GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: FOREST GRILL IN BIRMINGHAM
INNOCENCE PROJECT OVERTURNING OLD VERDICTS TO OPEN UP PRISON DOORS
DOWNSIDE OF SEXTING PERSONAL RISKS, VIOLATION OF LAW
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS A REVIEW THAT TRULY MATTERS TO DINERS
BUILDER OF THE YEAR DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME The Homebuilders Association of Southeastern Michigan recognized Moceri Companies with the trifecta of its highest awards. You are invited to see firsthand why Moceri is Michigan’s Legendary Dream Builder.
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DOWNTOWN02.15
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Newfound freedom: The Innocence Project It's assumed that everyone sent to prison is guilty and deserves to be incarcerated. At times, however, the justice system makes errors.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
18
GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: FOREST GRILL IN BIRMINGHAM
The Michigan Republican Party has itself to blame for the ongoing controversy over the state's Republican National Committee member Dave Agema, generally considered to be homophobic, Islamophobic and racist.
INCOMING
21
Our readers' opinions on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities or their reaction to content in past issues of Downtown.
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
73
Township finance review panel forming; Downtown FOIA appeal granted and what the document says about Bloomfield investments; single waste hauler chosen; DTE meets with officials over tree removal; Muslim center parking lawsuit; plus more.
BUSINESS MATTERS
97
The Varsity Shop; The Joint: The Chiropractic Place; Dogtopia; Townhouse; Closet Interiors.
AT THE TABLE
101
Reviewer J. March was underwhelmed on a visit to proprietor/chef Brian Polcyn's acclaimed Forest Grill in Bimingham where Chef Nick Janutol has been installed as the Chef de Cuisine.
INNOCENCE PROJECT OVERTURNING OLD VERDICTS TO OPEN UP PRISON DOORS
DOWNSIDE OF SEXTING PERSONAL RISKS, VIOLATION OF LAW
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS A REVIEW THAT TRULY MATTERS TO DINERS
THE COVER Entrance to the 37-acre natural and landscaped grounds of the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House on Quarton Road in Bloomfield Hills, established in the 1800s. Downtown photo: G. Lynn Barnett.
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RENEE LOSSIA ACHO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AGENT AND AN EXPERT
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33 Restaurant inspections Probably the most important review for any restaurant is the results of the over 17,000 inspections done annually by the Oakland County Health Division.
51 The dangers of sexting While it may seem private and harmless, the growing trend of sexting – sending explicit photos – among the younger set has definite downsides.
31
Katharine Zarella
COMMUNITY HOUSE
103
The newly appointed President of The Community House (TCH), William Seklar, talks about coming home to his new position and upcoming events at this important community meeting/even place.
SOCIAL LIGHTS
105
Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
118
Our thoughts on the recommendations in the outside consultant's report on Bloomfield Township investments, and the ongoing legislative push to provide compensation to those wrongfully sent to prison.
FACES
31 39 59 71
Katharine Zarella
Jake Schreier
Marc Schwartz
Sabrina Mayhew
Max Broock Realtors Congratulates
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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS Allison Batdorff Kevin Elliott | Camille Jayne
STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf | J. Marsh | Kathleen Meisner
PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISTING MANAGER Jill Cesarz ADVERTISING SALES Heather Marquis GRAPHICS/DESIGN G. Lynn Barnett WEBSITE/CONTRIBUTOR 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 email to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009 WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
F
ollowing the machinations and controversy over the last 12-14 months surrounding Dave Agema, Michigan’s infamous Republican National Committee (RNC) member, my first inclination was to write-off the GOP as a hopeless cause here in Michigan and quite possibly on a national level. Agema, for those unfamiliar, was a Michigan State Representative for three terms (2007-2013) from the west side of the state, representing parts of the Grand Rapids area. I spent a couple years living/working in those environs when first out of college and conservative is probably an understatement when it comes to capturing the political sentiment of the local populace. In the case of Agema, he generally won his general elections by over 70 percent of the vote each time until he was term-limited from office. During his time in the Michigan House, Agema was already telegraphing his far right beliefs on a number of issues, like right to life and gay civil rights. But then he pulled off an election at the state Republican convention to become one of Michigan’s two members on the Republican National Committee, by a vote of 69 percent of the 2,100 delegates at the gathering for a term that runs from 2012 through 2016. Agema’s victory at the convention, where he upended incumbent RNC committee member Saul Anuzis, who had served as the GOP state chairman, came despite the latter’s support by many of the state level power brokers, including the current governor.
At first blush it would be easy to say that the Tea Party support he had garnered was the reason for Agema’s ascendency to the national position. But Anuzis was also the victim of clashes between the camps of Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, who were fighting over how presidential primary delegates should be divvied up in the future, and Santorum state convention delegates got their comeuppance for Anuzis’ support of Romney. Add to that mix those in attendance who backed Ron Paul, no big fan of Anuzis. When you combine those two groups of delegates with the Tea Party backers of Agema, it was the end for Anuzis who had been a player in national politics for years, including an often-mentioned possible RNC chairman contender. Once ensconced at a national level, Agema showed his true colors, much to the chagrin of most Michigan Republicans. Through a series of social media postings, he has clearly established himself as homophobic, Islamaphobic and just simply racist. I won’t legitimize his rantings by repeating them here, but they usually take the form of posting articles from other extreme society malcontents and the publications reflecting their views, which allows Agema to deflect criticism by noting that these are
statements from others, not necessarily his own writings. His personal views are judged so offensive that at a recent Michigan Tea Party annual PowWow, where Agema was a keynote speaker, the conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Heritage Action withdrew their sponsorship, leaving sponsors like the John Birch Society, Americans for Prosperity, Rick Santorum’s Patriot Voices and the Tea Party Patriots. To the credit of a few leaders in the Michigan GOP, Agema’s twisted views on issues and diverse population groups were denounced starting about a year ago when state party chairman and Oakland County resident Bobby Schostak first called for his resignation as an RNC member, which Agema just ignored. But the chorus of those calling Agema out for his views did not really pick up steam until recently as the RNC was preparing to meet in San Diego. Party leaders from other states, as well as those in Michigan, have started to speak out more often. Among the Michigan voices playing into the call for his resignation are respected party leaders like Paul Welday, chairman of the GOP 14th District Committee, who took to the pages of the Detroit Free Press in a guest column recently. And we are starting to see some of the more rational members of the legislature, like Michigan Senator Mike Kowall from Oakland County, lead the effort to gather Republican lawmakers’ support for the resignation call. My faith was restored a bit further when in a closed door meeting in California on January 16, the RNC executive committee voted to censure Agema for “harmful rhetoric” and promised to use “all available tools to remove him from the committee”, despite the fact that there is little in terms of national rules or policy that allow the RNC to accomplish this. Which puts the onus back on Michigan Republicans who may be rendered as ineffective as national RNC members. This all comes at a time when the GOP, nationally and in Michigan, desperately needs to implement what has become known as the Big Tent theory to build a more diverse base of voters while at the same time hold on to party faithful who have tired of the extremism that has crept into the party and its platform. Only time will show whether Republicans here are serious enough to keep the Agema mess at the forefront and work diligently to get him removed from the national stage before he inflicts further damage on the GOP. Anything short of that will only mean that Agema’s views have a more solid following in the party, which will ultimately mean the loss of more GOP supporters.
David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com
INCOMING 'Ground-to-sky' plan Thank you for your coverage of the DTE tree trimming issue. Flexibility on the part of DTE power users/property owners and DTE line clearance personnel is surely a key. However, in my yard and neighborhood along the Franklin circuit with a deep, longstanding history of outages, we welcome a revisioned and revamped return to "ground-to-sky". The tree trimming of the primary power lines have been long undermaintained. And remedial removal of dangerous, overhanging limbs is way overdue. Charlton Burch Bloomfield Township
Pure incompetence I know there is a very tardy enhanced review of the Prudential relationship now that the effect of very low interest rates is having on the financial viability of the defined benefit plan (for Bloomfield Township). There are a whole range of other questions that should be posed to the treasurer regarding his historical inability to monitor the Prudential relationship and why the unilateral declaration of the investment return by Prudential should come as a shock in light of the current interest rate environment. Anybody with even a fleeting understanding of insurance company general accounts and/or stable value funds should have understood that low interest rates would ultimately impact Bloomfield Township. To be surprised and outraged is evidence of pure incompetence. The treasurer should have understood that as a public health entity Prudential is in the business of making money and in the case of Bloomfield Township – Prudential has made a lot of money. While Prudential disclosed an annual fee that appears reasonable – they did not and won't disclose the actual rate of return on the investment account backing the contractual obligation. It is well known that the declared rate and the actual rate of return are two different numbers and the difference is usually the profit margin of Prudential. A fair estimate is 1.5 percent of the assets involved. The Prudential contract is archaic, unilateral and almost punitive in light of modern pension arrangements. I am certain the treasurer was told this many times over his tenure, but somehow the issue never seemed to be addressed. Now that the arrangement imperils the stability of the defined-benefit plan and perhaps downtownpublications.com
Bloomfield Township, the treasurer now seems energized to fulfill his advocacy and information obligations to the trustees and most importantly the taxpayers. For the sake of taxpayers, the treasurer should have started asking very tough questions 15 years ago. But status quo was easier and the cozy Prudential relationship was the path of least resistance. Corporate defined benefit plans left these kind of contracts 30 years ago. You'd think the treasurer should have noticed. So while the trustees grapple with this "no good solution" problem there is one question that the trustees must ask Prudential immediately. The Society of Actuaries has recently published an update mortality table (RP-2014) that most private sector defined benefit plans will adopt in 2016. Depending on plan demographics, it is expected that this table will increase costs by 8 percent due to longer life expectancies. You can ask Prudential, or if you bid the actuarial consulting you may want to ask the potential successor actuarial firm about the implementation plans regarding RP-2014. This could be another piece of bad news. By the way, this issue has been in the making for 3-4 years and, if you are hearing this for the first time, I would wonder what your treasurer was doing? Joe Moynihan Bloomfield Township
Fresh ideas each issue I am tardy with praise for your December issue, but as usual thought it was great, especially the article about lobbyists. I am a very creative guy, but you amaze me with the fresh ideas you constantly come up with to keep your readers glued to the pages of Downtown. Have a great 2015. Jim Olson Birmingham
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Informative publication Just a quick word to acknowledge what a good job I think you are doing with this publication. I look forward to receiving it – informative, timely, willing to touch on sensitive issues, never written with an agenda or bias that I can detect. I often consider how much thought went into an article to give the reader all sides of an issue. I get the advertising side of the publication in terms of the business plan, but there is value to all of us in the area as a result of your effort. Thanks. Larry Grady Bloomfield Township DOWNTOWN
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Sprawling Bloomfield home on park-like setting of 1.25 acres. Bright kitchen w/ granite & spacious eat-in area, finished lower level and private library. Beautiful private back yard w/ deck & lawn.
Chelsea Park Colonial with elegant approach and two story foyer. Open floor plan with access to new deck and private yard. Formal dining room and living room for entertaining.
Adjacent to Walnut Lake with beach access. This home has it all including large private lot, newer kitchen and baths, second floor laundry and Birmingham schools.
Centrally located Rochester Hills home on quiet corner lot. Large family room, kitchen w/ plenty of counter space & eat in area with door wall leading to sparkling heated pool.
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CRIME LOCATOR
NORTH
Map key
Sexual assault
Assault
Murder
Robbery
Breaking/entering
Larceny
Larceny from vehicle
Vehicle theft
Vandalism
Drug offenses
Arson
These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through January 16th, 2015. Placement of codes is approximate.
ABSOLVING THOSE WHO AREN’T GUILTY HOW THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS BY LISA BRODY
onya Davis knew he was innocent of rape, carjacking, armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Yet, he was still convicted in 2007 of those charges, serving almost seven years in prison before being exonerated of all charges after DNA testing of biological evidence showed that he couldn’t possibly have been the one to have raped the victim, who had lied and originally identified him as her rapist. On November 6, 2014, the Detroit man was fully exonerated with the help of the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, when the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office acknowledged Davis could not have been the individual who committed the crime. It’s assumed, even acknowledged, that everyone sent to prison after being convicted of a crime is guilty and deserves to be incarcerated. At times, however, the justice system makes errors and an individual is convicted of a crime they haven’t committed. In the 1994 movie “Shawshank Redemption”, set in a Maine prison in the 1940s, a character says wryly, “Everybody’s innocent in here. Didn’t you know that?” In actuality, some really are. Misidentification, witness errors, attorney mistakes, faulty forensics and/or a lack of evidence are just some of the reasons that innocent people can be found guilty for crimes they didn’t do. Some buck up and do their time; others strive to get out and clear their name. Often, they reach out to the Innocence Project, a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the justice system to prevent future injustice. As of January 9, 2015, 325 people nationwide have been exonerated post-conviction through DNA acquittals by various Innocence Projects around the country. Of that number, 20 had been sentenced to death before DNA testing proved their innocence and led to their release; 70 percent of those exonerated by DNA testing were people of color; and in almost 50 percent of these cases, the actual perpetrator was able to be identified by the DNA testing. Of those exonerated, they had served average sentences of 13.6 years.
