level. My experience tells me you may give the (bistro) licenses to the traditional bistros, and they all seem like good projects. They (Whole Foods) have been at this for a year – they want to be up and running in September 2017. I think the other two are more bistro-like, and this one is a more economic development license,” of the small restaurant designed to go within the grocery store.

“If the commission does adjust its criteria for an economic development license, would Whole Foods pulls its bistro application?” mayor pro tem Andy Harris asked. Allen said they would.

Mayor Mark Nickita said the economic development licenses were intended to be generators for what was to happen, not for something that had happened.

Commissioner Stuart Sherman said, “We designated a corridor (for economic development). If we start moving the area, there are other properties that could qualify, and we'll have a hodge podge. We did it as an incentive to develop the corridor. I think we should just push the boundaries of the district, and permit bistros (in the Rail District).”

Proposed township subdivision denied A preliminary plat proposal to create five single family residential lots into a cul-de-sac subdivision from vacant property that fronts Franklin Road south of Hickory Grove Road, just north of Bloomfield Hills Schools' E.L Johnson Nature Center, was unanimously denied by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, January 23.

The land, located at 3355 Franklin

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Road, had previously been denied twice by the township, in 2002 and 2005, for lot split requests, by a previous land owner, who had requested the property be split into two and three lots. At the time, the township board denied the requests because they failed to comply with the township's lot split ordinance. In both instances, the decisions were appealed to circuit court, which found in favor of Bloomfield Township based on the lot split ordinance regulations.

Patti Voelker, township planning, ordinance and design director, explained to the board that a new owner, Terry Nosan of NVTN Acquisitions, LLC, made an application to commence with the state's platting process as prescribed by the Michigan Land Development Act in order to replat a western part of lot 6 of the property for the proposed five residential lots into a cul-de-sac, to be called Franklin Club Court subdivision, with each lot having 24,000 to 26,000 square feet.

She said that while traffic, engineering, landscape, and other consultants did not find any negative impact upon the area, and the township's design and review board forwarded the proposal to the planning board, which reviewed it in September, “The planning board denied it due to environmental and drainage concerns relative to wetlands.”

Nosan explained that the plat proposal “has not been done in the township for 20 years. This used to be the only way to subdivide land in the state.” He explained he was not requesting any rezoning, unlike a site condo development.

“Frankly, if this project required rezoning, we wouldn't have taken it on.

Neither is it a request for a lot split.

Our development by definition is low density,” he said.

He also explained that there were limitations to the powers of the township board, and that platting a subdivision is a state act. “Under the Michigan Land Development Act, there is no local approving authority.

However, Bloomfield Township has numerous ordinances that go beyond the state act.”

He noted that the plat was filed with the township clerk in March 2016, with money deposited to take care of necessary reviews, including planning and engineering; environmental, engineering, sewer and water reports came back excellent in May; and Michigan Department of 67

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Environmental Quality determination on the site stated, “the proposed development will not disturb the wetlands.

“I understand some members of the public here tonight may not be happy with an affirmative vote, but they have not given a legal reason,” Nosan continued. “No one likes change.

Everyone's property rights deserve to be respected – even mine. I urge you to respect your hardworking department heads, who determined this is a good plan.”

Many residents spoke during the public hearing, concerned about the impact to the Nature Center, and to what they believe would be smaller size of lots.

Dr. Rob Glass, superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools, countered Nosan's statement, “The township subdivision control ordinance states this board does have the authority to deny the development request. It would not be harmonious with the natural features and those who use it.”

He also said there were deed restrictions from when all of the land in the area was owned by the Devon Land Company, which donated or sold off the land in 1948. “It stated that the Franklin Road side of lot 6 can only be used for road access. Five single family lots would therefore violate the deed restrictions, and it applies to all owners of the land. Further, under replatting under the Michigan subdivision law, it cannot happen unless all inhabitants of the original deed vacate all areas before the replatting, and written notice is given to adjacent properties.

As far as I know, no action as been taken in circuit court for lot six, nor notice to all adjacent owners.”

Glass said his primary concern was for the environment at the nature

center, and the impact to the pond at the site.

Township supervisor Leo Savoie said he had an issue with the state imposing the land development act upon them, but saying the township has to approve infrastructure. “If the state has jurisdiction over it, then take jurisdiction over it. I'd rather have the courts say, 'Bloomfield Township, you have jurisdiction over it.' You let the courts work it out, you let the attorneys work it out. I'm in favor of denying it.”

Trustees agreed with Savoie, who acknowledged that Nosan may sue the township over the site, denying the preliminary plat proposal, 7-0.

Water testing reveals problems at Seaholm Recently release water tests from November 2016 for Seaholm High School in Birmingham show that there was lead in two water fountains and high lead and copper levels in another drinking faucet at the school, along with some eye wash stations, custodial sinks, and a kitchen hand sink.

Seaholm had its water facilities tested by Trace Analytical. A memo from the district to parents stated, “Out of the 393 water sources tested, there were 110 positive results, with three positive results in drinking specific fixtures. Of the other 107 positive results, 99 of them were in the science labs. These positive results also included some eye wash stations, custodial sinks and a hand sink in the kitchen.”

The three water sources generally considered as drinking sources that tested positive were a bottle filler by the main office, and a bottle filler by the cafeteria, both of which only had

Liquor licenses permitted for Birmingham theaters

By Lisa Brody

irmingham city commissioners unanimously approved amending the city's liquor license ordinance to create a new category to allow liquor licenses in theaters in downtown Birmingham at their meeting on Monday, February 13.

In a memo to city manager Joe Valentine, planning director Jana Ecker wrote that on August 31, 2016, the owner of the Birmingham Theater, located at 211 S. Old Woodward, submitted a request for a zoning ordinance amendment that would permit the issuance of a

B

high copper levels. A drinking faucet/bubbler in the E-hall had positive results for lead and copper.

“As a result of the Flint lead crisis, we test the water at all of our schools on a voluntary basis,” superintendent Dr. Dan Nerad said in January. “We do so on a strict basis. We have tested for lead for several years, and we have had results we were pleased with in the past, but the testing now is much more rigorous and complete. Because of that, in some of our schools, there were some sinks that did not meet the standards. We don't have results yet from all of our schools, and don't know those results yet. We are posting the results on our website as we get them, because it's exceedingly important that we are transparent on all testing.”

The district shut down the water sources, and is currently reviewing the results with Trace Analytical. They plan to re-test the areas that exceed applicable levels.

“We have a three-pronged approach.

First, we are turning off water to any and all water outlets where testing has shown high levels,” said Nerad. “We are communicating to our school community, to our families, right away, and we're working with experts to help us with recommendations on abatement, to guide us with what changes we need to make.”

North side of Lahser to be torn down With no viable use for a good part of the enormous former Lahser High School, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education approved asbestos abatement for the north section of the school building at their meeting on Thursday, January 19, in order to

liquor license for qualified theaters in Birmingham. The Birmingham Theater is owned

by Ted Fuller of Central Park Properties in Birmingham.

The zoning ordinance amendment would allow a new category to permit liquor licenses in theaters, Ecker told commissioners. “We put it through the process in planning, and the planning board did recommend it, as a SLUP (special land use permit) in the B4 district (central business district).”

The other theater in the central business district, Emagine Palladium, already has a Class C liquor license.

Ecker said there was discussion about potentially expanding the license to include the Village Players in the Triangle District, but the

demolish that part of the building.

“Through our extensive Master Property Planning (MPP) work, we found no viable use for the north section of the building,” Shira Good, district spokesperson, said.

The demolition of the portion of the vacant school will save the district approximately $200,000 in annual carrying costs The MPP process was conducted to determine the best use of the buildings and properties no longer being used as of September 2015, in the overall context of the district's anticipated programming needs, enrollment trends, building capacities and physical plant needs.

As part of the process, so far the district sold the 18 acres on Long Lake Road adjacent to the Wabeek development to a developer for single family homes; sold the former Hickory Grove Elementary school to a developer to become site condominiums; and has decided to demolish the former Pine Lake elementary but hold onto the land for the future.

The district sought in vain to find a user for the former high school, which had its athletic facilities and athletic fields upgraded in recent years, so the school could be used while the Andover site was rebuilt into a combined high school for the district. Some residents talked about a desire to have the school become a community rec center, but no one came forward with money to fund it. Bloomfield Hills High School opened in September 2015, and Lahser was closed.

Good said over the next few months, the district and the board will determine the best use and outcome of the south portion of the building, with the option to demolish that as well remaining as a possibility.

planning board determined that in the absence of a formal request by the Village Players for a theater liquor license, they were not inclined to recommend amendments to include that property at this time.

There are a set of requirements that must be met in order for an applicant to obtain one of these liquor licenses, including they have to provide a site plan and an economic impact analysis; all documentation must be sent to the liquor control commission; full identification and history of the license holder; information of how the proposed operation will provide jobs and benefits for the city; as well as an anticipated percentage of sales from tickets, food and alcohol.

Up to two theater liquor licenses can be awarded by the city commission per year.

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MUNICIPAL Custom homes get planners’ approval A proposed planned unit development site plan for 22 custom homes on 18 acres on Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, which used to belong to the Bloomfield Hills School district, was unanimously recommended to proceed to the board of trustees by the township's planning commission, on Monday, February 6.

The property was sold by the school district in late June 2016 to to S. Lyon builder/developer Hunter Pasteur Homes for $3.5 million. The Wabeek land, as it was known, is located on Long Lake Road, just west of Franklin, and is just over 18 acres, undeveloped, and was zoned residential. The district owned the property since 1971, and determined it had no use for the property, and chose to sell it as part of the district master plan.