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“These stories are becoming more familiar as more innocent people gain their freedom through post-conviction testing,” the Innocence Project website states. The Innocence Project itself was involved in about 175 of those 325 DNA exonerated cases. Other innocent individuals were helped by Innocence Network organizations, private attorneys and by defendants working on their own behalf. Exonerations have been achieved in 38 states, including Michigan, and in Washington D.C. ccording to the Innocence Project, while no one will ever know for sure how many innocent people are in prison, the few studies that have been done estimate that between 2.3 percent and 5 percent of all prisoners in the United States are innocent, meaning in real numbers between 46,000 and 100,000 incarcerated prisoners could be innocent and unjustly imprisoned. It also means the actual perpetrators are on the loose. The national Innocence Project is affiliated with the Benjamin Cardoza School of Law at Yeshiva University; in Michigan, its affiliation is with Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University. Its director, Marla Mitchell-Cichon, said they have screened over 5,000 cases since 2001. Out of all of those cases, they have fully exonerated just three defendants – two in Macomb County, and one in Detroit – Donya Davis. All three of the exonerated defendants were rape cases, and each was exonerated through DNA testing. “In all three cases, there were items from the rape cases that were retested, and the results have indicated that someone besides our client was the perpetrator,” Mitchell-Cichon said. “It’s a very, very long process to prove because we don’t have access to the evidence. We have to use the Freedom of Information Act to get us pieces of paper and the actual data from the original cases. Sometimes we can call the property rooms of police departments.” According to the Innocence Project website, many wrongful convictions overturned with DNA testing involve multiple causes. Fully 75 percent involve eyewitness misidentification; in 50 percent of the cases, improper or invalid forensic science played a role; a false confession or admission contribute to 25 percent of wrongful convictions; in another 15 percent of cases, unreliable informants played a role. “Prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective defense, police misconduct and racism are harder to quantify but were also factors in many wrongful convictions that have been overturned with DNA testing,” they state. Only 5 to 10 percent of all criminal cases in the United States involve biological evidence. The remaining wrongful convictions are due to many of these other conditions. All of the work on cases that they do take is handled by Cooley Law School students on a pro bono basis. Each semester, the Innocence Project takes on 8 to 10 students, each of whom spends two semesters on the project. They all must be second or third year law students, and each student is assigned six to eight cases at various levels of appeals. “We have people writing to us weekly. The cases go through different screening processes. At any time, we have 35 to 40 cases waiting to be assigned to a student,” Mitchell-Cichon said. A participating student must have already completed 40 credits of law school, and understand that they will be handling actual cases and working with actual clients. “We do not expect them to say ‘I have a midterm this week.’ We’re training them to be professionals in law firms,” said Mitchell-Cichon. Kara Weisman and Stephanie Hale are currently Cooley Innocence Project interns who work under Mitchell-Cichon and staff attorney Sandy Babel for about a year. “I like to tell students that our project is the checks and balances of the criminal justice system,” said Babel. “It’s what we look for. If DNA testing confirms the case (that the defendant is guilty), we close the case.” “It’s been one of the most rewarding things of my life,” said Weisman, a third year law student who, among her five active cases, worked on
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Davis’ appeal, writing his petition. “I have been able to sit from the beginning to the end of someone being exonerated. I was in court when he was exonerated. I sat in on the motion, and when he was released it was an amazing day for our program. We knew he was innocent.” Harris is a second year student in her second term with the project. She has three active cases, and said that it’s a passion project. “Depending on the week, I spend 10 hours on it; other weeks, well upwards of 15 or 20 hours (on Innocence Project work). That is in addition to course work and the hours we have for our course work.” For anyone working on one of the appeals, “The critical question that must be answered is whether the evidence still exists,” Mitchell-Cichon said. “If the evidence doesn’t exist, we can’t take the case,” because if there is no evidence to test for DNA matching, there is nothing to move forward on. “Then we have to determine if the case meets the statutory criteria to ask the court to request DNA testing. “It’s our burden in court to show the state that the evidence still exists, and sometimes several agencies are involved. The biological evidence can be sent to several places for storage if it still exists, and we have to track it all down and prove it still exists,” she explained. To complicate their work, a number of police departments no longer exist, either having been merged or taken over by other departments. The Michigan State Police Crime Lab usually performs, and pays for, the biological testing, although Cooley’s Innocence Project or a prosecutor’s office may at times choose a private lab or pay for the testing. “It’s not that they’re not cooperating. It’s just difficult for these agencies to determine if the evidence still even exists. It literally can take years to find out if documents or evidence exists,” she said. “Agencies are as cooperative as they can be when you’re going back and looking for old crime evidence. But it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many factors that can effect the evidence itself, and whether it’s in good shape or degraded.” The Innocence Project never just goes by the word of a defendant, noting that they can lie, but works to resolve all doubt in favor of the defendant before they go forward to the court and prosecutors. “Currently, we have had a high success rate gaining access to DNA testing. We’ve filed about 21 permits for DNA testing and have only been denied a couple of times,” Mitchell-Cichon said, asserting that their success is due to their thoroughness in accepting their cases and in their research. One case they have been denied repeatedly in getting DNA testing is from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office in The People of the State of Michigan vs. Gilbert Lee Poole, Jr., a Pontiac man convicted in 1989 of murdering a man he met in a Pontiac bar on June 3, 1988. The Innocence Project is seeking DNA testing for the potential to exclude Poole as the murderer. “There is the potential for DNA testing to exclude. It’s about conviction and integrity of the evidence,” Mitchell-Cichon said. “If the DNA testing shows Poole is involved, we close the case.” The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has denied their motions, and so have the courts, including the Michigan Supreme Court. “By my count, there have been 10 different times that the court has been asked, considered and denied the request to retest the blood,” said Paul Walton, chief assistant prosecutor at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. “Just because DNA testing is available does not always show the killer. It’s a piece of the puzzle. On it’s own, it can mean nothing or everything. What was tested? How was it tested? You have to use it with all of the other facts of the case.” In the Poole case, blood evidence in the original case excluded Poole, yet he was still convicted based on other evidence and witness testimony, including that of his girlfriend to whom he allegedly confessed. At the time, DNA testing was not yet available, so the crime lab used blood type testing to show whether Poole’s blood was at the site. The victim had type-O blood; Poole has type-AB blood. There was a great deal of type-O blood at the crime scene, as well as some type-A blood. Walton explained that often, at a crime scene, the assailant’s blood
Let freedom ring for Davis By Lisa Brody
Donya Davis believes he was wrongfully convicted in 2007 of rape, carjacking and gun possession as a felon “because of neighborhood rumors. I didn’t know the guy who did it. It was more of an affiliation. Anybody they could get in the neighborhood at the time.” Davis was asleep at home at 8 Mile and Mound in Detroit with his fiancee, son and mother at 5 a.m., April 1, 2006, when a 23year-old black woman was confronted by a black man as she was moving boxes from her fire-damaged apartment. According to reports, the man ordered her into the apartment at gunpoint after demanding her car, purse and money. She said she gave him her keys, but said she didn’t have any money. He supposedly spoke to someone else outside and then led her into the kitchen where he raped her. He then locked her in a basement pantry. After he left, she broke out and called the police. She told police her attacker had a dark complexion, was 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, with closecropped hair. She couldn’t remember if he had facial hair. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, six days later a woman called police and implicated Davis in the crime. He had previously been charged with felonious assault and had been acquitted of a charge Donya Davis (center) with Marla Mitchell-Cichon and Cooley Innocence Project students. of sexual assault. His photo was put into a lineup, and the victim identified Davis as her attacker, even though Davis is 6 feet 1 inch tall, of medium complexion, had a short Afro and a thin mustache. Although DNA tests were performed on a rape kit and semen was identified, no DNA profile, other than from the victim, was identified, and Davis was charged and went to trial in March 2007. The victim identified him as the rapist. Witnesses testified that he was at home sleeping at the time of the crime. A mistrial was declared when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Davis went to trial a second time in October 2007 before Judge Leonard Thompson for a directed verdict, and on October 11, 2007, Thompson convicted him of rape, armed robbery, carjacking and use of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. “Anyone who knows the law says don’t take a bench trial, especially not before Leonard Townsend. He’s a hanging judge,” Davis said recently. “The prosecutors probably laughed when I took a bench trial. I took it, though, because of ignorance of the law and trust of my lawyer.” Davis said Townsend discarded the DNA evidence “because the victim said it was me. I did seven years, the majority at Coldwater (Lakeland Men’s Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan). I’ve spent time in solitary. Prison is like a jungle from beginning to end. It’s not someplace you want to go.” Davis said he immediately tried to get his conviction overturned, yet appeal after appeal was denied. “They were just rubber stamped. They never looked at them or granted them,” he recounted. “I filed them myself. I did my own legal work. The judges would never entertain looking at them. I have the paperwork.” Finally, Davis appealed to the Cooley Law School Innocence Project.
isn’t right there, or can be swamped by a great deal of the victim’s blood if the victim has bled a lot. Contamination or degradation from the soil, which can have numerous parasites in it, can take place, especially if the body is in a certain place for a while. It is possible that may have happened in the Poole case, as the victim’s body was not found for a couple of days, and was discovered in a field. There are also different kinds of DNA testing. DNA is like someone’s chemical fingerprint. But while we each have a singular fingerprint, it turns out there are different kinds of DNA, and depending on the sample, different results can be discerned. Shorter strands of DNA – called STR, or short tandem repeat – is wellpopulated in the human genome, is unique to each individual and can be tested from extremely small samples. Today, Michigan State Police’s Crime Lab is able to test STR DNA when available. Another type of testing is called YSTR, which tests the Y chromosome, sharing a father’s DNA, but the test is not as discriminating. Neither is mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) testing, which is present in hair follicles without the root attached. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother, and is also less discriminating. Walton pointed out that if only YSTR or mDNA testing is done, it doesn’t always show who the killer is, because it could indicate a son, father, or a daughter, sister, mother, or another familial relative. “To what end (would DNA testing assist Poole’s innocence)? He’s already been introduced and excluded. The jury knew the blood wasn’t his and they still convicted him. He isn’t going to be more excluded,” asserted Walton. “The defendant has the burden of showing before he can get a new trial.” With DNA testing, Walton said, “You are not going to get a false positive. You can get a false exclusion, if it can swamp other DNA samples, and then other DNA is falsely excluded. Just because there is a DNA sample does not necessarily exclude, or identify, someone.” he defendant (and his or her attorneys), according to Michigan law, have the burden of proving the validity of new trial. The Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 770.16 deals with DNA testing, petitions, filing, the availability of biological material, court orders, findings, costs, results, granting or denying request for a new trial, the notice to petition the victim, and the preservation of biological material. It permits a defendant convicted of a felony at trial before January 8, 2001 who is serving a prison sentence to petition the circuit court to order DNA testing of biological material identified during the investigation leading to his or her conviction, and for a new trial based on the results of that testing, and it must be filed no later than January 1, 2016. A bill is pending to extend it to 2018. There are certain conditions. They include that the evidence sought to be tested is material to the issue of the convicted person’s identity as the perpetrator or accomplice to the crime that resulted in the conviction. It must establish by clear and convincing evidence that the biological evidence had not previously been subjected to DNA testing, or DNA testing was not available when the defendant was convicted. Further, the identity of the perpetrator of the crime must have been at issue during the trial. According to the statute, if the results of the DNA testing show that the defendant is not the source of the identified biological material, the court shall hold a hearing to determine by clear and convincing evidence that only the perpetrator of the crime or crimes for which the defendant was convicted could be the source of the identified biological material; that the material was collected, handled and preserved by procedures that allow the court to find that the material is not contaminated nor degraded; that the defendant’s purported exclusion as the source of the material, balanced against the other evidence in the case, is sufficient to justify the granting of a new trial. The statute provides the prosecutor with the authority to order the retesting of the identified biological material and staying the defendant’s motion for a new trial, depending upon the results of the DNA retesting. All law enforcement agencies are required by the statute to preserve any and all biological material identified during the investigation of a crime for which anyone may file a petition for DNA testing, and it has to be preserved for the entire time the person is incarcerated in connection with the case. “We have asked all 45 law enforcement departments in Oakland County to
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preserve all evidence and samples,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper. “The DNA is extremely important, but it is a piece. Our role is justice. We’re the first to say ‘Let’s test this.’ When we go into a courtroom, we’re looking at witnesses, interviews, evidence, everything. We’re duty-bound to show everything. The standard in a criminal case is beyond a reasonable doubt, and that’s very hard in a jury trial.” “I’m not going to rest until Mr. Poole’s DNA is tested,” Mitchell-Cichon said. “He may be guilty. But I want the truth to come out. It’s been 25 years.” While Mitchell-Cichon is frustrated with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Cooper and Walton are proud that they have not yet had any reversals on appeal due to Innocence Projects. They noted they have had other project requests, including from the University of Michigan Law School Innocence Clinic. The Michigan Innocence Clinic works to exonerate defendants using non-DNA testing methods. Imran Syed, staff attorney and teaching fellow for the clinic, said their goal is to investigate, write and argue in court in defense of innocent prisoners. “The challenge in our clinic is doing non-DNA cases,” he said. “There are no magic bullets. We research multiple angles of a case. In DNA cases, there’s the DNA. In our cases, we look at many different angles, including the science and various documents to build our cases. We examine eyewitnesses who were found, or people who lied at trial initially, or attorney malpractice.” Syed said they are the first clinic in the country to focus on non-DNA cases. “Michigan already had an Innocence Project out of Cooley. We wanted to help exonerate other people without DNA,” he said. “Only in 5 to 10 percent of the cases does someone leave DNA. There are arson cases, bank robberies, B & E’s (breaking and entering). We wanted to serve the 90 percent that weren’t being served. If the police has some DNA, it’s really obvious.” In the first few months after they opened in 2009, they were inundated with thousands of applications. Now, they receive a few hundred a year, all from inmates housed in Michigan, although some could be in federal prisons. Initially, they accepted about 30 cases after reviewing 4,000 applications. The Innocence Clinic has about 120 open investigations at any time, Syed said, with 15 to 20 active cases at some level in court. “They could be at the lower court, at appeals court, or the Supreme Court,” he said. “We have cases at all levels in Michigan or federal courts. They are all over the place.” In its over five-year history, the Innocence Clinic has helped exonerate nine wrongfully convicted prisoners, some in conjunction with Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. “We have not lost any cases completely,” Syed said. “Some are on appeal, because we are so careful about the cases we choose.” As at Cooley, 16 second and third year law students each year are the primary ones responsible for researching the cases, “contacting the applicant, interviewing them in prison, getting in touch with new and old witnesses, attorneys, and determining expert witnesses,” Syed explained. Three supervisors work with the students, meeting with them weekly. “We’re always in touch with our student teams,” he said. Rather than simply relying on one diagnostic tool, the Michigan Innocence Clinic’s cases become very complex. “For cases in court that are actively litigated, we may call 20 witnesses,” Syed said. “We may split the case up among the students. The attorneys are always in it because the students can only work in court under our supervision. In Michigan, after one year in law school, students can work in court with supervision. Most other states need two years of law school. The students do the foot work, and have the opportunity to do the active work of writing briefs, which we edit. It teaches the challenges of the legal system, how to investigate and build up your own cases, and how to strategize. It’s an intense situation.” Syed noted that the vast majority of those applying for assistance from the Michigan Innocence Clinic are African American. “They are the vast majority we work with, where the system is flawed,” he said. “Race and poverty often do play a large role because of the competency and interest of the attorney (assigned to the defendant) and the system. There’s no public defender in Wayne or Oakland County. Usually in court they’re appointed a defense attorney. Some are good, but often they’re not. They’re appointed by the judge, they’re not paid very much, and often they’re Scan for audio more interested in pleasing the judge than working for the Innocence Project Interview. client.”