Patti Voelker, township director of planning, building and ordinance, said the planned unit development will be

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created as two cul-de-sacs with a common wooded open space area, made up of about two acres that will become a park for residents, with a walking trail that links to the township's safety paths. In addition, a 20-foot buffer would be created along the western and southern boundaries of the development, with evergreen and other trees, to supplement the existing trees on the property.

A landscaped 50-foot greenbelt along Long Lake Road will be compatible with existing vegetation on the roadway, Voelker said, as well as providing privacy to the development, which is to be called Baron Estates. The entrance to the development will be constructed of limestone.

Randy Wertheimer, president of Hunter Pasteur Baron Estates, presented the planned unit development site plan, which he said will include a maximum density of 1.7 dwellings per acre, with homes running about 3,800 to over 6,000 square feet each. He anticipates they will sell for $1.5 million and up,

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depending upon custom features.

Hunter Pasteur Baron Estates will build some of the homes, while there will be an opportunity for other builders as well.

Planning commission member Neal Barnett said, “It will be very pretty there. The developers spent a lot of time thinking of how to do this.”

Birmingham looks at city year ahead

By Lisa Brody

The Birmingham City Commission held its annual longrange planning meeting on Saturday, January 28, where they discussed upcoming sewer projects, alley maintenance, a citywide master plan update, opportunities for more crosswalks on Woodward, the park's master plan, system updates for the police department, and how the shopping district is planning for upcoming road construction work in the city's downtown.

The long-range planning meeting

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is an opportunity each year for the city's department heads to come before the commission and describe what they have been doing in the past year, and what they have planned for the year ahead.

Finance director Mark Gerber, along with Timothy St. Andrew from Plante & Moran, presented a fiveyear financial forecast. St. Andrew said the estimated increase in state equalized value for homes is 3.5 percent, which is expected to exceed the rate of inflation, and warned to expect Headlee rollbacks on the millage rate over the next five years.

Gerber said the city's general fund will see a dip between 2016-2018, driven by capital projects, primarily major road construction projects, on Old Woodward in 2017, Maple Road in the downtown area in 2019, and later again, on S. Old Woodward in 2021. “There will be an increase to the general fund in 2021, driven by an increase in taxable values, as we expect building to continue,” Gerber said.

City manager Joe Valentine said

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the information would help staff and the commission to allow for budgeting in future budgeting meetings.

Regarding road construction projects, city engineer Paul O'Meara said the upcoming Old Woodward road reconstruction project, between Willits and Brown streets which is now projected to begin in May, “is shaping up to be the most complex project I've ever been involved with,” noting it is the heart of downtown Birmingham, and will include a short area of Maple to Pierce Street, to correct grading issues. The majority of construction work will take place between May and September of 2017.

Other road construction projects for this year include Oak Street by Quarton School, completing the Oak Street project from last year, to include a new drop off area at the school; and Poppleton Street adjacent to the Kroger at Maple and Woodward. There will also be resurfacing of many dead end streets, along with performing

routine maintenance on other streets. In addition, $25,000 has been budgeted for minor repairs and patching to alleys, which will largely go to the Willits Alley, “which has become a safety hazard,” O'Meara said, “we're going to try to improve that.”

Another alley in disrepair, the Pierce Street Alley behind Churchill's, he said, “has not been maintained. We have talked to several business owners to have a special assessment district, and there just is no interest, so it's in a holding pattern. Staff does not feel it can initiate this, especially this year, with the Old Woodward construction.”

Mayor Mark Nickita asked, “Where do we see the alley initiative going forward, and where do we want to prioritize it? Do we want to budget for it? I'm not sure all the stakeholders are aware of the importance of them in the master plan.”

“Maybe we should devise an ordinance for the alleys, for

maintaining them,” Valentine said.

Planning director Jana Ecker said they have a via overlay plan with some ordinances, to which Nickita said the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) needs to create more awareness and enforcement.

Geoff Hockman, board chair for the BSD, explained that a strategic plan update conducted this past fall surveyed business owners, office workers and retailers, along with new and established property owners and revealed they do need to increase their communication among all of their stakeholders, as well as being the catalyst for engaging them in the city around issues such as construction activities and parking.

During the upcoming construction season, with a main artery of the downtown area under construction, the BSD has a number of measures planned to assist businesses in order to have shoppers continue to patronize the downtown during and after the project. The BSD board authorized additional expenditures to support the activities, including

merchant e-blasts, a themed advertising campaign, free valet parking, enhanced signage and lighting, and promotional activities.

Ecker said a citywide master plan update is in the budget for this year, as the last comprehensive master plan for Birmingham took place in 1980, and the 2016 Plan is almost completed. She said there is $80,000 in the budget for a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the master plan, which will then lead to request for proposals (RFPs). “We're looking for a draft of how they would review and update our existing land uses and patterns, as well as future land uses, then we would take it before the community, with a full engagement plan, workshops, charettes,” she said, noting that it would be important to include updated infrastructure needs and future needs, as well as multimodal infrastructure, shared parking, and emerging innovative technologies.

“As a planning board, this is the single most important thing we should be looking at,” said Scott

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Clein, Birmingham planning board chair. “We are finding inconsistencies and things that are not working out the way we thought they should. After 37 years, this needs to be done.”

In addition to the master plan update is a parking enhancement plan which would seek a RFQ for the N. Old Woodward/Bates Street parking and site development in order to review the requirements for both private and public property, and the city is seeking a developer to redevelop the approximately four acres of public land to include the extension of Bates from Willits to N. Old Woodward. “We're looking for recommendations for private developments and on site residential,” she said, noting she estimated it would be about a yearlong process, resulting in the development of a parking structure, provide a minimum of 1,150 parking spots, the development of infill residential, the development of an activated pedestrian-oriented urban streetscape, and provision of public

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access to the Rouge River and Booth Park.

Ecker also said the planning department this year would work with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to redevelop the Oak and Woodward intersection to create a cross walk across Woodward. “This may be one of our top priorities,” she said.

Public Services director Lauren Wood explained this year the parks and recreation master plan is scheduled to be updated and submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The master plan serves as a guide to future park planning opportunities and development needs, and allows the community to determine not only current, but also future community needs, she said. The process will begin in February, she said.

The Birmingham Police Department reported it has entered into an agreement with Oakalnd County to replace its current 911 equipment with the next generation 911 system, part of a multi-jurisdictional agreement

involving all public safety answering points in Oakland County, which the city commission approved in September 2016.

The Birmingham Fire Department reported they are proceeding with plans on the new Chesterfied Fire Station.

Two Birmingham stores to merge Lark & Company, a general store concept in downtown Birmingham, will close and re-open as a larger and expanded Suhm-Thing, with the combined store featuring Michigancentered merchandise along with the best of what Lark had carried, according to David Zawicki, owner of both stores.

Lark, located at 138 W. Maple, will close for four to five days in mid to late February, reopening as SuhmThing. Suhm-Thing, currently located across Willits Alley at 122 W. Maple Road, is a gift shop that focuses on Michigan-made and

DOWNTOWN

focused products. That store will close for the month of March, and reopen as a new store concept in April.

“Lark will be gone, and the merge of Lark and Suhm-Thing will be called Suhm-Thing,” Zawicki said.

“We want to keep it uniform with our Traverse City space,” located at 153 W. Front Street in Traverse City.

Zawicki said the newly combined store will feature “the best of Lark merchandise combined with the best of Suhm-Thing.”

The new Suhm-Thing will feature an expansion of silvertop products, cutting boards, candles, home décor, popular wood signs with sayings, accessories and jewelry, lotions, creams, natural soaps, and an increase in the Made in Michigan food lines. The popular Michigan Adirondack wood chairs will continue to be featured, along with other sought after lines of water bottles, coffee carriers, bags, organic cards and other natural products.

“I'm very excited about it, and our customers who know are, too,” Zawicki said.

79

FACES

Mandy Moran ltruist Mandy Moran grew up in the upscale city of Birmingham, but in 2010, she joined the Peace Corps and lived among villagers in the most rural, underdeveloped parts of Mongolia.

“I was an English teacher,” Moran, a Seaholm High School graduate, said. “I was the only Peace Corps volunteer and the only foreigner in a village of about 3,500.”

Moran lived in a nomadic felt tent called a “yurt” and used a “tumpen” in lieu of a shower.

“A tumpen is kind of like a plastic tub,” she said. “It’s maybe a foot or so deep and a couple feet wide. It was my dishwasher, my washing machine, my bucket and my bathtub.”

Prior to joining the Peace Corps, Moran had begun working for Habitat for Humanity. She traveled to Costa Rica, Columbia, South Africa and Armenia with the organization. The experience helped prepare her for the Peace Corps, but the primitive conditions were initially shocking.

“You’re literally in the elements sleeping outside,” she said. “It taught me to live very efficiently and work smarter, not harder. Every part of your emotional and physical being is challenged.”

The school where Moran taught was a mile from her dwelling and she would often make the trek in pitch-black, frigid conditions.

“It was very basic. We didn’t always have the greatest lighting, and the heat wasn’t always working.”

Oftentimes, students would have to share a desk with one or two other kids. None of the children spoke English. Moran learned Mongolian and managed a classroom of 40 children. Despite the countless

A

obstacles facing her classroom, she never considered her students impoverished.

“I would look at how beautifully they’d interact and share. They were very open and connected with each other,” she said. “I found that they might be missing the material items, but they have what’s important.”

Moran opted to extend her service an extra year in the Peace Corps.

She moved to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, where she lived in an apartment and worked at an international development organization.

“I helped give advice on program operations. I served as a cultural translator and I participated in sustainability projects nationwide.”

After three years of service, the Michigan State University alumnus returned home to Birmingham. She worked in advertising for a bit before acting as an apprentice at a Buddhist Zen Center and running a coffee shop and vegan bakery in Detroit.

“I’m going to be moving in a new direction,” she said. “The main thread is that I’m driven by meaningful work.”

Although she has all the amenities to live a comfortable life, she reflects fondly on her challenging experience overseas.

“I miss living in the element and quietness. I miss the deep, deep solitude. You’re really at the mercy of nature. It’s just a hospitable country and culture. You show up anywhere and they welcome you with open arms. They are such people of inspiration and motivation. I aspire to live with that kind of endurance in my own life.”

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Dan Teahan REALTOR® 248.514.6046 DTeahan@HallandHunter.com

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REALTORÂŽ

GR EA TP RIV AC

Two generations of realtors bringing experience, new technology, and most of all, results.

Michael Perrotta

SOLD IN 2016:

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 300 Chesterfield Road | $799,900 Classic Colonial located in a country setting just minutes away from Birmingham and surrounded by multimillion dollar homes. This pristine home offers gracious detailing throughout, including hardwood floors and crown molding. Extra large mud room has second kitchen for added convenience. All-year Florida room backs to the grounds of Manresa offering total privacy. Pride of ownership and constant updates.

PR ICE !

5 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | 3,481 Total Sq. Ft. | MLS# 217002078

NE W

60 Martell 55 Quarton Lane 1420 Suffield 1793 Melbourne 1400 Sandringham 1170 Park Place Court 28020 Old Colony 1015 McLean 1394 Alameda Blvd.

1151 Kensington 6887 Lahser Road 10423 Hart 10834 Nadine 10846 Vernon 4125 Robina 4139 Robina 131 S. Vermont 603 Lawson 611 Maxwell 1100 Maryland 5971 Blandford 982 N. Adams Road 27430 Harvard Road 5153 Woodlands Lane 27430 Harvard 150 E. Long Lake

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE 1313 Indian Mound Trail | $699,000 Updated home offering a possible 1st guest bedroom and full bath. Improvements in the last 7 years include master bedroom and luxurious baths. Granite chef's kitchen with premium appliances opens to 2 family rooms overlooking a private back yard. Professionally finished lower level. Newer front elevation with mahogany front door, circular driveway. Convenient 2nd floor laundry.

4-5 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | 3,500 Sq. Ft. | MLS# 217002021

For more information, visit PerrottaRealEstate.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Amy Zimmer

Tiffany Glime

Associate Broker

248.469.6430

REALTOR® 248.930.5656

azimmer@ hallandhunter.com

tglime@ hallandhunter.com

NEW LISTING

BIRMINGHAM | 1119 Southfield Road | $849,000 1119Southfield.epropertysites.com The landmark Erwin Farmhouse offers show-stopping charm! No detail was missed in the restoration of this historical 19th century farmhouse, while thoughtfully maintaining the original integrity with a modernized elegant twist. Redesign 2010 by Jeffery King Interiors. From the wraparound porch with wicker swing, to the hand-painted dining room mural reminiscent of the original home and the finished lower level retreat; this residence is truly a unique gem.

2,735 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217007071

NEW LISTING

ROCHESTER HILLS | 1668 Blushing Court | $455,000 1668BlushingCt.epropertysites.com

BIRMINGHAM | 1763 S. Bates Street | $625,000 1763SBates.epropertysites.com

Superb turn-key Arcadia Park Colonial in desirable cul-de-sac setting. Meticulously maintained to create a very efficient home. Two-story covered entry. Extensive molding & Hunter Douglas blinds throughout. 9’ ceilings. Beautiful cherry island kitchen. 1st floor Laundry. Professional landscaping includes “living privacy wall”.

Walk to town from this gorgeous renovated home with open floor plan. Twostory foyer and living room. Sophisticated remodeled kitchen. Spacious master has luxe bath with herringbone marble flooring and claw foot tub accented by a Schonbek chandelier. 2nd floor laundry. Finished lower level.

3,143 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217007920

2,678 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 216108048

For more information, visit ZimmerGlimeRealEstate.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Susan Hill REALTORÂŽ, ABR, CNE 248.225.1399 SHill@hallandhunter.com

32865 Faircrest Street | Beverly Hills Village | Priced at $549,000 Landmark 1928 West Beverly home on 1.62 acres adjacent to Rouge River and Birmingham Country Club. Designed by renowned architect Clair Ditchy, the home offers many of the original architectural details, including high ceilings, wood floors throughout (some under carpet), plaster walls, custom molding, 5 fireplaces and a walkout lower level. Whether you have an eye to renovate or recreate, this property is exceptional.

4,234 Square Feet | 6 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217006330

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Lynn Baker, REALTOR® Deby Gannes, REALTOR® 248.379.3000 LBaker@HallandHunter.com 248.379.3003 DGannes@HallandHunter.com

Dreamof SP SPRIN R G

IN A NEW HOME!

No home too large, too small, we DO sell them all!

LynnAndDeby.com Like Us on Facebook at Lynn and Deby - Hall & Hunter Realtors

BUILD SITE

ROCHESTER HILLS 1970 Oak Pointe | $899,999

PALMER WOODS 1700 Lincolnshire | $699,000

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 1450 Silverbell Road | $799,900

Over an acre in a prestigious gated community. Open One of the last parcels (10.61 acres) on the Billion Dollar A jewel in the city! One-of-a-kind 3-story mansion light-filled floor plan. Spacious 1st floor theater and mas- on close to an acre with formal/informal gardens and Mile! Enjoy stocked spring-fed pond (1.7 acres), naturally ter suite with patio access. Finished lower level. sunken pond. Located in unique, involved neighborhood. flowing artesian well, walking trails and rolling terrain.

5,583 SF | 5 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217011285 381’ X 971’ X 1258’ X 382’ | MLS# 215044449 5,685 SF | 6 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS# 217002225

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY!

FOR LEASE

ROCHESTER HILLS 1767 Piccadilly Court | $5,860/month

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2462 Selkirk Court | $568,900

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 4675 Goodison Place | $769,900

Immediate possession! Butler Ridge executive lease on cul-de-sac with private wooded lot backing to the Clinton River. Rare 1st floor guest suite. 4-car heated garage.

Wellington sub cul-de-sac location filled with updates and upgrades throughout! Meticuously maintained.

Finished LL with possible 5th bedroom. 3-car garage.

Updated & upgraded home in Goodison Place sub (close to Paint Creek) with walking trails & sidewalks. Gourmet kitchen & spacious master suite. Finished walkout LL.

5,279 SF | 5 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217008504

3,454 SF | 4 BR | 3.2 Baths | MLS# 216107847

6,717 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217005546

Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Holly Geyer REALTOR® 248.506.7345 HGeyer@HallandHunter.com

BIRMINGHAM 790 Lakeside Drive | $2,975,000

BLOOMFIELD 942 Bloomfield Knoll | $1,275,000

Masterfully crafted, custom-built residence with sweeping views of Quarton Lake, just a short stroll to downtown. Gourmet Bella Cucina kitchen, 5” plank walnut floors and luxurious finishes throughout. Master retreat features marble bath and private balcony. Amazing LL with theater room, bar, craft & wine rooms.

4 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | 4,454 Square Feet | MLS# 216093319

Highly upgraded original builder’s model with luxurious amenities and soaring ceilings throughout. Spacious 1st floor master with spa bath. Beautiful chef’s kitchen opens to deck and family room. Lower level features full kitchen, bath, fireplace, family room and game room. 4-car garage. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | 4,675 Square Feet | MLS# 217006689

ING D EN P LE SA

ED T S I TL S JU

BLOOMFIELD 2896 Meadowood Lane | $875,000

ROCHESTER HILLS 2460 Lassiter | $294,900

Chestnut Run North gem with five spacious ensuite bedrooms. Updated island granite kitchen with breakfast area opens to family room with access to large fenced yard and covered patio with private pool. Finished daylight lower level with fireplace & full bath. Oversized 3-car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | 4,543 Square Feet | MLS# 216043755

Traditional Colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac features a great floor plan with spacious rooms throughout. Large eat-in kitchen with newer stainless appliances opens to cozy family room. Convenient 1st floor study and laundry. Huge master suite with private lounging area. Numerous updates throughout this wonderful home!

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | 2,579 Square Feet | MLS# 217006645

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500 Patty Blair

Lynda Schrenk REALTOR

REALTOR®

248.760.6026

248.613.0465

lschrenk@hallandhunter.com

pblair@hallandhunter.com

®

NEW LISTING

BIRMINGHAM 366 W. Brown Street, Unit #2 | $829,000

BIRMINGHAM 1958 S. Bates Street | $294,000

Completely renovated downtown condo boasts an open floor plan filled with sophisticated urban flair. Gourmet kitchen. Espresso wood floors and recessed lighting. Master bath with Carrera marble. Finished basement with wine room. New courtyard patio. 2-car garage.

Invest in Birmingham! Prime location on 158’ deep lot with newer windows, roof, brick construction and more. Efficient updated kitchen with appliances. 2nd floor master bedroom with extra large full bath.

Finished lower level with great storage. Beautiful fenced backyard.

2,033 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217000220

1,086 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 217008191

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500 Antonela Partalis

Cheryl Riback

REALTOR

Associate Broker

586.770.5531

248.808.3112

apartalis@hallandhunter.com

criback@hallandhunter.com

ÂŽ

BIRMINGHAM 776 Ridgedale Avenue | $1,200,000

BLOOMFIELD 1485 Sodon Lake | $589,000

New construction minutes from downtown! Completed in November 2016 with eloquent use of creative designs and quality materials.

Large gourmet kitchen with white marble. Master suite with dual closets and white calacatta marble bath. Detached 2-car garage.