“I wrote to Marla (Mitchell-Cichon, director) and begged for help. She denied me at first because I didn’t meet the statute requirement. And then the statute changed in 2010, and she took me up. The original statute was only meant for prisoners before 2001. It changed so she took me up,” he said. “I felt it was a joy to have someone listen to me.” The first hurdle, Davis recalled, was finding evidence and finding evidence that wasn’t contaminated. Once it was found, they had to get permission to have it tested for DNA. “Once we got it tested, we found the sperm cells of who did it, and it didn’t match me,” he said. Turns out there had been cells from the woman’s thighs that had not been introduced at trial. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office dropped the case – declining to prosecute Davis again by putting him on trial for a third time – on November 6, 2014 after Innocence Project students filed a motion to dismiss. Today, Davis is homeless and penniless. The conundrum of being exonerated in the state of Michigan is that Davis, and others who are exonerated, receive no compensation from the state, no prisoner benefits and no help getting a job. It’s because their slate is wiped clean, and it’s as if their case never existed. “I got no compensation, no help in finding a job,” he said. “I didn’t qualify for prisoner benefits, clothing vouchers, nothing that prisoners get when they’re released. Before, I worked for my grandfather as a garage tech, working on cars. But he passed while I was in prison. I came back to nothing. My fiancée held on as long as possible, but she’s gone... Everything is just upside down. I was just tossed out.” Davis’ experience is unlike Jeff Deskovic’s of Manhattan, who was exonerated eight years ago, who was wrongfully convicted in 1991, at the age of 17, of murder and rape. Although there was a negative DNA identification at trial, he was still found guilty due to a coerced forced confession. “I was 16 and naïve,” Deskovic recounted. “I made up a story based on information cops gave me. I was on the floor in a fetal position crying. When the DNA didn’t match, they should have dropped the case. Instead, the prosecutor solicited fraud from the medical examiner. My public defender never called an alibi witness, and never explained to the jury the significance of the DNA not matching. He never cross-examined the medical examiner. I ended up serving 16 years of a 50 – life sentence.” Deskovic lost seven appeals and was turned down for parole before the Innocence Project in Manhattan took his case. “Based on the DNA, the prosecutor’s successor permitted the DNA to be tested,” he said. “We were hoping the actual perpetrator had raped and murdered someone else, and his DNA was in the system, and that is what happened. He killed another victim three-and-a-half years later, and had been caught, and that’s how his DNA was in the databank.” In New York, exonerated victims can sue for compensation, and Deskovic received several million dollars, of which he has used $1.5 million to develop The Deskovic Foundation, which works on both DNA and non-DNA cases to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, and for those exonerated, helps to reintegrate after years of wrongful imprisonment, and educates the public on wrongful convictions. He also received a scholarship which allowed him to attend college, where he received both his bachelors and masters degrees. “Someone has to watch the watcher,” Davis said. I’m not the only one.” The Innocence Project, he said, “give you hope first. They can’t promise you anything. Without a lawyer, you mean nothing. They Scan for audio were a godsend. They gave me my freedom Donya Davis back. No one could give me my life back.” Interview.
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Katharine Zarella agazine editor Katharine Zarella never believed she would make a living writing about the latest fashion trends, but her penchant for style and her flair for writing have taken her to some unexpected locations. “When I was at Cranbrook, I took a creative writing class and thought how hysterical it would be if I made a living off writing,” Zarella, a Cranbrook Kingswood grad, said from her office at V Magazine. “Never would I have thought I could do it as a career.” As a senior editor at the New York-based fashion magazine, Zarella oversees the entire production of V Magazine and its offshoot, VMAN magazine. While both magazines highlight trends in fashion, film, music and art, VMAN features men’s clothing. “V Magazine is one of the first magazines I read when I started getting excited about fashion,” Zarella said. “It’s a little avant garde. We champion everything from forward thinking fashion designers and pop stars. It’s sort of a mixed bag of everything I love.” If it was Cranbrook that inspired Zarella to write, it was her late mother that influenced her fashion sense. “She was an incredibly elegant woman, and I wear most of her clothes to this day. All of my favorite things, I stole from her closet,” Zarella said. “At college, I studied art and literature, and I started to understand fashion not just as garments, but as an expression. Designers are artists in their own way.” It was at Colgate College that Zarella wrote her first fashion column. The story was a satirical piece about “the preppy experience.” It was, perhaps,
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the first hint that Zarella’s initial thought of writing about fashion for a living wasn’t just a far-fetched pipe dream. During college, she interned at W Magazine, and it wasn’t long after that she set her mind on fashion writing. Zarella did some freelance writing before attended graduate school at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, where she earned an MA in fashion and fashion journalism. She later worked for Style.com and other publications before going to V Magazine in September 2014. “I was at Style.com for a long time – about five years,” she said. “I was the news editor there for a couple of years. V Magazine approached me, and it seemed like the right fit. I was doing news at Style, but I missed the print magazine, so I decided to take the plunge.” “I am kind of flying by the heels of my feet,” she said. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate thus far. I see myself being here for a while, but I would like to write a book and curate a fashion exhibition myself.” As for the Detroit area, Zarella said she hasn’t been back to Bloomfield Hills since graduating from high school in 2004, although she said there are friends would like to see again. In the meantime, she said she continues to work and enjoy the fashion industry, including her trademark black bonnet hat she received after a recent story “I wear all black all the time, so I guess it’s a little dark, but it makes me very happy,” Zarella said of her own fashion. “I wear a hat everyday. A lot of people think I’m bald, but I’m not.” Story: Kevin Elliott
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SAFE TO EAT RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS IN METRO DETROIT
BY KEVIN ELLIOTT
Nowadays, everybody is a food critic. From the local drive thru to metro Detroit’s finest five-star establishments, websites such as yelp.com and urbanspoon.com allow anyone with an Internet connection to critique one of the more than 10,000 restaurants in the tri-county area, regardless of their palate or knowledge of food and food preparation. Ultimately, the most important reviews for a restaurant are often the ones conducted by the local health department. Anthony Drautz, administrator for Oakland County’s Health Division, said that while the department sometimes receives reports from restaurant patrons of food-related sickness, the number of actual confirmed food-borne illness cases is actually far less than people tend to believe.
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“A lot of people call when they get sick, and we screen them. But a lot of people don’t even remember what they ate 48 hours ago, or they have their mind made up of what they ate that made them sick,” Drautz said. “Sometimes they will call an hour after eating something, but there is an incubation process, and they probably didn’t get sick there.” In most cases, he said, food-borne illnesses require an incubation period to effect a person and make them ill. “They have to give us a 72-hour history of what they ate so we can investigate all of the facilities,” he said. “In many cases, it’s not the last place you ate.” nder Michigan’s Food Law, restaurant inspections must be conducted by local health departments. Fixed restaurants that operate on a yearround basis are required by law to be inspected twice a year. Other food establishments, such as mobile food vendors and temporary popup style restaurants may be inspected less. As the entity in Oakland County responsible for restaurant inspections, Drautz said the health division conducts between 17,000 and 18,000 inspections each year. That includes bi-annual restaurant inspections of fixed restaurants; followup inspections; mobile food sellers; vending machines; Special Transitory Food Units (STFU), or temporary food establishments licensed to operate throughout the state; and other temporary food establishments. During an inspection, restaurants may be given violations for different levels of safety concerns. Violations aren’t uncommon. In fact, almost every restaurant has had a violation at some point during its history and owners work to resolve them as quickly as possible, according to the Michigan Restaurant Association. “When we conduct an inspection, what we are mainly looking for are those times that are directly linked to food borne illnesses. Although we look at everything, a large focus of our inspections are preventing food borne illness,” said Michelle Estell, public health sanitarian supervisor with the Oakland County Health Division, who supervises the county’s 35 inspectors, or sanitarians. “Other things we look at are based on the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s) five risk factors. For example, poor personal hygiene; foods that are cooked to the wrong temperatures; foods that are held at the wrong temperature; contaminated food surfaces; as well as the food source itself, making sure that it comes in safely and comes from a source that is approved. There are many questions we ask the operator to determine, such as how things come into their facility, how things move through the facility and how things are prepared, based on our visual inspection. And, we are taking temperatures and doing a visual check of things. “We also look at the physical facility to make sure that it’s in good condition and clean. We look at a number of plumbing things in a facility that are related to how things should operate, as well as food handling practices.” Violations cited during inspections fall under
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three categories, including core violations, priority foundation violations and priority violations. Core violations, generally, are those that relate to the physical facility, such as the floors, walls and ceilings. They may also refer to violations that, left uncorrected, could contribute to food borne illness, such as an employee failing to wear a hat or hair net where required. Under the state’s food law, restaurants have up to 90 days to correct core violations. Priority violations are mainly those that directly cause food borne illness, and are considered the most critical violations. An example of a priority violation would include a staff person failing to wash their hands. Priority violations must be corrected with the health inspector present, if possible. Priority foundation violations support or enable a priority violation. An example would be if a restaurant fails to provide soap at the employee hand washing station. Under state law, restaurants have 10 days to correct priority and priority foundation violations. However, food sanitarians have 30 days to conduct a follow-up inspection. The three categories of violations were changed in October of 2012, when changes to Michigan’s Food Code went into effect. Prior to the changes, violations were categorize as “critical” and “non-critical” violations. Justin Winslow, vice president of governmental affairs for the Michigan Restaurant Association, said the association supported the changes to violation categories, which are essentially in name only. “We were really working on the language change from the two-tiered system to the new three-tiered,” he said. “When so much reputation is at play, just using the term ‘critical,’ when it had such a large range that fit into that term – there were some things that fit into that which didn’t present an eminent threat. Maybe they didn’t have an adequate amount of paper towel in the bathroom. The change made sense not just in the vernacular, but also in a real sense of what needs to be done and addressed.” hile it’s common for restaurants to receive violations during an inspection, the majority of violations haven’t resulted from food borne illnesses. In some cases, a staff member may not be aware that they are doing something that is a violation of the food code. In order to better educate staff, restaurants are now required to employ food service managers – a requirement that was implemented statewide in 2012, but has been required in Oakland County since 1999. Oakland County offers a basic food service class, as well as a certified food service manager course. While the frequency of specific violations vary from county to county, the most frequently cited violations typically include those involving hot and cold holding of food, failure to label foods with a proper date and plumbing system violations. Amy Aumock of the Livingston County Health Department said the most common violations in
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2014 included: hot holding of food less than 135 degrees or cold holding higher than 41 degrees (priority violation); not having paper towels at hand sinks (priority foundation violation); potentially hazardous food held longer than 24 hours and not dated or that has expired (priority foundation); food stored uncovered or less than 6inches off the floor (core violation); light bulbs in food prep or storage area without proper shields or not shatterproof (core violation); hand washing sinks without sinks reminding employees to wash their hands (core); refrigerated or hot food storage units without ambient air thermometers (core); a plumbing system not repaired according to law or not maintained or in good repair (core or priority, depending on violation); working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners taken from bulk supplies not labeled with the common name of the material (priority foundation). Additionally, she said priority violations involving cross contamination of food or failing to wash surfaces in contact with potentially hazardous foods have significantly increased. Other common violations may include smoking, drinking or eating around food contact surfaces, or storing personal food in an area that may come in contact with service food. “We don’t license their personal food items, and we don’t inspect their personal food items, so it should be kept away from other foods,” Estell of Oakland County said. “It’s not that they can’t drink something at work, it’s that they need to do it safely. For example, they need to drink from a covered cup, usually a cup with a lid and a straw, and that needs to be stored safely. It needs to be beneath or separate from all food service items in a single serve cup so that it doesn’t contaminate the items that are going to the consumer.” Additional changes to the state’s food code include removing undercooked ground meat (e.g. hamburgers) from a children’s menu; requiring mechanically tenderized meat to be cooked to 155-degrees for 15 seconds. “There have been a few changes and updates, and we incorporate those into our program,” Oakland County’s Estell said. “For instance, when looking at par cooking, in the past they were required to cook them a second time to 165 degrees, and they changed that. They can only cook for 60 minutes and it has to be cooled, then it can be reheated to the appropriate temperature for that product. That gives a better product.” Winslow said most changes to the state’s food law, which is based on federal law, are made when there are changes at the federal level, which is revised every four years. The most significant changes, he said, were made at the federal level in 2009, which resulted in the 2012 changes at the state level. Revisions to the federal food law in 2013, he said, were far less dramatic. “Food allergens is an increasing issue for a lot of people,” he said, referencing what changes may come in the future. “A lot of restaurants are inspected by local health departments, usually the county. But in less populated areas, they span over several counties. There is a large variety on how locals go about doing inspections, so if you’re
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a multi-unit operator, you’re not necessarily viewed the same by each department. It would be nice to have one single regulator out there.” Despite some difference in operations, local health departments must still base their inspection reports on state food code. Restaurant inspections conducted in Oakland County are available to the public by request, while many other departments provide report findings through online databases that are available to the public. akland County spokesman Bill Mullan said the county doesn’t provide restaurant inspections online, as doing so may have the potential to damage an establishment’s reputation and business if the public doesn’t fully understand the report and the violations – a concern echoed by the state restaurant association. “It’s important to remember that accessing restaurant inspection reports isn’t new – the information was always available to the public,” the Michigan Restaurant Association said. “Now that they are posted online, it’s simply easier to access. Just like with any new information you can find quickly and easily online, it’s critical that one understands exactly what information is provided in a restaurant inspection report before making judgements regarding the establishment. “It’s also important to remember that restaurant operators take food safety very seriously. Restaurateurs are, more often than not, in the hospitality industry because it’s their passion. They know that people live their lives in restaurants – birthdays, anniversaries, and so many other life events are celebrated in restaurants. They want their customers to feel safe eating in their establishments. It’s very personal to them.” It also is worth noting that providing inspection reports online in Oakland County would likely be a time-consuming process, as the county’s health division conducts more inspections than any other local department in the state, as well as the most number of fixed restaurants. Drautz said the department has a total of 35 food sanitarians that are assigned to the program who conduct inspections throughout the year. There are about 4,703 food service licenses currently issued in the county for fixed restaurants. “The majority of the fixed food establishments are inspected semi-annually, or twice a year,” he said. “You could have somebody that is less frequent because they are seasonal, or it could be more frequent because of follow-up inspections or inspection problems if it’s a problem facility. That’s why you get up to 18,000 inspections. “We are very busy, but we have a very good staff. There is no backlog – that’s a requirement – that we get our inspections done on a frequency. We can’t be more than 30 days past due. We have contractual obligations and minimum program requirements with the (Michigan) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and we need to meet those. Some of that is tied to funding and our accreditation. We have been successful so far.”