Updated home with mid-century flair on a magnificent lot short of an acre in Sodon Lake area. Spacious and meticulously maintained.

Fantastic master with walk-in closet, bath & sauna Jacuzzi. Granite kitchen. Finished LL. 2-car + 1-car garages. Bloomfield Hills schools.

3,000 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217004387

3,524 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 217009645

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500 Ginny Fisher

Kevin Conway

REALTOR

REALTORÂŽ

248.225.5945

248.330.3324

gfisher@hallandhunter.com

kconway@hallandhunter.com

ÂŽ

NEW PRICE

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 253 Marblehead | $849,900 or for lease at $3600/month

FRANKLIN VILLAGE 31265 Woodside | $1,999,000

Five bedroom home on peaceful park-like acre lot near Cranbrook surrounded by multimillion dollar homes. Vaulted ceilings provide an abundance of natural light. Spacious eat-in kitchen and screened-in Florida room. Rec space in finished basement. New roof. 3-car garage.

4,922 Total SF | 5 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216103407

Stunning home in a prime 2.8-acre setting in the estates section of Franklin. The open layout has premium appointments and materials throughout. Spacious master suite is a true oasis. Separate in-law suite with own entry. Expansive grounds boasts a pool and tennis courts.

5,150 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full Baths | MLS# 216117124

NEW PRICE

BIRMINGHAM 887 Wimbleton | $799,000

BIRMINGHAM 2210 Avon Lane | $737,500

Elegantly updated landmark Tudor in charming Poppleton Park offers stylish and elegant details throughout. Highlighted features include a beautiful family room addition and formal living room with marble fireplace. Spacious master suite with renovated bath. Impeccable!

Pristine home in prime Midvale neighborhood within walking distance to downtown, playgrounds, golf course & dog park. Updated HVAC systems, water heaters, roof, gutters and windows. Eat-in kitchen with island and premium appliances. Basement completely redone in 2015/16.

2,984 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216100520

2,915 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217010448

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

FURTHER REDUCTIONS! GOING OUT OF BUSINESS

SALE OFF % 20

EXTRA !

S E C I R P SALE

SUITS & SPORTCOATS (were $895 – $3995).......................NOW $358 – $1598 OUTERWEAR (were $235 – $2995).........................................NOW $94 – $1198 DRESS & CASUAL TROUSERS (were $295 – $495)...........NOW $118 – $198 DRESS & SPORTSHIRTS (were $195 – $395)......................NOW $62 – $158 SWEATERS (were $175 – $595)................................................NOW $70 – $238

Alterations Additional. All Sales Final.

742 N. OLD WOODWARD AVENUE, BIRMINGHAM • 248-645-6675 OPEN MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 10AM - 6 • SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM CARLSTERRCLOTHING.COM

FACES

Titus Smith III he founder of Generation 2 Book Club at Harlan Elementary School in Birmingham, Titus Smith III is a tenacious 11-year-old who was recently chosen to contribute for the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps.

“My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Ables, told me about Scholastic News,” Titus said. “I thought it would be really fun. I found out that kids in the past had gone to the White House and the Kid’s Choice Awards.

That seemed really interesting to me.”

Smith wrote his 400-word entry about a Detroit program called Reach Out to Youth.

“It’s teaching little kids in the Detroit area how to be doctors,” he said. “It’s run by medical students from Wayne State. I interviewed the founder of Reach Out to Youth. She’s a child psychologist.”

A month after submitting his entry, Smith received notice that he was chosen from about 300 submissions to join the esteemed press corps.

“I started jumping up and down and screaming,” he said. “(My family) was doing the same exact thing. We were all jumping up and down.”

Smith will pitch ideas on current events, sports, breaking news and entertainment to his editor throughout 2017. Stories are posted on their website, and some will be selected to be printed in the Scholastic News magazine, which is distributed to classrooms for teachers to use as a resource. For one of his first articles, Smith wanted to cover the Detroit Auto Show.

“When I grow up, I want to be an engineer. If I could interview some engineers that would be awesome.”

Smith was encouraged to read at a young age and his family stressed the value of academics.

T

“My mom loves to read and I love to read. I think I learned how to copy her,” he said. “It’s very important to my mom and (my grandparents) that I get good grades.”

One of Smith’s biggest influences is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla.

“He’s kind of my idol,” he said. “I love that he’s the CEO of technology. I love Tesla.”

Smith founded the Generation 2 Book Club to share his love of reading with his community. The book club meets monthly and they do projects based on each book. “If we pick a book about science, we do science projects.”

The budding dynamo has already laid out his educational and professional future.

“I want to go to MIT or Stanford,” he said. “I want to get a degree in electrical engineering and I want to open a technology company where they make movie technology in real life.”

In the interim, Smith enjoys spending time in downtown Birmingham.

“I love the Baldwin Public Library. Downtown Birmingham is one of my favorite areas.”

Lakeshia Dickinson, Smith’s mother, is intent on guiding him to achieve his ambitious objections. “He’s very outgoing, driven, personable and innovative,” she said. “It is important that I keep him abreast of what is going on. My goal for him is to be successful and to be an asset to society.”

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

3089 Heron Pointe

Bloomfield Hills

$1,999,900

201 Dourdan

Bloomfield Hills

$1,050,000

3715 Shallow Brook

Bloomfield Hills

$625,000

Birmingham

$475,000

Custom built home with over 250 feet of lake frontage on Forest Lake. New roof, mechanicals and windows.

Huge finished walkout lower level. 3 car attached garage. Gated community. Bloomfield schools. Gorgeous lake views throughout this amazing home.

To be built home by Cranbrook Custom Homes in desirable Dourdan Place Sub, a neighborhood of 18 custom homes. Stone and brick elevation. Standard features will include granite counters throughout, custom cabinets, nook and great room with wide plank wood flooring. 4 bedrooms upstairs plus an additional loft/play room.

Located on a ravine lot in a naturally private setting. This Bloomfield Township Colonial built in 1978 has been well maintained. Nice open floor plan. Finished basement. Bloomfield Hills schools.

927 Worthington

Wonderfully expanded Colonial on a nice lot in Birmingham. Remodeled kitchen with SS appls and Corian Counters opens to back nook and family room addition. Huge master bedroom suite, large WIC and nice bath. Two other spacious bedrooms up with a second full bath. Finished rec room in basement. Two car detached garage. Paver patio.

4762 S. Chipping Glenn

Bloomfield Hills

$1,899,900

Stunning Hills of Lone Pine custom 2004 home. Gorgeous kitchen with Millennium cabinetry and top end appliances. 12 foot ceilings, brazilian cherry hardwood floors, 5 fireplaces. Incredible main level master suite includes his and her baths and closets. Four car attached heated garage with epoxy floor.

503 W Merrill

Birmingham

$975,000

75 Manor

Bloomfield Hills

$589,900

217 Dourdan

Bloomfield Hills

$299,900

Downtown living at its finest in this quality built beautiful townhouse condo. Large white kitchen with granite counters, center island and spacious nook area. Formal Dining area and Living Room with fireplace and hardwood floors. Fantastic master suite has vaulted ceiling, huge WIC and bath. Finished lower level with family room, full bath and exercise room/additional bedroom. 2 car attached garage. Private patio. First floor laundry.

Spacious ranch tucked away on almost a half acre lot, just minutes from downtown Birmingham. Home has large main floor master bedroom addition, a first floor laundry and a two car attached garage. Patio and decking on a beautiful yard. Birmingham schools.

An exclusive development of million dollar plus homes. Bloomfield Hills schools. Last lot remaining. Build your dream home. Lot price only.

Chris Pero Associate Broker

248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com | over $42 million sold in 2016

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

455 Aspen

Birmingham

$1,499,900

Wonderful newer build home designed by Ron Rea, with a spacious open floor plan and soaring two story living room with fireplace. Gorgeous eat-in kitchen includes large island, premium appls, and custom cabinetry. Spectacular master suite. Finished basement. 4 car garage.

35 Quarton Rd

Bloomfield Hills

$649,900

3045 S. Westview Ct

Bloomfield Hills

$499,999

Birmingham

$299,900

Stately red brick Colonial, built in the 20's, sitting on nearly one acre of beautiful grounds in Bloomfield Village. Newer kitchen with Wolf stove and Sub Zero fridge. Four bdrms, 2.2 baths. Two car side entry garage. Tremendous character and charm throughout. Birmingham schools. Also for lease - $4250/mo.

Spacious home on a beautiful cul-de-sac lot of almost one acre in Bloomfield. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, hardwood floors and SS appls. Heated Florida room overlooking backyard. Four bedrooms upstairs. Lower level includes laundry, office or 5th bedroom, huge family room and a patio right outside. 2 car attached side entrance garage. New driveway 2016.

1662 E Melton

Expanded Sheffield Estates brick Bungalow on a great street. Nice kitchen with SS appliances. Family room addition off the back with a fireplace and an Andersen doorwall out to a paver patio. One bedroom and a full bath on the main level. Upstairs was also bumped out to create a large master, a second bedroom and a second full bath. 2 car detached garage.

60 Quarton Lane

Bloomfield Hills

1418 Washington

Birmingham

$639,900

590 Riverside

Birmingham

$449,900

600 West Brown

Birmingham

$2,000/mo

Completely remodeled and expanded 4 bedroom home on a beautiful Birmingham street. Open floor plan includes kitchen with granite counters, nook and breakfast bar opening to large family room with fireplace.

Great master suite has a nice bath and WIC. Finished basement. Spacious paver patio. Two car garage. Walk to town location.

Unique opportunity for land purchase in a secluded detached condo development. Tucked away site yet just blocks away from town. Lot price only.

Great unit for lease in downtown Birmingham. Nice views from balcony and windows in this 3rd floor unit.

Elevator and exercise room in building. Covered parking. 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Basement storage.

Available for immediate possession.

Chris Pero Associate Broker

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

$1,499,900

Sprawling ranch with an open floor plan, extensively renovated. Beautiful new kitchen includes center island and Viking appliances. 4 bedrooms, 5.1 updated baths. Finished walk out lower level. 3 car side entry garage. Over one acre of property. Birmingham schools.

248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com | over $42 million sold in 2016

BUSINESS MATTERS Mid-east chocolatier Bateel, a gourmet chocolate and fine food shop, is bringing a taste of Dubai to Birmingham this spring.

Located at 215 N. Old Woodward Avenue, this is the first Bateel to open in the U.S. “It’s a very sophisticated, elevated line of chocolates, sweets and a combination of dates and specialty chocolates,” said Mo Asker, director of the Birmingham store.

Bateel specializes in dates, a prominent fruit used in Middle Eastern cuisine. “We will offer a range of all types of dates. Dates are a natural sugar. We will sell it by the pound, piece or pre-packaged box.”

Bateel will also offer pastries, pastas and specialty balsamic vinegars made organically from dates. “All our products will be imported from Dubai,” he said. Bateel has been in operation for 25 years. “We saw success internationally, and the U.S. was the next (region) to explore.”

Spa expansion Maciek Lyko, owner of Spa Mariana at 909 Haynes in Birmingham, has opened a second location at 6447 Inkster Road in Bloomfield Township. “We offer body treatments, facials, massages, traditional Thai body work and nutrition counseling,” he said. Spa Mariana also offers private yoga treatments and has a medical doctor on staff. In the new location, “there are four major treatment rooms,” Lyko said. “There is also a relaxation lounge with a boutique area and kitchen. The minute you walk in, you are walking into an aromatherapy world. It’s very calm and relaxing.” Spa Mariana is known for treating VIP and celebrity clients. “They often request a special entrance or they’ll request the spa to be reserved for just them,” he said. “We work with sports teams and we are the exclusive spa for the Townsend Hotel.”

New exercise form Stretch Zone, a facility specializing in practitioner-assisted stretching, recently opened its doors at 1083 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Township. “It’s not stretching as you know it,” founder Jorden Gold said.

“It’s a proprietary system. It’s different than anything that has been done before.” The equipment at Stretch Zone is patented, and downtownpublications.com

trained practitioners specifically position clients to optimize results.

“We do all the work; you get all the benefits. We’re a lazy man’s yoga,” Gold said. “It’s programming your nervous system to have instant flexibility.” The 1,500 sq. ft. space, situated at Telegraph and Long Lake roads, is arranged like a studio. “We have five tables and there is a big, soft area with cushiony tables.” According to Gold, clients can expect swift results.

“You can actually feel and see the results,” he said. “There is no pain or discomfort. It’s done with great control.” Stretch Zone facilities have been utilized by basketball and football teams, entertainers and celebrities. Their techniques are equally beneficial to the overall health of the average person and clients who have sustained injuries.

“People want to be able to do what they no longer can do. (Stretch Zone) stretches back the years.” The first session is free to new clients, and a typical session lasts 30 minutes. ” The new location employs five certified practitioners with extensive, on-site training and undergo continuing education. The Bloomfield Township facility is the 29th location nationwide. “I formed the company in 2004,” Gold said.

“We went from two (locations) to 29 this past year, and we already have 40 more teed up for this year.”

Unique dining option Looking for a new place to eat?

2941 Mediterranean Street Food will open their third eatery at 176 S. Old Woodward Avenue in downtown Birmingham the end of February.

“We have different regions that we bring into the cuisine,” said Nic Saad, director of operations. “2941 is actually the longitude and latitude of the Mediterranean in the Middle East.” The eatery offers healthy and flavorful cuisines inspired from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Egypt and Israel. “People are leaning more towards a healthier options,” Saad said. “The food has a lot of flavor and it’s really, really tasty. Nothing is frozen and you can feel good about it after you’ve eaten it.” Diners are able to choose their meal and customize it with their choice of protein, sauces, vegetables and salads. “We have a variety of street snacks, salads and desserts,” he said. “We want to offer something that people have never

tried before.” 2941 seats approximately 55 diners and offer carryout. 2941 also has a restaurant in Rochester Hills and midtown Detroit. Two more metro Detroit locations, in Auburn Hills and West Bloomfield, are slated to open in 2017.

Luxury pampering A genuine Mother of Pearl red shell wall, metallic tiles and a cozy fireplace greet clients at the Color Box Luxury Nail and Beauty Bar in the Rail District at 2159 Cole Street in Birmingham. Husband and wife duo Kendra and Victor Geralt envisioned a unique, posh nail salon that would pamper clients and offer an organic, natural experience.

“Every pedicure is done in a zero gravity lounge,” Kendra said. “We don’t use jets or tubs. They’re all done with steam towels. Water will expand your nail plate and it makes it harder for anything to adhere to it.

The advantages (to using a steam towel) are that your polish is going to last longer. It’s also less likely to peel and chip. It’s more sanitary and there is no risk of waterborne bacteria.” Rather than using paraffin wax, Color Box uses beeswax. “We also carry a line of organic, naturally scented oil that can be added to (the beeswax).” Kendra is certified in manicuring oncology from the Wellness Center for Cancer and said the steam towel method makes for the safest pedicure for clients who suffer from health conditions such as cancer or diabetes. The Color Box currently employs seven manicurists, a makeup artist, a reflexologist and an eyelash expert. “Everyone that I hired has several years of experience,” Kendra said. “They are very down-to-earth and creative.”

The pricing is comparable to any other elegant nail service in Birmingham, she said. “We are going to offer series pricing that can be discounted for loyal clients and all new clients will receive a complimentary manicure with a pedicure.”

hospice assistance to the elderly.

The decision to embark on this business venture was personal for Wudyka. “I had an aunt, who was like my second mother, and she was passing away from cancer two years ago,” he said. “There were (workers) helping her. They bathed her and did her hair. They tidied her house.

It allowed her to maintain her dignity. It was just the little things that made a dramatic difference in her life.” Wudyka said he realized it was his calling. Caregivers at BrightStar are certified nursing assistants. They undergo background checks and have been drug-tested. “We continue training with them monthly to make sure they continue providing good care.”

BrightStar Care is a nationwide company. The Bloomfield Township location services Birmingham, Bloomfield, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Oak Park and Southfield.

Realtor expansion

In-home health care

Max Broock Realtors at 255 S. Old Woodward Avenue recently expanded their offices by 14,000 sq. ft. “We added 16 offices,” said Jon Swords, broker manager. “It was a pretty big expansion. It’s a very contemporary space. It’s all glass interior and glass offices.” The Birmingham institution has occupied the space since 1947.

Max Broock has increased their staff from 40 agents to 231 agents.

“We’ve really grown,” Swords said.

“Our success has been based on service. We’ve always been known as a hometown business and we really wanted to stay with our roots.” The renovations took four months to complete. “It was a pretty involved operation.” Rather than seek a larger space elsewhere, it was essential to the real estate company that they remain in Birmingham. “The city has been very supportive of us,” he said. “The most important thing for me is that our growth has been built on culture.

It’s important to have (agents) who are happy and healthy at work. Our agents love downtown. It’s a really great place.”

Local entrepreneur Edwin Wudyka recently opened BrightStar Care, an in-home care agency, at 44004 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Township. The company provides companionship, skilled care, infusions, meal preparation and

Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Katey Meisner. Send items for consideration to KateyMeisner@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

DOWNTOWN

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FACES

Jason Ruff aster glassblower Jason Ruff was studying ceramics in 1991 at the College for Creative Studies, in Detroit, when he stumbled on a group of students blowing glass across the hall from one of his classes.

"It was mesmerizing to watch. How could I not want to do this," Ruff said while shaping a blob of molten glass from a 2,400-degree furnace at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit. "I took an elective in glass. But when you go in there and try to make what you want, it's so frustrating. It took me about four years working with glass to get to the level I was already with in ceramics."

Apparently, part of the trick to glassblowing, other than years of practice, is to never become too attached to the piece you're making. For each of the dozens of glass decanters, cups and sculptures in the exhibition portion of his studio – many which sell for tens of thousands of dollars – there are a dozen or more broken or shattered pieces that never make it to the showroom.

"That's why glass art costs so much," he said. "People don't always realize how much goes into making one piece."

His most recent project involves his FIN6 handblown decanter series, which incorporates artistry and functionality. The pieces are designed to specifications that balance beauty, ergonomic design and function to decant a 750 milliliter bottle of wine in just minutes. Based on more than 15 years of work creating decanters, he said the decanters offer utility that others, including some of his previous designs, do not.

Ruff started experimenting with decanters about 17 years ago when he was commissioned by the Detroit International Wine Auction to produce 100 decanters for the show's use. Early designs featured an off-center decanter that later incorporated ribbing, bubbles and twists to help aerate

M

the wine. The current series, he said, came in more recent years.

At the time, Ruff was co-owner of Epiphany Glass in Pontiac, a wellrecognized art studio he founded with his former wife and partner, April Wagner. Together, the two built the business into a leading glass studio in southeast Michigan. When the two later parted ways and Ruff sold his end of the business, he returned to his hometown of Bloomfield Hills to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art, earning a master's degree in fine arts.

Ruff has spent the past two years building and designing the 4,500 square-foot space in Detroit that houses Jason Ruff Designs. He has designed and crafted nearly every piece of furniture and item in the space, which is a reconfigurable space that serves as a gallery, exhibition and performance space. Meanwhile, he continued to work with glass and his decanters.