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Winslow at the Michigan Restaurant Association also praised Oakland County’s food program. “Oakland County has a fantastic local health department,” said Winslow. “They are efficient and fair. They usually try to build a relationship with the restaurant they are inspecting. If you aren’t doing something right, they let them know and what they need to do, and where they need to be. They are a model.” Sherry LaBelle, with the Macomb County Health Department, said the department has 15.5 full-time employees that conduct food service sanitation inspections as part of their job duties. She said staff conducted a total of 5,812 routine, follow-up and temporary food inspections in 2014 and the results are posted online. Wayne County’s health department, which conducts restaurant inspections for the entire county with the exception of those establishments located inside the city of Detroit, conducted 8,818 inspections in 2014. The department employs 15 full-time employees and oversees 3,398 fixed restaurant licenses. The county provides restaurant inspections online at www.swordsolutions.com. Aumock of Livingston County said they employ three food sanitarians, including herself. The department conducted 1,026 inspections in 2014. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Food and Dairy Division’s latest annual report, the number of inspections conducted at fixed food establishments by local health departments in 2013 totaled 8,569 – more than double that of Macomb County (4,299) and about 3,000 more than Wayne County (5,555, not including Detroit). Livingston County conducted 781 during the same period. Those figures don’t include the total number of food inspections conducted by each local health department, which also includes mobile food establishments, vending machines and Special Transitory Food Units, such as temporary pop-up restaurants and events. tatewide, Oakland County received about 13 percent of all food licenses, the most in the state, with Wayne (9 percent) and Macomb (8 percent) counties the second and third highest. Of the four southeast Michigan health departments, Oakland County was the only one that stated it had revoked any food service licenses in the past three years for local restaurants. Despite the license revocations, Drautz said the five establishments have either addressed the issues, changed ownership, or closed permanently. “A couple are no longer in business or have different owners,” he said. “The others are operating now, and we hate for that to damage their business in any way. “Our focus is on education. We do try to go in and educate and change the way the operation is managed, and change food safety practices well in advance of consideration of revocation of a license. When it gets to that point, there’s a
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history with repeat violations, often priority violations, and we felt they just couldn’t operate safely. Some of these may have changed ownership, or they have cleaned up. Some are out of business.” The restaurants that have had their license revoked due to violations in the past three years include: - Eddie’s Coney Island, 1749 Haggerty Road, in Commerce Township. The restaurant’s license was revoked in 2014 and has since been reinstated. The owner of the restaurant wasn’t available for comment. -Rumalee’s, at 30701 W. 12 Mile Road, in Farmington Hills. The restaurant had its license revoked by the health division in 2012, and has since closed. A posting on the restaurant’s Facebook page in November of 2012 stated that the establishment is undergoing “significant changes and will re-open under a new name soon.” In December 2013, the restaurant announced on Facebook that it would be closing. - Priya, at 3660 Grand River, in Farmington Hills. The restaurant has since closed and is under new ownership. -Zayeqa, Halal, Indo, Pak and Chinese Food, at 29208 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. The restaurant was re-opened in 2014 under new ownership. -Steven Lelli’s on the Green, at 27925 Golf Park Blvd., at the Copper Creek Golf Course in Farmington Hills. The restaurant’s license was revoked in 2014 and re-instated the same year. The owners of the restaurant weren’t able to be reached for comment. “We don’t want to put people out of business. We would like to educate them on their practices on how to do it right, and not to use that as a violation to shut them down,” Drautz said. “We want to make sure they are running a successful business and using good food safety practices. That’s the bottom line. Education is really key. We spend a lot of time in these facilities just to make sure people are educated and doing things safe.” Oakland County restaurant owner Chuck Darany of Big Boy of Madison Heights said the tough and demanding inspections are precisely what makes the county’s program successful. “I have owned a restaurant in Madison Heights for over 30 years. I keep it spotless. It keeps me employed,” Darany wrote in a letter dated September 17, 2014 to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “I had my semi-annual health department inspection yesterday and it was so tough and so demanding that I was truly proud. Every corner was inspected and every temperature was taken. The inspector was tough and professional. Just what I would want and expect from Oakland County. Thank you. “It has become a relationship we depend on with your health department. A partnership really. We can be the best we can be and our neighbors can feel safe. Thank you for that.”
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Jake Schreier ook up the word “sneakerhead” in the dictionary, and you could imagine seeing Jake Schreier’s picture. “I’ve had so many pairs that I didn’t wear, but probably the Air Jordan Royal 1,” the 16-year-old Bloomfield Hills High School student said of the favorite pair shoes that he owns. “I have had many that are $200 or less that I wear every day. I have about five or 10 pair of shoes, and over the past 10 years, over 1,000 pairs, easily.” For those who aren’t familiar with sneaker collecting, it may come as a surprise that sneaker enthusiasts have no problem plunking down anywhere from $100 to $5,000 for a pair of sneakers. With the collecting boom taking off with Michael Jordan’s career in the mid-1980s, today’s sneaker industry has grown into a multi-billion dollar business. It was that early passion for sneakers that led Schreier and a handful of friends to organize what has become the largest shoe event in the metroDetroit area in recent years, better known as the Michigan Sneaker XChange. It’s basically like a card show,” he said. “You have vendors and collectors that have tables, and then you have the attendees that come to buy, sell or trade.” Schreier said people had been asking for a sneaker event for a while, but were unable to pull things together and make it happen. Looking to lead a new initiative, Schreier banded together with a small group of others to make a new event possible. Started in 2013 with the help of his brother Max Schreier, and friends Adam Shapiro, Seth Blazofsky and Karan Desai, and later friend Juan Neal,
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the group set up the first Michigan Sneaker XChange event that spring. First held at Modern Skate Park in Royal Oak, the event has since grown from the 6,000-square-foot location to 45,000 square feet available at the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac. Now working on their sixth event on June 20, the Michigan Sneaker XChange draws about 1,000 people and more than 50 vendors from a dozen states. “What I heard is that they couldn’t find a venue to use,” Schreier said. “I thought, ‘how hard could it be to host a few hundred people and 50 tables?’” Only 14-years-old at the time, Schreier said many people involved with the original Sneaker Xchange were surprised when meeting him in-person for the first time, especially vendors. “I had friends do it,” he said about in-person meetings where paperwork had to be signed. “They were 17, so with the contracts, I couldn’t sign them.” When not organizing the event or attending class, Schreier works at Pogo in Birmingham, where he heads up the store’s graphic design and social media efforts. Schreier said he hopes to open his own business one day. Based on his success with the Sneaker XChange, it appears he may have found the perfect formula. “People like a nice looking venue, and having people there to help and direct them,” he said. “You have to invest a lot into it. It’s like any other business, you have to make sure everything is perfect. That’s what brings people back.” Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
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Bloomfield Hills | $3,100,000 Magnificent Arts and Crafts style rresidence esidence ideally situated on 1.5 acr acres es of beautifully landscaped private gr grounds ounds including a pool and tennis court. T Totally otally renovated renovated in 2007 and 2008, expert craftsmanship, superb design, and quality materials ar are e evident. Grand foyer with exceptional millwork leads to wonderful floor plan. Dramatic living rroom oom with expansive windows, banquet-sized dining rroom, oom, main floor theater rroom, oom, spectacular kitchen with spacious br breakfast eakfast rroom. oom. Pr Presented esented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826
Bloomfield V Village illage | $1,150,000 Sophisticated and elegant, this extraor extraordinary dinary rresidence esidence featur features es only the finest materials and finishes throughout throughout its 4586 squar square e feet of living space. Situated on beautifully landscaped private gr grounds ounds which include an expansive deck with per pergola gola and paver walkways and driveway driveway.. Recently expanded kitchen, family room, room, and master bedroom bedroom suite boast exceptional architectural architectural details and an abundance of natural light. Gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Presented Presented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826
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Bloomfield T Township ownsh | $2,150,000 ownship 7,000+ square square feet of pur pure e elegance. High end materials thr throughout oughout this fabulous masterpiece fr from om top to bottom. Hand chipped fond du lac stone, 5 bedrooms, bedrooms, 5.5 baths w/international imported marble. Porcelain, Porcelain, stone, granite, and Bisazza tile thr throughout oughout kitchen and baths. Hand-scrapped bamboo wood floors flow through through the first floor and master bedr bedroom. oom. m. Master of offers ffers fers a sitting ar area, ea, his and her closets and her bath w/stand-up shower and air jetted tub. Thr Three ee limestone fir fireplaces eplaces thr throughout oughout home. Presented Presented by: Stetson Jarbo (248) 686-3826
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Bloomfield T Township ownship | $1,590,000 Fabulous home in Bloomfield. Stunning marble-two story foyer with dramatic curved stair case staircase welcomes you into this custom built home. Floor to ceiling windows in gr great eat rroom, oom, har hardwood dwood floors oom, and judges-paneling thr throughout oughout gourmet kitchen, butler station, formal dining rroom, oom, living rroom, study that overlooks beautiful wooded-ser wooded-serene ene lot with abundant wildlife. Updated kitchen granite counters and Bosch appliances. Newly rremodeled emodeled upper level in 2013. All bedr bedrooms ooms ar are e en-suite. Pr Presented esented by: Roberta Bur Burgess gess Smith (248) 686-3826
Springfield T Township ownsh ownship | $1,350,000 Indulge yourself!! Gated acr acreage eage featur features es custom built lt Town Town & Country Contemporary log home-- the essence of warmth, comfort and efficiency efficiency.. Fr From om the moment you enter the wooded seclusion you know this is a home and pr property operty beyond duplication. Surr Surround ound yourself in luxury while enjoying the “up north� tranquility. 2 ponds on pr operty. Acr eage (21 acr tranquility. property. Acreage acres) es) can be developed per the township. Presented Presented by: Donna Bousson (248) 686-3826
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Birmingham | $1,050,000 in the heart of Quarton Lake and just steps Don’t miss this Don’t is very special of offering. ffering. Newer construction c away fr from om Quarton Elementary Elementary.. Fabulous, light-filled home is perfect for everyday family living and eakfast nook opens to a gener ous gracious entertaining. A true gourmet kitchen with an expansive br breakfast generous family rroom oom and a spectacular outdoor living ar area ea with an outdoor kitchen and built in fir fire e pit. This home of offers fers every amenity of newer construction while maintaining car careful eful attention to detail. Presented Pr esented by: Jennifer Zachary (248) 686-3826
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Birmingham | $899,000
Birmingham | $886,500
Charming 1930’ 1930’ss Connecticut colonial situated on a beautifully am’’ss finest ar acre Birmingham’s areas. landscaped .5 acr e lot in one of Birmingham’ eas. Extraordinary Extraordinary quality and vintage decorative elements. Pride of ownership.. Presented Presented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826
Elegant Poppleton Park T Tudor udor built in 1996. Beautifully landscaped gr grounds ounds include an expansive slate terrace, paver walkways, and Pewabic tile fountain. Dramatic two-story foyer with curved stair staircase. case. Presented Pr esented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826
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Birmingham | $584,900
Birmingham | $559,900
Bloomfield Village Village | $529,900
Don’t offering ffering in Poppleton Popple Don’t miss this fantastic of Park just blocks away from from downtown Birmingham. Beautifully updated. Presented Presented by: Jennifer Zachary (248) 686-3826
Striking rrenovated enovated home. Open floor plan. V Vaulted aulted gr great eat rroom. oom. Slate fir fireplace. eplace. Hi-tech kitchen, granite counters, slate floor floor.. Presented Barrett Pr esented by: Marty Barr ett (248) 686-3826
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Royal Oak | $499,900
Plymouth T Township owns ownship | $489,000
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Quality workmanship blocks fr from om downtown Royal Oak in this new construction home! Hardwood Har dwood floors. Gas fir fireplace eplace with surr surround. ound. Presented Pr esented by: John Farhat (248) 686-3826
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Bloomfield T Township ownshi ownship | $439,000
approximately 20 acr Metamora Country Estate on approximately acres es of rrolling olling fields & bedrooms. ooms. fence-lined paddocks. This charming country home includes 4 bedr 3 full & one half baths, gourmet kitchen & exquisite master suite. Presented by: Mark Marangon (248) 686-3826 Presented
residence with updates and custom featur Beautiful and pristine residence features es throughout. 4,035 square square feet of total living space on over 1/2 acr throughout. acre. e. Open concept eat-in kitchen. Private master suite with vaulted ceiling. Presented by: William William Brundage (248) 686-3826 Presented
Birmingham | $475,000
Gr Grosse osse Pointe Shor Shores es | $465,000
Commerce Commer ce Township Township | $449,500
Charming, updated 1925 T Tudor udor in lovely Birmingham neighborhood minutes fr om from downtown. Original har dwood flooring. hardwood Presented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826 Presented
Gr Great eat curb appeal in this spacious colonial w/3-car garage. Lar ge foyer w/open stair case. Large staircase. Finished lower level, full kitchen, wine cellar cellar.. Pr Presented esented by: Laila Abud (248) 686-3826
A uniquely styled home that sits on an outstanding front lot of nearly an acr e and a half. This water front acre hundred feet of fr ontage. beautiful lot has over a hundred frontage. Presented by: Robert E. Holcomb, Sr Presented Sr.. (248) 686-3826
Bloomfield eld Township Township | $395,000
Gr Grosse osse Pointe W Woods oods | $419,000
Bloomfield T Township ownship | $375,000
Updated colonial in Hickory Heights Sub. Stainless steel appliances in kitchen, rrecessed ecessed lighting, cherry cabinets, granite counters. Presented Presented by: Patricia Moran (248) 686-3826
Spectacular Dutch colonial situated on 1/3 acr acre e cul-de-sac lot. 3,296 squar square e feet, 4 bedr bedrooms, ooms, 2.5 baths, finished basement. Pr Presented esented by: Dori Daskas (248) 686-3826
Waterfront Waterfront property property with Birmingham Schools at this price point is amazing! Four bedrooms, bedrooms, 2.5 hardwood floors. Great Great value! baths, hardwood Erin O’Neill (248) 686-3826
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C Coldwell o l d w e ll B Banker anker W Weir eir M Manuel: anuel : Locally L o c a ll y O Owned w ned a and nd Operated Operated Since Since 1950. 195 0.
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Birmingham | $799,900
Birmingham | $740,000
Expanded and totally rrenovated enovated (2000) 2-story brick, prairie style home near Seaholm High School! 5 bedr bedrooms ooms including 2 master bedr bedroom oom suite options (one on 1st floor) and 4.5 baths. Custom kitchen w/island. Presented Presented by: Daniel T Teahan eahan (248) 686-3826 686-382
Charming Quarton Lake Estates rrenovated enovated Cape Cod. 4 bedroom, bedroom, 3 full & 1 half bath home w/gourmet island kitchen open to the family rroom oom which leads to the private yar yard d & deck. Formal living and dining rrooms. ooms. Presented Pr esented by: Daniel Teahan Te eahan (248) 686-3826
Troy Tr oy | $359,000
Birmingham | $349,900
Troy Troy | $339,777
Excellent opportunity to own this fully leased brick duplex with $30,600 gr gross oss annual income providing pr oviding excellent return return on investment. Presented Pr esented by: Jack Bertoia (248) 686-3826
W Wow! ow! That will be your rreaction eaction when you walk in and see this very cosmopolitan, smart, chic, rrenovated enovated Birmingham Bungalow Bungalow.. Pr Presented esented by: Barbara Draplin (248) 686-3826
Fabulous 3 bedroom bedroom plus loft den. Freshly Freshly painted and carpets cleaned. Granite kitchen, wood floors, first floor master suite. Presented Presented by: Stephen M. Cole (248) 686-3826
Beverly Hills | $335,000
Bloomfield T Township own ownship | $265,000
Farmington Hills | $315,000
T Traditional raditional colonial in Beverly Hills with Birmingham Schools. W Well ell car cared ed for 4 bedr bedroom oom 2.5 bath home w/side entry garage. Presented Presented by: Mary Frances McCaleb (248) 686-3826
Bloomfield Hills Schools. Move in rready! eady! Recently painted, updated kitchen with granite counters. Har Hardwood dwood floors. Presented Pr esented by: Helen Butler (248) 686-3826
V Vitality itality radiates fr from om this one of a kind lovely home. Featuring 3,284 sq ft (above grade) quality living space. T Tons ons of upgrades. Pr Presented esented by: Lata Sahi (248) 686-3826
Celebrating C elebrat atitiingg H Ho Home o me 248-686-3826 26 6 | cbwm.com
C Coldwell o l d w e ll B Banker anker W Weir eir M Manuel: anuel : Locally L o c a ll y O Owned w ned a and nd Operated Operated Since Since 1950. 195 0.