"The purpose of a decanter is to get the sediments out, but most importantly, to aerate and open up the wine," he said. "This one does in two minutes what normally takes an hour to do."

In December, Ruff obtained a utility patent for the decanter, which allows him to market and produce the decanters on a large-scale level while retaining protections to keep others from copying the decanters.

The patent process itself, he said, took about five years, but the process leading to the current decanter was much longer.

"I probably made about 500 attempts before I made it to where I wanted it," Ruff said of the decanter. "Out of those 500 attempts, I probably broke three-quarters of them."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

PLACES TO EAT MARCH TASTING EVENTS Paddy, Powers & Tullamore Dew and Cigar Tour and Taste Thursday, March 9, 2017 • 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. $30 inclusive of tax and tip.

Attendees will receive a 20% discount to dine at Big Rock following the tasting.*

Winemaker Dinner with Wrath Wines Featuring special guest, winemaker Sabrine Rodems.

Thursday, March 23 • 6:30 p.m. $85 inclusive of tax and tip

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.

Rittenhouse, Russell’s & Templeton Cigar Tour and Taste Thursday, March 23, 2017 • 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. $30 inclusive of tax and tip.

Attendees will receive a 20% discount to dine at Big Rock following the tasting.*

Birmingham/Bloomfield

*Voucher good for the purchase of food and beverage, dine in only, must use the night of this event, no other discounts apply, non-transferrable, no cash value, not good towards 20% tip or 6% sales tax.

Executive Chef Gabby Milton • Executive Pastry Chef Eric Voigt 245 S. Eton St., Birmingham • 248.647.7774 • bigrockchophouse.com

6646 Telegraph at Maple Bloomfield Plaza

248.932.0800 The Only Place to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! $10 Off Party Trays or Carry Out Orders of $59.95 or more Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/17 DT

$5 Off Carry Out or Dine-In of $29.95 or more

Specializing In Award Winning

Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinners & Fabulous Overstuffed

Corned Beef Sandwiches 98

Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/17 DT

50% Off Diner Sit Down or CarryOut Buy One Dinner and 2 Drinks at Full Price, Get 2nd Dinner of Equal or lesser value half off.

Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/17 DT

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.

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.

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.

DOWNTOWN

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.

Four Story Burger: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.385.0506.

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. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166.

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

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.

03.17

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.

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.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

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

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

248.645.6999.

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

Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876 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.

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.

downtownpublications.com

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.

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. 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, TuesdaySaturday. 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, Monday-Saturday. 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,

DOWNTOWN

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.

The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112.

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.

Chapman House: French-American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. Liquor. 311 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 48307. 248.759.4406.

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.

99

SERVING DINNER 6 DAYS, BRUNCH ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY. PRIVATE EVENT SPACE AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES.

The Meeting House is a neighborhood restaurant focusing on seasonal cooking with fresh, locally sourced ingredients combined with warm, thoughtful service and genuine hospitality. Featuring craft cocktails, MI craft beer, and an approachable wine list.

301 South Main Street Rochester 48307

248-759-4825

www.themeetinghouserochester.com Follow Us On Facebook And Instagram

The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Downtown.

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

100

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.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.

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, Monday-

DOWNTOWN

Saturday. 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.

03.17

Not to b bee explained. exp explained . To be be exp experienced.

B 2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

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.

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,

downtownpublications.com

48226. 313.962.9366.

Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.438.5055.

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.

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248.220.4237 Reservations Accepted thestandbistro.com th hestandbistro.com m

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2017 NEW YEAR. NEW HOME. SAME #1 REALTOR. Max Broock Birmingham congratulates Michigan’s #1 Realtor on selling over $125 million in 2016.

K a t h y B r o o c k B a l l a r d MICHIGAN’S #1 REALTOR

2010, 2012 , 2013, 2014 , 2015, 2016

248.318.4504 | KathyBroock.com k at h y @ M a x B r o o c k h o m e s . c o m ®

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All Star

275 S OLD WOODWARD AVE BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE WORK WITH A TOP PERFORMER IN MICHIGAN AND AMERICA.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy — but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all” – Leo Rosten

On January 11, 1957, a committee of men was formed and a survey commissioned that found 68 men were interested in forming a new club at The Community House in Birmingham: The Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham. Club officers were elected, membership dues were collected, and from those humble beginnings, The Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham was established. They would become one of the first “supported” groups by and of The Community House in Birmingham.

Sixty years later, that tradition of excellence continues as this robust, accomplished group of men – thirsting to give back, to learn, to share their extraordinary gifts and talents – to one another and to the community – a club now over 600 members strong – a group of men who continue to faithfully share common values such as integrity, responsibility, fellowship and inclusivity.

We’re proud to announce that Senior Mortgage Lender Tim Smith has been named Michigan’s No. 1 Mortgage Originator for total purchase by volume in 2015 by national publication, Scotsman Guide.

Throughout 2017, The Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham will celebrate this incredible milestone with a vast array of anniversary activities, including a gala, speakers, special events and a concert. Whether you wish to celebrate with the Senior Men’s Club Bill Seklar members, extend a congratulatory message to them, contribute to their 60th Anniversary Campaign to “name a room” at The Community House or to find out about joining their remarkable organization – club leadership would like to hear from you. For more information, go to seniormensclubbirmingham.com or call The Community House at 248.644.5832.

Join the many homeowners who have relied on Tim’s committed service to his customers. Contact Tim today!

Tim Smith Senior Mortgage Lender | NMLS #533266 Tim.Smith@ChemicalBank.com 248.770.3717

ChemicalBank.com

Happy 60th Anniversary Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham – An Open Letter to You! Greetings Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham – Past, Present and Future Members, On the occasion of your 60th Anniversary as a club, as well as your 60th Anniversary as a six-decade partner, supporter and cherished friend of The Community House in Birmingham, Michigan, The Community House Board of Directors, its officers, staff and volunteers extends to each and every one of you – our heartiest congratulations and best wishes!

KEEP IT

Almost a century ago, a tone was set by our founders that The Community House would be a hub for charitable endeavors that promoted and enhanced the social, civic and philanthropic life of the community. It was to be the place for people, young and for the not-so-young, to bond, learn, and to grow in the community.

True to our mission, The Community House remains a tireless non-profit that is home to those seeking continuity between personal, professional, philanthropic and recreational pursuits.

Downtown.

The only publication of its kind in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Quality editorial environment.

Produced by local residents from offices in downtown Birmingham.

With the Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham close by our side, we have successfully made it our goal to stay true to this mission and to always be a “home-away-fromhome” for everyone in our community, especially our children and our seniors.

On this, the occasion of your 60th Anniversary Celebration, be assured that The Community House and the Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham will be forever intertwined. One cannot imagine the venerable Community House without one of its longest, most passionate and enthusiastic partners, the Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham, by its side. You will always remain a cherished part of the fabric of this unique and blessed non-profit charitable organization.

We applaud you in your philanthropic efforts to name a room at The Community House in honor of your “60 Years of Excellence” – a tangible expression of your affection for The Community House – and for each other.

In closing, we must remember the extraordinary men that came before us – visionaries who dared to believe that a Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham was possible. We humbly thank and remember them for their courage, their vision, their leadership…and for their friendship. Happy 60th Anniversary!

Cheers!

Join the local business leaders, almost 400 of whom use Downtown on a regular basis, in our April issue.

Ad deadline Friday, March 17.

Contact Mark Grablowski.

(O) 248.792.6464 (C) 586.549.4424

LOCAL

William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com

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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.

Detroit Historical Society Ball

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Detroit Historical Society Ball “This is a great send off for The Joe,” proclaimed Detroit Historical Society board president Tom Buhl. He was addressing the 465 Sally Gerak supporters ($450 & up tickets) gathered in black tie attire for dinner at the Joe Louis Arena. Affable event co-chairs Tom and Linda Wilson did the meet and greet gig as guests arrived, socialized and perused the silent auction and raffle displays. Following a splendid plated dinner, auctioneer Steve Gross got bids for 13 live auction lots, including Bobbi and Stephen Polk’s popular private dinner for eight at their home ($6,600) served by the hosts and DHS staffers. Both auctions garnered $118,000 and pledges to Adopt-aClass of DPS students brought an additional $20,000. A contingent of another 100 supporters ($100 ticket) arrived for the Afterglow, dancing and tours of the iconic Red Wings dressing room. Thanks also to sponsors, the formal farewell to the arena grossed $520,000. Souvenir bags contained a nice touch – autographed hockey pucks.

1. Linda (left) & Tom Wilson of Rochester, Terry & Maria Pryor of Beverly Hills. 2. Carlos (left), Julian and Veronica Carmona of Rochester. 3. Ryan (left), Stephen and Bobbi Polk of Bloomfield, Maryann & Bob Bury of Grosse Pointe. 4. Andrew (left) & Erika Dunlap of Birmingham, Rob & Kari Gillette of Beverly Hills.

Angels Place Dinner

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2 1. James Rosen (left) of Washington, DC, Renee & Gabe Zawaideh of Bloomfield. 2. Tom (left) & Bridgette MacLean and Judy & Frank Jonna of Bloomfield. 3. Doug North and Schuyler Hamill of Bloomfield. 4. Tim (left) & Lynn Gates and Nancy & Bill Girardot of Bloomfield.

Brave Night Pediatric Cancer Benefit The sixth annual benefit in memory of five-year-old Julian Boivin’s lost battle with brain cancer moved from Thanksgiving weekend and changed locations (Pine Lake Country Club). Good calls. It sold out (315 at $150 & up) and raised record funds. Oakland U’s award-winning a cappella group Gold Vibrations made music during the cocktail hour as guests bought silent auction items ($39,000) and raffle tickets ($10,000). Following the strolling dinner they spent $14,000 for three live auction items and pledged $28,500 to the cause. This brought the net proceeds to $115,000 for research grants through the DIPG Collaborative and pediatric brain tumor patient support at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Dan Rafferty Band kept people on the dance floor and the late-night Coney bar provided sustenance for the ride home.