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Bloomfield V Village illage | $699,000
Birmingham | $839,900
Gracious Bloomfield V Village illage colonial situated on beautifully landscaped lot with fabulous pool and spa. Spacious foyer leads to a wonderful floor plan with gener generous ous sized rrooms. ooms. Formal living rroom oom w/marble fir fireplace. eplace. Presented Presented by: Robert Dundon (248) 686-3826
Charming Cape Cod high on a hill overlooking Birmingham Country hardwood Club. This Cape Cod boasts har dwood floors, formal dining rroom, oom, 1st floor master bedr bedroom oom suite with walk-in-closet, LaFata custom kitchen. Pr Presented esented by: Mark Marangon (248) 686-3826
Bloomfield eld Township Township | $310,000
Birmingham | $489,000
West West Bloomfield | $295,000
Spacious ranch on a lar large ge tr treed eed lot in a great Township ownship neighborhood. great Bloomfield T Birmingham Schools! Fr eshly painted. Freshly Presented Presented by: Helen Butler (248) 686-3826
Best buy in Quarton Lake Estates! Colonial meticulously maintained with extensive oom with fir eplace. har hardwood dwood flooring. Living rroom fireplace. Pr Presented esented by: Erin O’Neill (248) 686-3826
Premium Premium 1.26 acre, acre, cul-du-sac lot in one of West West Bloomfield’s most desirable neighborhoods. Bloomfield’s property with privacy and serenity. serenity. Fabulous property Presented Presented by: Susan W Wojtaszek ojtaszek (248) 686-3826
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Royal Oak | $285,000
Birmingham | $219,900
Bloomfield T Township ownship | $169,900
W Welcome elcome to this lovely updated 4 bedr bedroom, oom, 2.5 bath home near schools and downtown. Updated kitchen with all appliances included. Pr Presented esented by: Judith Bernhar Bernhard d (248) 686-3826
Spacious 3-bedr 3-bedroom oom ranch in gr great eat location with Birmingham Schools and easy access to downtown shops and rrestaurants. estaurants. Fab floor plan. Presented Pr esented by: Chris Martin (248) 686-3826
Great opportunity to live in lovely Foxcr Great Foxcroft oft of Bloomfield condominium complex, located a short walk to rrestaurants, estaurants, stor stores es and more. more. Presented Pr esented by: Anne Hammond (248) 686-3826
Celebrating C elebrat atitiingg H Ho Home o me 248-686-3826 26 6 | cbwm.com
C Coldwell o l d w e ll B Banker anker W Weir eir M Manuel: anuel : Locally L o c a ll y O Owned w ned a and nd Operated Operated Since Since 1950. 195 0.
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SEXTING THE HIDDEN DANGERS FOR STUDENTS BY LISA BRODY
nthony Weiner was once a relatively unknown Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York City. Then, in 2011, he used the social media site Twitter to send a link of photos of his genitalia to several women. After initially denying media reports, he admitted having sent a link to the photo, as well as other sexually explicit photos and messages to women he had never met, both before and during his marriage. He was forced to resign, and both Anthony Weiner and the term “sexting” entered the popular lexicon. Kim Kardashian recently “broke the Internet” by posing nude for the cover of a magazine with a glass of champagne on her derrière, and received wide recognition and celebration – at least from some quarters. Just this month in photos in V magazine, Miley Cyrus, who last year rode a giant wrecking ball in a music video without any clothes on, is seen completely naked, both in and out of the bathtub. Singer Justin Bieber took pictures of his penis and put them on Instagram.
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Teens are barraged with images of celebrities who have either become famous by taking off their clothes, or who think it’s no big deal to show themselves with little or no clothes on. Welcome to the new normal for today’s teens. For a generation who see celebrities living out their lives in front of the camera lens, it’s a matter of fact to live similarly, documenting every moment of life on social media for others to share. And that includes sexting, which they often believe is private – until it’s not. “Kids don’t see privacy the same way we do. They don’t value privacy. You are to share and document your life moment by moment. The motivation is to get as many likes on Instagram,” noted Stacy Rivard, director of the Girls’ Middle School at Cranbrook Kingswood. “I’m constantly talking to the kids about how do you want to be remembered. What do you want your digital footprint to be?” “I tell parents and kids that Anthony Weiner must have been smart. He became a congressman. Now he will never be looked at the same way,” said Marybeth Reader, registered nurse and health teacher at Detroit County Day School. “Students’ reputations can be gone in a click. It is child pornography.”
Sexting can have many risks, most notably that it can be illegal — it’s child pornography
exting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or pictures by mobile phone or other device. Sexting also occurs online with social media websites for the public to view. Newer technology can allow people to send pictures, as well as videos, which are often more explicit and have a greater impact. A Pew study in 2009 said that those who text were more likely to have received a sexually suggestive image on their cell phone, and those who have unlimited text messaging plans are more likely to receive sexually suggestive texts. According to a 2008 survey of 1,280 teenagers and young adults of both sexes on Cosmogirl.com, which was sponsored by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 20 percent of teens aged 13 to 20, and 33 percent of young adults aged 20 to 26 had sent nude or semi-nude photos photos of themselves electronically. Additionally, 39 percent of teens and 59 percent of young adults had sent sexually explicit text messages. However, sexting can have many risks, most notably that it can be illegal. For those who are under the age of 18, who create it, for those who view it, as well as who pass photos on, it is child pornography, and law enforcement treats it as such. Despite many teens believing otherwise, once an image is sent, no matter what the platform, it can never be erased, and the sender has no control over who receives it. According to Operation Keepsake, which works to help young people develop healthy relationships, sexting can lead to feelings of regret and shame, and someone included in a sexting photo might be targeted for bullying. “Anyone involved in sending or furthering the message could also destroy relationships or inspire feelings of guilt. Legally, that person might be subject to child pornography charges. Once an image is sent, it cannot be erased, and the person has no control over who receives it,” they note. Further, a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics points out that sexting is not separate from physical behaviors, with teens who send or receive sexts reporting higher levels of sexual activity and sexually risky behavior. “Some good kids do engage in harmful behaviors, because they want to become popular, for sexual experimentation, for attention. It’s pervasive,” noted Sharon Peacock, Upper School Dean of Girls at Cranbrook Kingswood. “There’s peer pressure. They think they’ll be cool, or as a joke. Others think doing it will give them a certain caché.
“Kids are taking these pictures in their bedrooms, and because it’s on their cell phones, they think it’s private. There’s a disinhibition when they’re doing it in a private place in their bedroom, when they think they’re safe,” Peacock continued. “They think these websites are private and anonymous, and they’re not. Anyone can access them, and then it’s, ‘Oh no, what have I done!’” “It’s often in middle school, when they like the opposite sex, they want attention, they’re going through puberty and the hormones are raging and they don’t think about the ramifications,” said Det. Jerry Hall of the Birmingham Police Department. “They want to show all of their friends that they’re ‘showing skin.’” While Hall, and most other local police departments, noted that they have few criminal incidents each year, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Schools and police liaison officers work proactively to educate both students and parents about the risks, as well as the dangers, of sexting. “We’re pretty good at keeping them and their parents informed,” Hall said. He goes into both Seaholm and Groves high schools at the beginning of each school year to talk about sexting, as well as at the middle schools. Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper speaks to middle schools and ninth graders in high schools around the county about the dangers of sexting. “We talk to 200, 300, 600 kids in a day, and I’ll come and talk to PTA meetings at night, and maybe 10 parents show up. It’s more important to get the parents to understand the issue,” she said. “Teens and preteens want to push buttons, and it’s natural. “The first thing I ask them is how many of you have something on them that your grandmother should see? You should see their faces. They’re shocked. There shouldn’t be anything on that device that your grandmother or your parents or your clergy shouldn’t see,” Cooper emphasized. “Then we talk about permanence. At any crime scene, on any TV show, you always see police taking out computers and they want the cell phones. That’s because you can delete all you want, but if there’s a memory chip, we can get it. “They respond they have Snapchat. You’ll never find it. I explain to them, you’re sending it out there. Someone takes a shot and they’re saving it. You’re placing your trust in someone on the other end. You think you ‘love’ them. I ask them, ‘Have you ever broken up with anyone?’ Or when they get mad at someone. I get involved because something always goes wrong,” she said. “Young girls share their passwords, and then girls have a fight and go into their ‘friends’ account, and go into mean girls mode, and go into the account and send out the photo to all of the contacts in the phone. It’s bullying. It might be as a result of young love or experimenting, but it’s bullying. Under the law, young girls do things because they’re foolish or in love, and that guy then downloads it and sends it to his friends, and the school, or the football team, and then it’s out there.” “Snapchat is supposed to disappear. The problem is, kids don’t realize someone can take a screen shot before it disappears which can be sent on,” said Rivard. Snapchat is a photo messaging application where users can take photos, record videos, add texts and drawings, which are known as “Snaps”, and send them to a controlled group of recipients, who view them for up to 10 seconds, and then they will be hidden from the recipient’s device and deleted from Snapchat’s server. Snapchat notes its demographic of users is between 13 and 23 years of age. However, nothing in the digital world, or the cloud, is ever gone forever. Cell phone users, particularly those with iPhones, can take a screen shot of a Snap image and save it to their cell phone, and voila’ – that sexting image is here to stay.
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In a Forbes article from May 9, 2013, it was reported that Snapchat photos don’t actually disappear, and images can actually be retrieved with minimal technological knowledge after the time limit expires. After that, the Federal Privacy Information Center filed a complaint against Snapchat with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), stating that Snapchat deceived its customers by leading them to believe that pictures are destroyed within seconds of viewing. Snapchat settled with the FTC on May 7, 2014, over allegations it deceived users over the amount of personal data it collected and was responsible for a security breach impacting 4.6 million customers. It will face privacy monitoring for the next 20 years. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said, “There’s this false sense of security that it (the sext) will never come out or be seen by anyone but the person it was meant for. But it does. There’s no erasing it. There are no safe apps, like Snapchat. There’s no such thing. I recently spoke at an all-girls parochial school, and I told them that. I said, ‘If you think it will disappear from that Internet, you are totally wrong.’ I told them stories about other local girls. You should have seen the looks on their faces. The color just drained from their faces.” He said Snapchat is one of the most popular apps, with a lot of activity, but it is not the only one. “Texting is huge. Some are into Facebook, and some are into Instagram. E-mail is not a big thing for teens. There are many different instant apps. When you use Snapchat and others like it, here’s what you know for sure. That it will never be private. It will never be seen only by the person it was meant for. It will be gone and erased. Because it won’t be. There’s no such thing.” Despite what some parents may want to believe, both sexes are equally active in participating in sexting. “Girls are very active in doing this,” Bouchard said. “Most people cannot wrap their heads around this and are shocked at how girls act today.”
The penalty for the girl creating the selfie is more severe than for the boys who receive it
loomfield Hills defense attorney Shannon Smith whose whole practice is in sex crimes, said that most of the time girls are sending topless and fully nude photos of themselves to boys. “And they’re selfies,” she said. “They’re taking them in front of their mirrors.” Boys also participate, “they take pictures of their penis and then send them to girls,” she said. She said the age range of her clients is from 10 to 17. “They’re so used to the ease of cell phones and taking photos,” Smith said. “A lot of kids are doing it using Snapchat. It doesn’t disappear, and it doesn’t protect them. Most of the photos start out pretty innocently. They’re trying to be cool. Then in about half the cases, they get bullied and harassed after by kids who know about it.” “There’s so much bullying and harassment, to the point of teen suicides,” noted Bouchard. “We really caution teens, and everyone, don’t send out anything on the Internet you don’t want people to see. It’s not just celebrities. People who have things on their devices, they will likely be seen by others. If Sony can be hacked, so can you.” “There are kids who are humiliated, who change schools, who can’t take it and commit suicide. The suicide rate is increasing from it,” Cooper said. “Bullying online is terrible. It’s the nasty of the nasty, and the person doing it sees that, and keeps e-mailing and e-mailing.” The Michigan legislature, during the 2014 lame duck session, passed Senate Bill 74 on December 19, which includes cyber bullying as an official type of bullying. All public school bullying policies must be updated within six months to include cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is being defined as “any electronic
communication intended to harm one or more students by interfering with education opportunities, adversely affecting a student’s ability to participate in school or district education programs, having an actual or substantial negative effect on a student’s mental or physical health or causing a substantial disruption the operation of the school.” The law also requires local school districts to report to the Michigan Department of Education the number of instances of bullying they discipline based upon the policy. It also ensures confidentiality to the student who reports the cyber bullying. Sexting as bullying falls into the category of cyber bullying. Sexting is also illegal, although most schools, and even law enforcement agencies, prefer not to press charges if they can avoid it. Sexting can also expose teens to child predators because the photos or texts are out there in the public for others to see – and predators know how to access it and skillfully lure teens in. “They’re posting about it on Facebook and new social medias,” Cooper said. “We explain that the only people who keep track of those sites are predators and child molesters. They can talk to you about what you’re interested in because you’re posting everything about yourself, and anyone can see, and they will just put down a different name and age. They’ll ask if you’d like to meet. We have some cases pending, including in Rochester. We talk about how a girl was not just raped, but murdered, and we show them pictures of convicted men. Some look weird, but some look really normal.” “Law enforcement and the legal system are treating these kids as adults and treating them as sex offenders if they share their photos. It’s a serious situation,” noted Cranbrook Kingswood’s Rivard. “What’s interesting is that developmentally, the frontal lobes of kids’ brains, which are the gatekeeper, of what you should or shouldn’t do, don’t fully develop until about 25 years of age. There’s also a problem with impulse control. So you have kids without a filter, problems with impulse control, and them trying to be adults. It’s a trifecta of risky behavior. Technology has advanced in the last 10 years. They’ve grown up with it, and they’re very comfortable with it. Adults have to protect kids from themselves.” “It’s another dilemma for school districts because it often happens when they’re not in school,” said Daniel Nerad, superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools. “Most districts take it as a case-by-case basis. We investigate it and handle it individually. We view the problem of sexting very seriously. We intervene and address the problem aggressively, both socially and educationally.” Shannon Smith, the sex crimes attorney, said that often parents inadvertently make the situation worse for their children. “Parents tend to become very emotional and unfortunately, it drives them to start a case against their own child, forcing law enforcement to charge their own child,” she said. “The school will call the parent involved, and the parent approaches their child, who then will emotionally confess. The parent has the student say, yes, I did it, telling the school and the police, and passing on the names of the other students – not realizing they’re confessing to the crime of sending nude photos. Most often it’s girls, where a daughter has sent the photo. The parents think they’re reporting their daughter as the victim of all these boys passing around the photo of their daughter, but instead, they are setting up their daughter to be convicted of a crime because she is the one who took the selfie and sent it out.” Smith explained that the penalty for the girl who created the selfie is more severe than for the boy or boys who received it. “A girl who takes a nude selfie is guilty of a 20-year felony, because she is creating child pornography, versus a boy who receives the photo, who is guilty of a four-year felony for each photo received. If he forwards it on, then it’s a seven-year felony for forwarding it on,” she said.
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“Most of the situations I’ve seen, the kids are stone cold guilty,” Smith said. “Girlfriends and boyfriends share photos, and then parents or friends discover it, and then it comes to the attention of the school or law enforcement. I have had situations where the girlfriend gets mad at the boyfriend, and reports it to the school or her parents, but that gets them into trouble. “Other situations are where boys flirt with girls to send them pictures, and they do. The boys then flip on the girls. It’s calls ‘slut shaming’, and it makes the girls feel really bad about sending the photos,” she said. “The best thing they can do in any of these situations is hire a lawyer because anything they say – to parents, the school, other students, the police – can be reported and used against them.” Consequences they can face include incarceration and being placed on the sex offender registry, which can, and will, affect their ability to get into college as well as to hold a job. “It can ruin relationships and careers. You don’t have to look too far to see Kwame Kilpatrick in the rear view mirror,” said Bouchard. Schools and law enforcement note educating parents is as critical as teaching teens. Cooper said she tells parents, “If you’re going to let your kid drive your car, and you’re going to teach them and tell them your rules, you should have the same rules for them using their electronic devices – you’re paying for them and the contracts. It’s very hard to tell parents – it’s your computer, it’s your tablet, it’s your cellphone. You pay for those contracts. They say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to violate their privacy.’ However, for all of those services, you need a contract, and no one under the age of 18 can have a contract. They’re not theirs. Anytime a parent wants to see them (electronic devices), they should. They pay for them.” “It’s not the tool, it’s the behavior,” noted Shira Good, communications and community relations director for Bloomfield Hills Schools. “It doesn’t matter if the student is on Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, or texting on a cell phone. Parents need to be aware of what their child is doing on the Internet and what kind of digital footprint they are leaving behind. It’s vital that students understand the permanence of their interactions and behaviors. The digital world can be a dangerous place for our students and we have to educate them as best we can, despite the technology that continues to evolve around us. Parents should feel empowered to know their child’s login information, look at each device/app their child uses, and check in on their digital footprint at any time.” Based on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Bloomfield Hills Schools directs administrators to comply with the act and that child pornography, which is “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file or other visual depiction that “depicts, describes or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or lewd exhibition of the genitals.” At Detroit Country Day School, Reader shares with her parents online safety tips and tools, as well as a YouTube video on child exploitation. “Parents are grateful that someone besides themselves are talking about this,” she said. “Some parents e-mail me questions. It helps parents broach the subject with their kids.” “The knee-jerk reaction for parents is to shut down their kids’ technology and to take away their devices,” said Cranbrook Kingswood’s Rivard. “That’s when children don’t talk to their parents. We would inhibit learning without technology. It’s the world we’re in, and to be competitive, they have to have technology. Children listen a lot more to their parents than parents give them credit for.” “Scaring students straight does not work...education in every grade, parental awareness, and best practice tools for students and educators are what will make social media work for kids and not against,” said Jean MacLeod, social media specialist for Oakland Schools. “We all make mistakes growing up,” Birmingham School’s Nerad said. “It’s part of what I like to label a ‘teachable’ moment, where it can be and it’s not egregious.” downtownpublications.com
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Only 10 heavily-wooded sites are available for custom estate building by Arteva Homes. Homesites range from 1.01 acres up to 2.70 acres. The gated community features a 120’ long bridge overlooking Vhay Lake and a natural wildlife preservation area. Barton Hills represents the last remaining sites of their kind in the City of Bloomfield Hills. Homes priced from $2.5 million.
A select number of sites are available for custom building by Arteva Homes in Oakland Township. A professionally attended gatehouse enhances the privacy of this pristine 100-acre sanctuary with its woodlands, ponds and waterfalls.
Brian Szliter 248.835.4796
Award-winning idea ShowHouse is available for sale! Over 7,000 sq. ft. of absolute luxury including finished lower level with indoor sports court. Professional grade kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. Open daily for viewing.
Mike Mason 248.762.5180
The Sinclair is priced at $1.8 million. MLS 215003570 Inquire about $200,000 corporate lease-back option.
Call us today if you’re in the market for buying or selling a home.
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Homes priced from $1,850,000. MLS 214124982 The developer is extending an exclusive landscape credit up to $125,000 for a limited time.
Unbelievable value in Rochester Hills! Located off Avon Rd., between Rochester and John R Rds. New community showcasing Arteva Homes’ amazing Yacht Series plans. Premium daylight and walkout lots available.
Genna Weidman 586.713.4320
Homes priced from the low $400,000’s. MLS 215003572
248.731-0048 arterrarealty.com 1668 S. Telegraph Road L-150, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
FACES Marc Schwartz ong-time Birmingham resident Marc Schwartz has been collecting art since his college days, but a resurgence in Detroit’s artists community has inspired him to focus new efforts to promote the city and its culture. “Being interested in art and collecting are in my DNA,” Schwartz said, crediting his parents for his interest in art and support of institutions like the Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. “When I graduated from business school, they bought me my first work of art. Within a few years I got hooked. I’ve been collecting for about 35 years.” Growing up near 7 Mile Road and Woodward in Detroit, and attending high school at Cranbrook Schools, Schwartz passed on a job offer in Los Angeles after graduating from the University of California in Berkeley, and purchased his first home in Birmingham, where he still lives today. He worked for what is now Pricewaterhouse Coopers before working for The Handleman Company, which was the largest distributor of music to retailers in America. He later cofounded SM/ART Editions, Royce Music Distribution and Shortcut Books. Today, Schwartz spends all of his time supporting arts and culture initiatives in Detroit. “I think this is the moment,” he said. “I think we have a short window to make some of these changes. The next two or three years is critical. “I do believe that the creative class – the artists and makers – have really been a critical community in the revitalization of Detroit,” Schwartz said. “It’s not unique to Detroit. It goes to the history of rebuilding cities. Artists continue to come here because it’s an exciting place to work. In the end, we have to build a collecting community because our artists need patrons, and the rest of the world needs to learn how talented our artists are.” Among the projects that Schwartz has been involved with is the founding of DLECTRICITY, a two-day festival of art and light in Detroit’s Midtown area. Holding its second event this past September, DLECTRICITY featured more than 30 local, national and international artists whose works of art, lighting design and performance illuminated Midtown’s Woodward Corridor. “It was really magical to see over a two-day period, 150,000 to 200,000 people walking down Woodward at night and enjoying the city and talking about art. That is something we wouldn’t have imagined a couple of years ago,” he said. As for the future of the event, Schwartz, who serves as chairman, said he only wants to continue the event if it “changes the way people interact with the city. We don’t want to have an event for the sake of having an event.” In addition to DLECTRICTY, Schwartz helped to found Art Now Detroit; is on the board of trustees of the Detroit Institute of Arts; and is a board member for Tech Town. He has also served as a governor for the Cranbrook Art Academy Museum and is on the Kresge Arts in Detroit advisory committee. “The crafts movement is the strongest it’s ever been,” he said. “We have a great tradition of building things with our hands. I’m trying to see if I can find better platforms for those young people to maximize their manufacturing, and how to better let the world know what is being made here.”
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Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
ince our conversion to Sotheby’s eight years ago, SKBK has realized steady growth in our market share throughout the area.
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Currently SKBK markets and sells significantly more homes over $1.5 million than our competitors. As the price rises so does our market share – we sold 38% of the homes over $3 million so far this year – that is three times our closest competitor. Luxury real estate is just not local – homes must be marketed to include the global consumer. Nearly half of all the visits to the Sotheby’s International website are from outside the US. Here are a few key points about our marketing – our results demonstrate the success of this approach. Global Media – Our 2014 global media plan will generate 800 million impressions through handselected media powerhouses whose innovation, experience and international impact help drive awareness for the extraordinary properties our network represents. Global Reach – Innovation, Experience, International Exposure: With over 14,000 sales associates in approximately 720 offices and 52 countries and territories, our network members utilize all that is current to present a home in a unique way. SothebysRealty.com – attracts more consumers to search, view and inquire than any other luxury real estate website. • 10,000,000 visits yearly • 70,000,000 page views yearly • 12 focused minutes per visit • 45% visits from outside US Aerial photography – we provide aerial videos of every home we market over $500,000 – scan the adjacent QR code to see a sample video. Again – we use all available tools to market our properties and to position them as best possible in the market. Thank you again –
Douglas H. Hardy, MD Chairman
Market Share | By Dollars SKBK MarKetS More Homes Over $1.5 Million 25.75%
8.60%
7.78% 5.79% 3.65%
SKBK Sotheby’s International
Max Broock Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
Higbie Maxon Agney
Cranbrook Realtors
2.89%
2.84%
2.70%
2.67%
2.50%
Max Broock Bloomfield
Shain Park Realtors
Berkshire HWWB
RE/MAX New Trend
CB Weir Manuel Birmingham
*Current Active Listings provided by Realcomp II Ltd. 8.1.14
SKBK SellS More Homes Over $1.5 Million 21.48%
13.70%
13.05% 10.68%
5.87%
5.37% 3.77%
SKBK Sotheby’s International
Max Broock Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
CB Weir Manuel Birmingham
Max Broock Bloomfield
Shain Park Realtors
Berkshire HWWB
3.19%
Cranbrook Realtors
2.50%
Keller Williams Troy
1.90% RE/MAX New Trend
*Year to Date Sales provided by Realcomp II Ltd. 8.1.14
skbk.com
248.644.7000
John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists Cell 248.225.9858 415 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009
japap@skbk.com
TOP 1% NATIONALLY
2600 Indian Mound S
325 N Glengarry Road
150 N Cranbrook Road
Bloomfield Village | $799,900
Bloomfield Village | $749,000
Bloomfield Village | $624,900
Please Join Us for a Complimentary Dinner Event at Mitchell's Fish Market Where: 117 Willits Street, Birmingham When: Thursday, February 26, 2015 Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m. An informational evening on preparing to buy or sell a home. Learn creative new financing options and how to maximize your net proceeds. Home selling strategies for a successful home sale. Seating is Limited, Please RSVP to John or Bridget Apap by February 19 Cell 248.225.9858 japap@skbk.com
492 Vinewood Avenue
3731 Darlington
Birmingham | $539,000
Bloomfield | $499,000
Lara J. Forte
John & Bridget Apap
Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665 T: 248-912-9031 C: 248-284-5178
Fine Homes Specialists
41820 Six Mile Road Northville MI 48168
LForte@mbmortgage.com
Cell 248.225.9858 japap@skbk.com
TOP 1% NATIONALLY
Featured Listings
345 Martell Drive
1280 N Cranbrook Road
Bloomfield Hills | $1,499,000
Bloomfield Village | $1,399,000
3798 Darlington Road
852 W Glengarry Circle
Bloomfield Twp. | $1,499,000
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465 Lone Pine Court
1263 Brookwood Street
Bloomfield Hills | $1,197,500
Birmingham | $1,049,000
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Lynn Wiand
John & Bridget Apap
Senior Mortgage Lender NMLS ID 39420
Fine Homes Specialists Cell 248.225.9858 japap@skbk.com
lwiand@talmerbank.com Office 248-244-4805 Cell 248.228.4805
2301 W. Big Beaver Rd, Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
Hunter Roberts Homes Extraordinary Homes
Winthrop
Winthrop
New Construction Quarton Lake - $1,295,000 - 3,600 sf, 4 bedrooms 5.5 baths, finished lower level
New Construction Quarton Lake - $1,295,000 - 3,600 sf, 4 bedrooms 5.5 baths, finished lower level
Covington Place
Indian Mound
New Construction Bloomfield Village - $1,600,000 - 4,200 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level
New Construction Bloomfield Village - $1,895,000 - 5,100 sf, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level
N Glenhurst
Suffield
New Construction Quarton Lake - $2,595,000 - 5,800 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 4 car garage, finished lower level, oversized lot
New Construction Quarton Lake - $2,395,000 - 5,400 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level.
Lower Long Lake Frontage $3,250,000 Exquisite Colonial on 1.3 Acres 6 BR, 6.2 BA • 6792 Sq Ft
THE SPRING MARKET is almost here, it's the perfect time to sell! Call us, we'll gladly provide you a complimentary market analysis!
Birmingham $1,895,000 Magnificent Limestone Country French Home 4 BR, 5.2 BA • 5412 Sq Ft
Birmingham $799,000 European Elegance & Sophistication 3 BR, 2.1 BA • 3040 Sq Ft
M. Michael Cotter CRS
Paula Kania Law CRS
Associate Broker
248.310.1974
mcotter@skbk.com
Associate Broker
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
248.535.4700
pklaw@skbk.com
Troy $489,000 Birmingham $1,549,000 Exquisite Details and Craftsmanship 4433 Sq Ft, 4 BR, 4.2 BA 2 Car Attached Garage
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Birmingham $1,399,000
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Birmingham $1,260,000
Marketing a home requires unique skills, knowledge and resources that SKBK Sotheby's International Realty offers its clients. I would welcome the opportunity to offer you a confidential marketing analysis.
Birmingham $959,000 Gorgeous New Construction 2850 Sq Ft, 4 BR, 4.1 BA 2 Car Detached Garage
Royal Oak $670,000 Stunning Craftsman 2 Story 3190 Sq Ft, 4 BR, 3.1 BA 2 Car Attached Garage
All Star
Christine Drinkwater 248-283-8315
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
cdrinkwater@skbk.com
Bloomfield Village $699,000 Updated Village Colonial, on a huge corner tree lined lot for ultimate privacy. This 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath home is approximately 3,000 sq ft, updated, designer decorated and beautifully landscaped! Enjoy a large and sun filled white Kitchen with granite and Jenn Air appliances with a wonderful Breakfast Nook overlooking a manicured yard. Open floor plan with hardwood floors flowing into Den, Living Room and Dining Room make this the perfect home to entertain and raise your family. Mudroom with laundry hook up off the Kitchen and another upstairs. Master Suite with make-up area and updated bath with granite and plenty of closets. Plus 3 nice sized bedrooms with an updated full bath with Marble floors and tub/shower combo. Finished basement with additional laundry plus plenty of storage. Updated mechanicals, newer windows and a whole house gas fed generator. This wonderful home is move-in ready and a pleasure to show.
Local
All Star
Expertise Extraordinary Results
Michael Sbrocca Associate Broker
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
248-709-9119 msbrocca@skbk.com
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty and Lorraine Yalman... a superb alliance! Now bringing my award-winning history and extraordinary level of service to SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty. I’ll guide you through the process of buying or selling your next property, ensuring sound decisions every step of the way. Whether your're considering selling, buying or simply evaluating your options, please contact me for a confidential marketing consultation.
My address has changed; would you like to change yours? Top 5% of Real Estate Agents In The Metropolitan Detroit Area
All Star
Lorraine Yalman 248-425-7426
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
lyalman@skbk.com
irmingham real estate FeBruary’s
hottest Buys
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• 2744 Sq Ft/4 Beds/3.5 Baths • Coveted Quarton Lake Estates • All New Hardwood Floors • Spacious First Floor Laundry • Gorgeous Updated Granite Kitchen • 1 Block From Acclaimed Quarton Elementary
• 3623 Sq Ft/3 Beds/2.5 Baths • One Of Birmingham’s Most Desirable Streets • A Full Acre Of Land, A Pool, And Cabana • Beautiful Renovation Including A Dream Master Suite With Balcony • Stunning Oversized Living Room With • Cathedral Ceilings And French Doors Leading To Covered Veranda
1936 haynes
680 Fairfax
• 2234 Sq Ft/ 3 Beds/ 2.5 Baths • 2012 Newly Built Construction • Stunning Granite Kitchen Completely • Open To Great Room • Generous Square Footage For This Price Range • Flawless Interior Finishes
777 Pleasant
if you are looking for the perfect home, home, or areorthinking If you are looking for the perfect are thinkingabout selling, i have expertise call me today. about selling, I have the the expertise to help.to Callhelp. me today.