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Boys & Girls Clubs Luncheon Members, guests and prospective members of the Women’s Committee convened at the Iroquois Club on MLK day to elect a slate of officers and to lunch. The WC co-chairs are Beth Moore and Sue Nine. After lunch, actress/author Cindy Williams did a Q&A with Sue Nine about her career that became really public in 1976 as the co-star of the TV sitcom “Laverne and Shirley.” She’s in town for her fourth gig at Meadow Brook Theatre, this time in “Mom’s Gift” which is getting great reviews. The comedian’s warm and spunky personality came though, especially when she shared stories about her struggle with dyslexia.

Brave Night Pediatric Cancer Benefit

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1. Nettie & Brad Boivin of Bloomfield. 2. Pat (left) & Courtney Lowman of Birmingham; Meredith & Dan Morse of Bloomfield. 3. James (left) & Andrea Guidone and Carla & Gary Glorio of Bloomfield.

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Angels Place Dinner The 24th annual Angels’ Place fundraising dinner, chaired by Tom and Bridgette MacLean and Gabe and Renee Zawaideh, attracted nearly 600 supporters ($200 - $300 tickets) to The Henry. Sipping, socializing and silent auction bidding dominated the cocktail hour. The post dinner program included a video starring residents of the 20 AP homes for people with developmental disabilities. This was followed by a salute to Rosemary Kelly and Loretta Nagle Ryan, two of the founders in attendance, led by executive director Cheryl Loveday. Guest speaker FOX News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen then greeted the crowd: “It’s good to be in God’s country...It’s humbling to be here (amidst) the self-evident good will.” In his speech, he noted that the November election represented “...a rebuke of the political classes...(and) a hunger for wit and civility.” The latter was a perfect lead into his latest book, “A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century” – an anthology of 50 of William F. Buckley Jr.’s eulogies which epitomize civility and good humor. The heartening evening raised more than $341,000.

The Gallery The 2017 North American International Auto Show, which closed Jan. 22 after 806,554 people had toured Cobo, actually kicked off the Saturday before

DOWNTOWN

03.17

press days with an event dubbed The Gallery.

The 10th annual prestigious event brought 500 people ($500 ticket) to the MGM Grand for a chef Wolfgang Puck dinner served buffet style in the casino’s Ignite Lounge. The friendly chef himself was front and centre and not above plating one of his favorite menu items – Peking duck. After schmoozing, sipping and supping, guests strolled to the ballroom where 28 ultra-luxury cars from such makers as Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Rolls Royce valued at more than $10 million awaited their knowledgeable inspection. They also bid generously ($32,450) for exclusive lots – experiences and products – in a silent auction that benefited C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Sponsor Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel’s Kyle Swink was also showcasing the firm’s new listing – the luxurious penthouse in the Book Cadillac Westin priced at $2,495,000.

NAIAS Charity Preview Detroit’s “prom,” the largest annual single-night fundraiser in the world, attracted 12,881 ($400-ticket) to the NAIAS at Cobo Center. It raised nearly $5.2 million, bringing to more than $111 million total charity proceeds since the event was established in 1976. The beneficiaries were Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan, Boys Hope/Girls Hope, The Children’s Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Detroit PAL, Judson Center, March of Dimes and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Foundation. Many also bought tickets ($150) for the After Party at Studio 25, where the legendary Beach Boys kept the party going.

Big Shots, Little STARS Some 300 Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation advocates ensured their Charity Preview night convenience and comfort by making reservations ($250) for the foundation’s donor appreciation party at the MGM Grand. It included valet parking, a welcome reception and shuttle to and from Cobo. Upon their return, many switched their party shoes for comfortable slippers, and others partook of neck and foot massages offered by MGM Spa staffers. Two party rooms – a sophisticated lounge with jazz vocals by Kimmie Horne and a casual pub with billiard tables – satisfied all tastes. Both offered open bars and strolling food stations.

During a brief pause in the entertainment, new foundation president Larry Burns thanked and introduced sponsor AAA Michigan’s Joe Day. His main message was profuse praise of event chair Mable Jones.

The CHMF board member retired after 34 years at AAA, but not before she founded AAA’s Free Car Seat & Safety Inspection Program in 2012. Approximately 25 percent of the $5.2 million Charity Preview proceeds were designated to CHMF. The Children’s Center AutoGlow The Children’s Center, another of the eight downtownpublications.com

Boys & Girls Clubs Luncheon

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1. Jane Moore (left), Dawn Kuhne and Sarah Cameron of Bloomfield. 2. Diane Nine (left) of Washington, DC, Sue Nine and Bev & Beth Moore of Bloomfield. 3. Connie McEwan (left) of Birmingham, Chris Toski of Clarkston, Carmen Gillespie of Plymouth. 4. Ruth Cantalini (left) of New Baltimore, Peggy Yazejian of Bloomfield.

The Gallery

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1. Chef Wolfgang Puck (left) of Los Angeles, CA, Anne, Sam and Claire Slaughter of Milford. 2. John & Beth North of Birmingham.

3. Jason (left) & Christie Verbrugghe of Rochester, Kim & Noel Thompson of Oxford. 4. Bill Hampton (left) & Tavi Fulkerson of Bloomfield, Frank Campanale of Orchard Lake.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Charity Preview beneficiaries, also staged its annual AutoGlow fundraiser before and after the “prom.” Longtime CC supporters, Lisa and Bill Ford and Jane and Mark Fields welcomed nearly 1,200 guests to the Monopoly-themed soiree where Mr. Monopoly roamed the party. Guests were photographed in jail and danced on a lifesized game board dance floor. They savored Waldorf salad at Park Place, oven-roasted salmon on Atlantic Avenue, and sweet treats galore on Boardwalk. Thanks to generous sponsors, the event netted more than $340,000 for vital services to 7,500 Detroit families.

Big Shots, Little STARS

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1. Mable Jones (center) of Detroit, Keith Mobley (left) of Birmingham and Joe Richardson of Chicago, IL. 2. Judie (left) & Larry Burns of Grosse Pointe, Carolyn Markowitz & Scott Werner of Birmingham. 3. Leslie Fleming (center) of Bloomfield, Matt (left) and Jodi Friedman of W. Bloomfield. 4. Paul (left) & Shohreh Mazzarella of Bloomfield, Dan & Beth Schrock of Birmingham.

St. Regis School Winter Ball

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1. Christi Hanzel (left) of Bloomfield, Christina Yono and Bridgette Sagmani of W. Bloomfield. 2. Tami Smith and Patti Brozek of Bloomfield. 3. Heather & Bill Venner of Bloomfield.

CARE House Circle of Friends Party

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1. Ashley Rhodes-Courter (left) of St. Petersberg, FL, Tamara Rambus of Bloomfield. 2. Carol Hanson (left) & Chuck Ludwig of Rochester Hills, Joan Young & Tom Schellenberg of Bloomfield. 3. Glen Ross of Rochester Hills, Blythe Spitsbergen of Farmington.

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DOWNTOWN

St. Regis School Winter Ball It seems like yesterday that the St. Regis school fundraiser was a casual auction in the school gym. Times change. This year Bridget Sagmani and Christina Yono and their committee gave the lady guests a good excuse to dress to the nines by making it the Dream Big, Sparkle More, Shine Bright Winter Ball. The swellegant soiree attracted 310 school boosters to Shenandoah Country Club.

Instead of a traditional silent auction, there was a chance raffle of 28 lots which raised $45,000 (at $10 ticket). There was also a special raffle for seven days on a fivebedroom yacht. A bell was rung 97 times, each time a $1,000 raffle ticket was sold. New school principal Katie Brydges and new parish pastor Fr. David Buersmeyer thanked all before the splendid dinner was served.

Afterwards, auctioneer David Levy elicited bids totaling $30,000 for 10 lots. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the joyful evening netted more than $160,000 for the elementary school which emphasizes academics and faith.

CARE House Circle of Friends Twenty-one years ago, when the agency that heals abused children was already 19 years old, a group of supporters formed the Circle of Friends to fundraise for it. That founding group included Doris August, Vicki Celani, Elyse Folton, Janet Grant, Pat Rosen, Lois Shaevsky and Dr. Linda Sircus.

Their first luncheon overwhelmed the parking facilities at Bloomfield Open Hunt. The next year they added a Patron Party to the event schedule and started bringing a celebrity speaker to town for both the patron event and the next day’s luncheon, which settled happily into The Townsend Hotel. This year, board member Tamara Rambus chaired the event and got Tiffany & Company to host the Patron Party for 75 of the patrons. Like the speakers who preceded her, advocate/author Ashley Rhodes-Courter’s moving but energetic message illustrated the CARE House slogan, “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.” Her rescue from the foster care system by a volunteer after 14 placements was also a perfect reference to the day’s honoree, the very recently retired judge Joan Young.

Judge Cheryl Matthews praised Young’s 03.17

NAILED IT. ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR!

44.8% INCREASE IN SALES

70

$35

UNITS SOLD

MILLION IN SALES

“If you’re looking for major league treatment, Christian Grothe is a no-brainer!”

“Christian did an outstanding job. He was very prepared and easy to work with.”

– Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers

– Justin Abdelkader, Detroit Red Wings

CHRISTIAN GROTHE cgrothe@gmail.com | christiangrothe.com | 248.979.1900

Ranked as one of the “TOP 100” Realtors in the Nation by the Real Estate All-Star by HOUR magazine

®

275 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE, DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK invaluable support of the Court Appointed Special Advocate program. The audience of 250 ($120, $175 patron) gave both Young and Rhode-Courter standing ovations. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event raised $75,000 for CARE House of Oakland County.

CARE House Circle of Friends Luncheon

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1. Pat Rosen (left) of Troy, Courtney & Kappy Trott of Birmingham, n Blythe Spitsbergen of Farmington, Pat Wagner of Bloomfield.

2. Retired Oakland County Judge/honoree Joan Young (left) and her elected replacement Judge Victoria Valentine of Bloomfield.

3. Janice & Barry King of Birmingham. 4. Joann Gordon (left) and Jan Hoge of Bloomfield, Diana Howard of Franklin. 5. Andrea Mitra (left), of Bloomfield, Pat Lodish of Birmingham, Sandie Knollenberg of Bloomfiled, Yoland Karcheof Bingham Farms.

Variety’s Cook-Off

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Motor City Open

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1. Mike Beauregard (left), Derrick Glencer and Peter Schmidt of Bloomfield. 2. Terry Barr (left) and Jon Uffelman of Bloomfield, and Liz Luckenbach and Jeff Gembis of Birmingham. 3. Robert Greenstone (left) of Bloomfield, Don Dunskee of Naperville, IL.

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Variety’s Cook-Off Variety, the Children’s Charity discovered several years ago that Chili, Mac & Comfort Food are a perfect antidote to the January-inMichigan malaise. This year, 225 supporters ($100, $150 tickets) convened at The Townsend to savor such cuisine prepared and donated by 10 restaurants . David King chaired the committee that uses straw hats, red bandanalined baskets of popcorn and boot stomping music by DJ Jamez Fredrick to set the casual party tone. They also set up a Chance Raffle which brought in $6,500. Guests and judges (Annabel Cohen, Steve Pardo and Johnny Prepolec) voted for their favorite offerings in each category, and this year, both groups of voters agreed. The mac’n’cheese title went to The Community House; the chili winner was Four Story Burger; and Green Lantern won the comfort food title. The energetic evening raised $50,000.for Variety’s programs that change children’s lives.

3 1. Nathan Mersereau (left) of Livonia, David King of Birmingham, Paul Glantz of Lake Angelus. 2. Freddie & Susie Phillips of Bloomfield. 3. Jennie Cascio (left) of Bloomfield, Herb & Debbie Knowles of Birmingham. 4. Mia (left) and Gayle Orlow of Beverly Hills, Cindy Oliver of Bloomfield and Ed & Felicia Shaw of Birmingham.

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Beyond Basics Benefit Luncheon Pam Good, Katana Abbott, Sandy Morrison, Judie Sherman and Elaine Swenson hosted a Hats Off birthday luncheon for Susanne Dicker Forbes that spotlighted two of the honoree’s favorite things – hats and charity. Not only was the birthday cake designed like the former, most of the 60 guests also wore hats. And Beyond Basic’s literacy program at Woodside Bible’s Pontiac Dream Center benefited from more than $3,000 in birthday tributes. Guests also heard moving descriptions of the Dream Center’s and Beyond Basics’ missions.

DOWNTOWN

Motor City Open The Professional Squash Association 18th annual tour stop at the Birmingham Athletic Club is another January doldrums eliminator.

In addition to the fierce competition between internationally-ranked pros, the six-day event, chaired by Derrick Glencer, Mike Beauregard and Peter Schmidt, included socials, clinics and a silent charity auction. This year Racquet Up Detroit was the beneficiary. “It’s a tough time to be a kid in Detroit,” executive director Derek Aquire told the crowd at the Thursday night Sponsors & Players Party. He added that “...Racquet Up is not (so much about) squash as it is about education, community service and travel.” When the MCO concluded, Australian Ryan Cuskelly had taken the winner’s title from defending champ Ali Farag and the charity auction had netted $30,000 for the Detroit youth development program.

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

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ENDNOTE

The inadequate state revenge porn law evenge porn, also known as cyber rape, sexual cyber harassment, sextortion, or cyber exploitation, is when an individual or a partner who has been in an intimate relationship has nude or sexual photos or videos posted on the internet or websites that are designed to blackmail, humiliate, intimidate or exploit them for breaking up with them, or to control them. They are posted on these sites without the victim's consent, and experts maintain it is a form of control and abuse.

Unlike traditional pornography, it is not meant as a form of entertainment. It is a form of domestic and sexual abuse. Often personal information is posted along with the images, such as the victim's name, home address, workplace, and links to social media profiles, so that the viewer of the revenge porn can identify the victims – exposing them to workplace discrimination, cyberstalking, further harassment, or even physical attacks.

Revenge porn is meant to hurt and shame the victim. It succeeds by doing both. It also can haunt them for a long time, lingering on the internet, often in perpetuity. While victims are most frequently female, in their twenties and thirties, they can be of any age, and some victims are male.

Now, since April 2016, revenge porn is also a misdemeanor criminal offense. But it's one without as much teeth as there should be for such a heinous act of cyberbullying against another

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human being. Which is leading prosecutors to charge perpetrators of revenge porn under other codified offenses, such as stalking or posting through electronic means, both of which are fiveyear felonies.

Michigan's revenge porn law is a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than 93 days in jail and or a maximum fine of $500. A second and subsequent violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than a year and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. As Oakland County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Paul Walton said, “We may use this law, or we may not, because revenge porn is a misdemeanor, and it's terribly shocking to the victim. By the time they get to the point to contact the police and prosecute, they come in as true victims. They're humiliated. They're devastated.

Then they learn it's a misdemeanor, and their ex, who did this to them, is going to walk out the same door as they are. It's terribly disheartening.”

Revenge porn is a new category of cyber transgressions that the law, both criminal and civil, is working to catch up with. In 2013, only two states had revenge porn laws. Today, 34 states do.

As a criminal offense, Michigan's law was a bit of a communal cooking pot stew, with state legislators coming together in the last session, after a few failed efforts, to finally get a law passed. Its sponsors, Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) and

Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren), worked across the aisle, with their associates in the state House never far from their minds. Jones said he made the compromise to make it a misdemeanor in order to get it passed in the state House of Representatives, feeling the $500 fine would make defendants think twice about posting the images. They also had to consider the ACLU, which looks to question infringements on Americans' right to free speech.

While Arizona's revenge porn law has been ruled unconstitutional, Michigan's ACLU worked with state legislators to help craft a law which would stand up to constitutional scrutiny. While the ACLU said they did not support the law, they were neutral on it – in essence endorsing it. Yet, it left the law a bit of a shaved dog – it can still bark, but no one takes it seriously.

So everyone involved in making the law came away happy – except the victims and the prosecutors working to protect them.

A federal law is needed to provide universal protection to victims of revenge porn, to outlaw any and all posting of images without someone's consent. An effort in 2016, the Intimate Protection Privacy Act, spearheaded by U. S. Rep. Jackie Spear of California, died with the last Congress.

In the meantime, it is left to prosecutors and the civil courts to find stronger remedies for those whose privacy and intimacy have been violated.

Use existing tools as growth incentives very community, even those that appear to be vibrant and thriving, have to work to develop a strong and flourishing business community, but then need to work to maintain their prosperity. Wise municipalities not only create the instruments they need to thrive, but figure out how to utilize those economic weapons to their best advantage.

About 10 years ago, faced with empty storefronts, Birmingham became very creative in their development of economic incentives to help reinvent the municipality from a cozy neighborhood downtown area into a destination city. Among other useful tools, from the 2016 Plan, planners and commissioners developed two adjunct liquor licenses that could be parsed out as economic development tools – the bistro liquor license and the economic development license.

The bistro liquor license was intended to revitalize the streets of the city, with two a year being given out for unique dining concepts, with no more than 65 seats per establishments, with up to 10 at a bar, and outdoor seating a must and windows that take up a majority of the glazing, in order to activate the streetscape, creating walkability along Birmingham's streets and

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inviting the public in. Bistros have been an overwhelming success, with outdoor dining and patios dotting the city's landscape in warmer months.

But Birmingham has another device in their arsenal, one they have used sparingly over the years, called the economic development liquor license. According to their own ordinance section from 2016, “The purpose of this division is to establish a policy and conditions to allow the city commission the ability to approve a request to transfer a liquor license into the city in excess of the city's quota licenses if the request is deemed to constitute a substantial economic development and benefit to the city,” of which they categorize as an investment that increases the value of the property by at least 500 percent.

City commissioners determined a few years ago that a corridor along Woodward Avenue would be the ideal zoning area for the the kind of redevelopment they envisioned for economic development licenses. Current restaurants that qualified for an economic development license are The Stand and Triple Nickel, both on Woodward.

But city commissioners are missing out on the opportunity to revitalize both the Rail District and

the Triangle District, which the city wants fashioned with the best of development, and developers, who are seeking partnerships and incentives.

A perfect example is the Whole Foods market currently under construction at 2100 E. Maple Road, recently rezoned into the Rail District at the city's easternmost edge. As part of the store's market plan, they are envisioning a small restaurant inside, and are seeking a liquor license to serve beer and wine, as they do in other highend markets. While they have sought a bistro license, their own attorney concedes it is not an ideal fit, and doesn't match the city's criteria of a bistro. But it does meet the specifications for an economic development license, with its $25 million investment, 250 jobs, and 500 percent increase in value. At a February commission meeting, commissioners were loathe to consider that request, as it veered off the Woodward corridor.

We believe the Whole Foods project, on a longvacant property on a major roadway in the Rail District, is an ideal candidate for consideration for an economic development license. Tools are there to be used – wisely and appropriately.

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