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415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty
Congratulates Ronni Keating
as the 2014 Top Producer with over $37 Million in Sales
• In 2014 Ronni had the 2 Highest Recorded Residential Sales in Michigan History • Top Producer for over 25 years in Birmingham/Bloomfield area and rated Top 1/2% Nationally • Her experience and expertise has earned her the title of "Gatekeeper of Bloomfield Hills" as recognized by Town & Country • Featured in AP article in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today • Interviewed by CNBC on her knowledge of the area's real estate market
Ronni Keating 248-330-9750
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
rkeating@skbk.com
FACES Sabrina Mayhew ometimes, the smallest of gifts can make the biggest difference in someone’s life. For Birmingham resident Sabrina Mayhew, it was a small heart-shaped pillow she received during her struggle with cancer that ended up having a big impact on her own life and those of others. It was November of 2011 when Mayhew, then 40, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatment included a double mastectomy and radiation treatment, a long painful process that left her drained physically and emotionally. “There were a lot of people coming in and out of the room, and it was very stressful for me,” she said of her surgery. “Finally, a nurse came in with this pillow, and it was just what I needed. I was having a lot of difficulty getting comfortable. The fact that this was made by a complete stranger, I was really touched by that. I used it. I traveled with it. I slept with it. I said, ‘I have to find out who made it.’” With pain pumps, drainage tubes, surgical incisions and bandages, finding a comfortable position was challenging for Mayhew. She said nurses had suggested rolling up towels to provide cushion and support, but the heart pillow turned out to be the perfect solution. Later, she realized she was using the heart-shaped pillow constantly; as an underarm rest, a seatbelt cushion, neck and back support, and for help sleeping. The pillow had become more than a physical comfort. “There is an emotional connection, too,” she said. “The doctors do a good job treating the cancer in our bodies, but there is an emotional recovery that needs to take place, as well. Just the shock of hearing you have cancer, and the emotions that come from that.” When months after the surgery, Mayhew woke up still using the pillow, she was determined to find out who made it and send them a thank you note. It turned out the pillows were made by Lorraine Stevens of Madison Heights, who had decided to sew the pillows after her own daughter had gone through breast cancer surgery. “She was making the pillows and delivering them,” Mayhew said. “When I was talking to them, it sounded like they didn’t have anyone to help do it, and I thought I could help out.” And it was from there that the Angel Pillow Project was born. Today, the project, which Mayhew heads and organizes, includes a support group that meets once a month at Gilda’s Club in Royal Oak, and has delivered more than 1,000 pillows to cancer survivors. “I have a lot of people who sew at their homes and deliver to Gilda’s. We also sew at Gilda’s and I sewed at a school in Northville,” she said. “I think they have a lot of fun doing it. Some are really into it, and picking out the fabrics. I hope to keep doing it and stay involved with Gilda’s Club. It’s a great organization.” The project also has partnered with the Michigan Breast Cancer Coalition, Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit, Game on Cancer and the Detroit Lions, where Mayhew’s husband, Martin, works as general manager. The group, she said, focuses on building up members with positive support to raise themselves and others up, rather than focusing on the negatives of cancer. “Support groups aren’t for everybody,” she said. “I feel ours is a positive support group. It’s not where you come in and express your difficulties. It’s a ‘building you up’ support group.”
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Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
MUNICIPAL Downtown granted document on appeal By Lisa Brody
An appeal by Downtown Publications of a denial of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made to Bloomfield Township on September 14, 2014, seeking a copy of a Miller Canfield review of the pension obligation bond issue investments and accompanying fees, was unanimously approved by Bloomfield Township trustees on Monday, January 12, but the publication could not pick up the document until Monday, January 19. The township’s legal counsel in October denied the publishing group’s original request, saying it was exempt under “attorney client privilege.” Township attorney Bill Hampton said, “I think the decision to deny it based on attorney client privilege is correct. In his two-and-a-half page letter from the (Downtown Publications) publisher, he makes his case that the public has a right to know. If it is denied, the next step is to take it to circuit court.” Treasurer Dan Devine, in a rambling and at times disjointed rebuttal, said the document had “been prepared in light of keeping the document private. Several of the questions have been raised in study sessions in January and August 2014, so it seems to me the purpose it engendered was satisfied by the study sessions. If it was a document to be released, if the vendor has not been able to look at it, it would seem to me in fairness they would be able to respond to it, then it would be fair. If the document was just released, there would be questions that would be false. It seems to me the vendor should be able to see it first. I’m not comfortable with the precedence.” Devine continued, “In a confidential setting, you can take certain liberties rather than a document that the vendor could interact with. The vendor is not even aware of it. They should be able to read and respond to it. There is a merit in keeping things confidential, things that are advisory in nature for a policy making board.” It became clear through conversation that the vendor was investment company Gregory J. Schwartz & Co., the investment advisor the township used on the $80million bond issue in 2013. “You received that package fairly soon after I did, and my downtownpublications.com
Financial review committee created By Lisa Brody
he formation of a Bloomfield Township financial sustainability committee comprised of the township supervisor, treasurer, finance director, a trustee and three members of the community with financial knowledge in order to advise the board of trustees on the township’s defined benefit pension plan as well as other financial issues was approved by trustees on Monday, January 12. Supervisor Leo Savoie first broached the topic of an advisory board at a September 2014 study session, after concerns arose among trustees over fees paid to Gregory J. Schwartz & Company, the investment advisor the township used on an $80-million bond issue in 2013. The issue of the fees, and whether township treasurer Dan Devine and the investment advisory firm took the time to make sure township board members understood the nuances of the fees for the recommended investments, was then followed up in December 2014 with information that the township’s defined benefit pension plan, held and monitored by Prudential Retirement, had not only been underperforming and consistently not meeting its benchmarks, but was in fact forcing the township to raid the equity account held by Schwartz to fund its benefits. From that study session, information provided by Devine to the trustees revealed that Prudential needed an extra $22 million, over its projections, in 2014 to fund the township’s account. The creation of the financial sustainability committee is designed to assist the treasurer and trustees in making better informed financial decisions, but it will only be an advisory committee, township officials said. “I like that you acknowledged they have no decision-making abilities, that the decisions reside with us, but that they will advise this board,” said Savoie at the January 12 meeting. “We have a problem with Prudential. I think the problem could have been averted the last time the contract was negotiated in 2005 or 2006. It’s handcuffing Bloomfield Township to an archaic system from the 1960s.” “I agree it shouldn’t be a fiduciary committee, just an advisory committee, and it should look at everything financial – including Schwartz – that we’re doing,” said trustee Neal Barnett. Qualified candidates can include investment advisement advisors, pension attorneys and actuaries with specific experience in public sector finances. To be considered, candidates must live in the township and be a registered voter, 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in the township at least 30 days. Applicants must write a letter of interest and submit a current resume. The board of trustees will review and consider information from all applicants and make the selection for appointments. The committee will meet at a minimum on a quarterly basis to review investment returns and as needed for future agenda items. Compensation for the appointed members will be $150 per meeting. Term of the appointment is three years. The letter of interest and resume must be submitted to the township clerk’s office by 5:30 p.m., Monday, February 2. The office is located at 4200 Telegraph Road, is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The documents may be emailed to clerk@bloomfieldtwp.org.
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recommendation was that you give it to the vendor. By giving it to you and giving it to them, it waived the attorney client privilege,” said supervisor Leo Savoie. “It’s been almost nine to 12 months. It was given to you a good two months before the entire board. They should have had the document. But, at the end of the day, I’m not looking for their response. Shepherd Kaplan (a registered investment advisory company hired by Miller Canfield) did not do it for them, but for us. I have no issue with it being released. If they
(Downtown Publications) feel there is anything newsworthy, they will seek them out for comment.” Devine continued to fight against the release of the document to satisfy the FOIA appeal, stating at one point, “Why would you want to release it? Why do they serve a public purpose? If the purpose is to embarrass someone, then I see it.” Trustee Neal Barnett responded, “By holding back, it looks like we have something to hide. It’s about how someone does business.” Trustee Corinne Khederian
DOWNTOWN
concurred. “We are the trustees of the public’s funds. We have a responsibility to let the public know what is going on with their money. I think the public has a right to know. There’s been a lot of innuendo.” “I’m for full transparency. If this allows the publication to get a handle on everything, I’m for it,” said trustee Dave Buckley. “Could we say the document is an incomplete work product without all the questions answered?” Devine asked. “I don’t see how the board can say how a series of questions serves the public purpose.” Hampton cautioned the board, “There’s a fairness question, but that’s not the issue. If we get into circuit court, they’re entitled to attorney’s fees if we’re wrong.” Devine said, “But we have a vendor we do not want to wrong.” “As a matter of terms, the vendor has answered all of the questions in the study sessions, and we did discuss the report,” countered clerk Jan Roncelli. “There are no allegations of wrongdoing, just questions. I do know in FOIA, you don’t create another document, you deliver the document. While (Schwartz) hasn’t seen it, they answered the questions in the study sessions.” Trustees eventually agreed to provide the document first to Schwartz & Co., and then to grant the appeal to Downtown Publications, permitting the publication to pick up the document on Monday, January 19, at the township clerk’s office, by a vote of 6-0, with trustee Brian Kepes not in attendance. The document, produced by Shepherd Kaplan at the request of Miller Canfield, examined the work of Schwartz & Co. in choosing vehicles to invest for the township’s equity fund, the compensation received by Schwartz and what it continues to receive. The question about fees paid to Schwartz was first brought to the attention of some township officials several months ago by at least one local resident with investment knowledge. While original estimates of fees to be paid on the pension obligation bond issue were suggested to be about $160,000, or 20 basis points in investment industry jargon, the actual fees were over $490,000 based on the nature of investments that were recommended to the board by the township treasurer and the investment advisory firm, in large part due to a clause in the contract with the investment advisory firm that allowed commissions, or concessions, 73
to be paid beyond the flat fee schedule if class A shares of stocks were selected rather than what is referred to as institutional shares which many government investors select and bear a lower cost. Shepherd Kaplan said that Schwartz received “finder’s fees” of $450,000 from mutual fund families, as well as ongoing fees of $135,000 annually for services it continues to work on. Shepherd Kaplan stated it also assumed, based on looking at the information provided them, that Schwartz “also likely receives approximately $175,000 (or 21 bps) of ongoing compensation from RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)”, which is the custodian for the Pension Plan’s Equity Investments, but “Schwartz has not disclosed its RBC compensation.” In a written response issued to Downtown Publications and township board members, Schwartz claims they have received no compensation from RBC. “We have received nothing beyond the compensation which has been disclosed, which has been paid entirely by the mutual fund
companies. We have been paid in accordance with the applicable prospectuses and our written service agreement with the township,” wrote Ed Schwartz, president of Gregory Schwartz & Company. The compensation agreement between Bloomfield Township and Schwartz provides that if the investments involved class A shares, rather than institutional shares which many government units favor, then the investment advisor relationship with a set fee changes to that of a broker/investor relationship, which provides for commissions or concessions. Ed Schwartz previously informed Downtown Publications that many municipal and institutional investors utilize both A shares and institutional shares as part of an investment strategy, and his firm received all fees from the funds themselves, not from the township. Shepherd Kaplan in its report, however, stated, “Use of the more costly share options has resulted in approximately $234,000 annually in additional mutual fund fees that could have been avoided, and ...appears to
be largely attributable to the existence of conflict of interest (between) the broker in an advisory role and a compensation structure for the broker that created a divergence between the Plan’s interests and those of Schwartz...Unfortunately for the Pension Plan, such alternatives did, and continue to exist...In each case, alternative share class was available, which would have resulted in lower ongoing fees. These...would not, and do not, pay finders fees. Thus Schwartz had little incentive to recommend accessing the recommended funds through these alternative share classes...because when a Broker accepts a Finder’s Fee from recommended funds, the Broker is incentivized to recommend funds that maximize its compensation. This is a clear conflict of interest...and it may have impact beyond just the fees.” Ed Schwartz responded that “SK’s multiple suggestions, that our priority appears to be the maximization our compensation at the expense of unnecessarily high client cost and therefore weaker net return potential, are inconsistent with our actual track
record of posting strong net returns for the township, over both the short term and long term. Such an ill-fated priority would make it nearly impossible to deliver strong net returns.” He also pointed out that Shepherd Kaplan appears to be a Registered Investment Advisor firm, with no broker capabilities, making them possibly biased towards the investment advisor approach. The Shepherd Kaplan report also raised questions about the clarity of the Schwartz & Company agreement with the township. “Schwartz & Co. is registered nationally as both an RIA and a Broker-dealer, and we utilize both approaches extensively with our clientele,” Ed Schwartz said. “We have 100-plus such agreements with out institutional clientele, often reviewed by clients’ legal counsel, and we have never had anyone raise this issue.” Lastly, the report from Shepherd Kaplan also addressed the issue of the township having an investment committee and made a number of recommendations about establishing such a panel.
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DOWNTOWN
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St. Regis parents must follow rules St. Regis Elementary School in Bloomfield Township urges parents to follow certain routes in order to ensure student safety during drop off and pick up, but many parents sit and wait in their cars in the adjacent Westchester Village subdivision, prompting the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees to adopt an ordinance on Monday, January 12, to prohibit stopping, standing or parking on specific streets. Noting that it was a public safety issue, trustees voted 5-1, with treasurer Dan Devine voting against and trustee Brian Kepes not in attendance, to introduce and adopt an ordinance to prohibit stopping, standing or parking on W. Bradford Street; W. Breckenridge Street; Middlebury Lane; and Windham Lane from Lincoln Drive North to Berkshire Drive, Monday through Friday, from 7 to 10 a.m., and 3 to 4 p.m. Police may ticket those who violate the ordinance. A doctor living in the subdivision
downtownpublications.com
brought the matter to the attention of the board, noting that there should be an ordinance to not have parents parking in the subdivision or standing waiting for their children, but to follow the advisement of the school and to drop them off as the school feels appropriate. There is no crossing guard where children often sprint across Lincoln to get to their parents cars, posing a public safety issue, it was pointed out. “This has been going on for a considerable time,” said supervisor Leo Savoie. “This is how the school has indicated they would like it handled. Some insist upon waiting in the car and having their kids cross Lincoln. The school is fully aware of this. We have not had a way of enforcing it.” Devine disagreed. “We’re telling them (parents) what to do with their kids.” “We should pass an ordinance tonight. I have children who go to Seaholm, and recently there was a student crossing the street by Seaholm who was hit by a car,” said trustee Corinne Khederian. “There was
no crossing guard. We should make sure no child is unsafe and protect them.” Trustees concurred, voting to approve the adoption of the ordinance. Police will provide warnings to parents for the first few weeks.
Township to seek pedestrian bridge Bloomfield Township trustees on Monday, January 12, unanimously approved a resolution to apply for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for a pedestrian bridge for Squirrel Road over I-75, where the TAP program would provide 50 percent of matching funding. Township engineering and environmental director Wayne Domine explained that the Safety Path Master Path, updated in 2008, recommends a pedestrian crossing be constructed next to the roadway bridge over I-75. The completion of a pedestrian bridge over I-75 would connect to the safety path, providing a safe route along
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Squirrel Road extending across South Boulevard and connecting to the walkway in Auburn Hills, which leads to the Clinton River Trail. The bridge would span approximately 300 feet. A major hurdle in constructing a new bridge has been the ability of the safety path millage to fund the cost within a single budget year. The estimated construction cost is $1.9 million. TAP grant funding is available for $943,596, meaning the township would need to pay the other half. Domine said that amount is doable in the safety path budget. Domine said MDOT is taking applications for grants to fund eligible projects in fiscal year 2016. The TAP grants in Bloomfield Township can only be applied for by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), with the application deadline January 26, 2014. “I think we should take advantage of it,” clerk Jan Roncelli said. “To me this is a no brainer,” said trustee Corinne Khederian. “We were looking at spending $1.5 million, and now we could be looking at getting over $900,000.”
77
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OVER $40 MILLION SOLD IN 2014 1300 Krikway Road, Bloomfield Hills $3,450,000 Listed By 1346 N Carillon Court, Bloomfield Hills $1,899,000 Listed & Sold By 4600 Lahser Road, Bloomfield Hills $1,895,000 Listed By 1928 Heron Ridge Drive, Bloomfield Hills $1,889,000 Sold By 2615 Heights View Court, Oakland Township $1,599,000 Listed & Sold By 734 Southfield Road, Birmingham $1,485,000 Sold By 186 Westchester Way, Birmingham $1,395,000 Sold By 1215 Hidden Lake Drive, Bloomfield Hills $899,900 Sold By 1729 Heron Ridge Drive, Bloomfield Hills $899,000 Listed & Sold By 3591 Shallow Brook Drive, Bloomfield Hills $650,000 Sold By 621 Larchlea Drive, Birmingham $639,000 Sold By 30333 La Brea Court, Franklin Village $639,900 Sold By 1075 Salma Drive, Troy $639,900 Sold By 29555 Bristol Lane, Bingham Farms $639,000 Sold By 29900 Bristol Lane, Bingham Farms $599,900 Listed By 5030 Oakbrooke Lane, West Bloomfield Twp $579,900 Sold By 3818 Wabeek Lake Drive, Bloomfield Hills $558,500 Sold By 624 Deauville Lane, Bloomfield Hills $535,000 Sold By 365 Applewood Lane, Bloomfield Hills $535,000 Listed By 4061 Winterset Lane, West Bloomfield Twp $525,000 Listed By 4056 Augusta Court, Bloomfield Hills $479,000 Sold By 2051 Sundew Drive, Troy $477,500 Listed By 7029 Lindenmere Drive, Bloomfield Hills $449,900 Listed By 1902 Pine Ridge Court, Bloomfield Hills $395,000 Sold By ... and many more!
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U.S. U .S. RESIDENTIAL TRANS TRANSACTION ACTION SIDES1
U.S. U.S. BRAND AWARENESS AW WARENESS2
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MUNICIPAL Association sues over Muslim center By Lisa Brody
The president of a Bloomfield Township homeowner’s association has sued the township after its zoning board of appeals (ZBA) ruled 5-2 at a November 2014 meeting to approve variances for the Muslim Unity Center to allow for a proposed parking lot expansion of up to 100 spaces. A final site plan for the proposed parking lot expansion is still subject to approval by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees. The variances were needed from the ZBA before the center could go before the board for final site plan approval. Kirk Brannock, president of the Square Lake Homeowners Association, filed a suit against Bloomfield Township in Oakland County on Monday, December 29. Township clerk Jan Roncelli confirmed the township had been served, and the suit is scheduled to be heard in Oakland County Circuit Court before Judge Martha D. Anderson. By law, a ZBA decision can only be challenged by taking it to court. “We have had very few decisions taken to circuit court over the years,” said Roncelli. The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees cannot overturn a ZBA variance approval. The final site plan is still in the review state, township planner Patti Voelker said, with the Muslim Unity Center waiting to hear a decision on a decision by the Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC) on a road right-of-way on a street which was never developed, which is part of the parking lot site plan. At the November 11 meeting of the ZBA, the Muslim Unity Center of Bloomfield, located at 1830 W. Square Lake Road, requested variances to allow for parking lot expansions at a corner of Square Lake Country Club, at a part of vacated Hickory Avenue, and at several lots adjacent to their property. The center’s attorney, Richard Rattner of Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett, PC, in Birmingham, stated that the Muslim Unity Center has been at its current township location for 22 years, since 1993. It is situated on 7.2 acres, with 5.2 acres used for the building and parking lot. It is surrounded by single family homes. Rattner emphasized at the meeting the center was not seeking an expansion of its existing downtownpublications.com
Schools considering May bond vote By Lisa Brody
irmingham Public Schools is considering putting a $66 million bond for infrastructure, safety upgrade and technology on the May 5 ballot, after retiring other millages, with the board of education to make a final decision on Tuesday, February 3. Currently, calls from a polling firm are being randomly made to voters in the school community to determine whether they would be supportive of such a bond vote, Birmingham Public Schools Director of Community Relations Marcia Wilkinson said. “We’re trying to take the temperature of the community,” she said. “The board is looking at whether or not it’s a possibility,” said Debbie Piesz, assistant superintendent for business services. “We have bond refinancing of old debt, which allows you to refinance at lower interest rates. Because of refinancing, payments and improvements to taxable values (property values), taxpayers would receive a decrease in the debt millage rate of .54 mills.” Currently, she said, interest rates are at historic lows, which would permit them to refinance their debt and let them do a lot of needed projects. “A school district is just a large house,” she said. “You’re allowed to refinance without going to the voters to do projects on your house. That savings is entirely for the voters.” However, asking for a new millage requires them to go forward to the voters. Piesz said that if they go forward with the $66 million bond proposal, they would request the same millage rate of 3.9 mills, “in order to use the $66 million for fund a lot of improvements.” Wilkinson said they would use the bond money, if approved, for further building security, roof replacement at school buildings and parking lot improvements, as well as other needs. “Some of the things weren’t included in our last millage request,” Wilkinson said. “It’s like keeping up your home. You have to do maintenance.” Piesz noted that the board has to decide whether to place the bond proposal on the May 5 ballot no later than their February 3 meeting, because ballot language must be approved 90 days before an election. May 5 is being considered as it is the same date he statewide road construction/sales tax increase is on the ballot.
B
building. What the center did request was approval for parking in additional spaces in a single family lot which is owned by the Muslim Unity Center which is slightly cut off from the center in the neighborhood; an additional 15 parking spaces to the west of the building; another variance request for extending a nonconforming use on a site with a deficient right-of-way width less than the required amount for a house of worship; and to allow parking in the front and side yard, which are not permitted in the township for houses of worship. Voelker explained that there presently is parking in front of the Muslim Unity Center, and they are seeking more parking in the front yard. Rattner told the ZBA at the meeting that the variances “are an attempt to allow citizens to continue to worship at the same building as they have for the last 20 years. By
granting these variances, it would take the cars off of the neighborhood streets and relocate them on-site, which would be a benefit to the community.” ZBA board member Justin Winkleman asked Rattner if the variances were granted, would the additional parking resolve the issue of vehicles parking on neighborhood streets. Rattner said it would. “They’ve grown tremendously,” said Roncelli. “They’ve outgrown their facility, and they’ve outgrown it in a residential neighborhood. They’ve been parking on the side streets, the grass. They bought a corner lot, but they’re not allowed to park there, at least without a variance.” At the meeting, residents spoke both for and against approving the variances, with the ZBA ultimately granting approval to the variance requests by a vote of 5-2. Brannock, who filed suit against
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the township, declined to speak to Downtown until he had spoken with his attorneys, but said they had no issue with center itself. “We view them as neighbors, but it’s an overuse of the property.” According to the lawsuit, Roncelli said, Brannock and the homeowner’s association is questioning how the township can approve variances to the property when the Unity Center never met 23 conditions required of them by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees in December 1993. The Muslim Unity Center purchased the former Irving Elementary School from the Pontiac School District, and has improved the facility and site several times since. Among the 23 conditions are no expansions of the building, no additional outdoor lighting, that drainage plans must meet the township’s approval and landscaping changes. Bloomfield Township has 21 days from receipt of the suit to file a written response with the court.
Rizzo chosen as city single waste hauler Bloomfield Hills city commissioners unanimously authorized city manager Jay Cravens to enter into negotiations with Rizzo Services to be the city’s single municipal waste hauler at their meeting on Tuesday, January 13. In November, Bloomfield Hills voters approved a proposal to permit their city commissioners to adopt an ordinance to competitively bid and hire a single waste hauler for the city. For decades, Bloomfield Hills residents have hired their own solid waste and recyclable haulers, at their own cost. While residents will still pay for the removal of all waste and recyclables, and pay the waste hauler directly, having numerous different waste haulers with their large trucks on city roads every day have become a problem, causing significant wear and tear to the roads, whether they are main roads or side streets, Cravens had pointed out. Rizzo Environmental Services, which provides waste hauling and recycling to neighboring Bloomfield Township, was recommended over two other waste haulers by a subcommittee that was created at a previous city commission meeting . 81
One incentive to choosing Rizzo was a five-year flat fee, as well as a senior discount. Cravens will now work to negotiate a contract with them, with an anticipated start date of April 1, city clerk Amy Burton said. Residents will have ended their individual waste hauling contracts by then.
Bloomfield officials meet with DTE After discovering a wide swath of trees clear-cut along Kensington Road in Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills by DTE and subcontractors working for the utility, Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie and Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens met with representatives of the utility on Friday, December 19, to discuss the scope of the project and determine restoration and remediation plans for residents, and the project has been halted for the time being. Savoie said the two-hour meeting was fruitful, and he believed DTE would proceed with caution in future clearing endeavors. Savoie and Cravens were joined by DTE officials, Tom Trice, township public works director, and Patti Voelker, township planner, on site following an effort by DTE to alleviate excessive power outages in the eastern portion of Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township. Called “Ground to Sky” by DTE, meaning they were clear-cutting all trees and vegetation from the ground to the sky to keep trees and limbs away from power lines in an effort to avoid future power outages. DTE spokesman Joe Robinson, part of the vegetation management team for DTE on site on Kensington Road, said the tree clear cutting was a very targeted plan based on nine power outages the area had experienced in 2014. “It was one of the worstperforming areas we had, and we are marking the most unreliable areas with over-line corridor trimming or removal,” Robinson said. “This will continue for trees within the corridor.” Residents were enraged to discover contractors completely removing large, decades-old trees from their yards, asserting they had not been notified. Letters had gone out alerting them of tree trimming, and they came out to discover only 82
Two restaurants set for Palladium By Lisa Brody
he former Chen Chow space in downtown Birmingham will see new life as not one, but two, new restaurants by next summer, according to Chef Zack Sklar of Peas & Carrots Hospitality, who said that one restaurant will be a classic Italian restaurant, while the other will be a French brasserie. Located at 260 N. Old Woodward Avenue in the Palladium Building, Chen Chow closed in July 2013. In March 2014, The Palladium building was sold to Bloomfield Hills’ A.F. Jonna Development and Management Co. Jordan Jonna confirmed that Peas & Carrots Hospitality has signed a lease with them for the location, and said he believes the timetable to open next summer is realistic. “We’re in active demolition and we’re moving quick,” Jonna said. The underground level, which will provide parking for some building tenants, is almost completed. “We’re just demolishing the underground and cutting a hole for access to the street. It’s almost done.” Sklar said he anticipates opening the two new restaurants, which will share a rear kitchen but will divide the space into two completely separate areas with their own open preparation kitchens and bars. While neither restaurant yet has been named, Sklar said the Italian restaurant “will be old school, Brooklyn Italian, with hero sandwiches, baked clams, spaghetti and meatballs.” He expects it to accommodate 120 guests at a time. The French restaurant will have a “Balthazar-feel”, he said of the New York brasserie restaurant, and will likely feature steak frites, trout almondine, roasted chicken, steak tartare, “and it will be burger heaven,” Sklar said. “We’re going to have unbelievable burgers.” There will be about 80 seats in the French restaurant. Both locations are being designed out of Chicago by 555 Design.
T
stumps left instead of trimmed trees. While Bloomfield Hills’ Cravens said he had been working with DTE for several months, through midNovember, about outages in the area, “We had been interested in meeting with them to have other options like raising power lines above the trees, or burying lines, where feasible,” Cravens said. The next meeting between the municipalities and DTE was to take place in early January, at which discussions will continue over if more clear cutting can or will occur, and where and how residents will be compensated. “My number one efforts are for those residents who back up to Kensington Road and other residential streets,” Savoie said. “These trees have been planted over the years to provide them with privacy and I want that privacy restored.” Robinson said customer reforestation is planned, at DTE’s expense, most likely in the spring. They will work with local nurseries to provide customers with appropriate species that will not grow into power lines.
On Jan. 20, attorney Geoffrey Feiger filed a $54 million suit against DTE and Davey Tree in circuit court on behalf of residents for their “scorched earth campaign”.
Gerber now director of treasurer/finance Birmingham city commissioners unanimously concurred with city manager Joe Valentine’s appointment of assistant finance director Mark Gerber as the finance director and treasurer, effective January 17, at their meeting on Monday, January 12. Valentine said he was making the appointment because current finance director Sharon Ostin “will be leaving after 25 years of service to the community. During that time, she has made significant contributions in the form of our budgeting and our financial procedures. She is retiring as of Friday, January 16.” Valentine said they conducted an internal review to replace Ostin, and interviewed, along with Plante
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Moran, the single applicant, who was Gerber. “We had a pretty in-depth conversation and, as a result, I’m confidant in the recommendation I am making to appoint Mr. Gerber to the position,” Valentine said. Commissioners unanimously concurred with Valentine’s appointment of Gerber by a vote of 6-0, with commissioner Scott Moore not in attendance. “A very enthusiastic yes,” commissioner Gordon Rinschler said. “I’m very happy you’ll remain with us,” said mayor Stuart Sherman.
Sign rules change for vacant store sites Vacant storefronts or stores under construction can now cover their windows, as long as it is in good taste, after Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved on Monday, January 12, a sign ordinance amendment to add vacant window covering standards to the city’s sign ordinance. Birmingham Senior Planner Matt Baka explained to commissioners that up until this point, “when a storefront is vacant or under construction, there really are no guidelines that allows them to cover their windows. Typically, a business will do this on their own. The city supports this because we don’t want to see construction or a vacant store that’s in disarray. We’d prefer they’d have a nice clean covering. This ordinance allows that.” Baka said that this ordinance amendment had been discussed for a few years between the city’s Principal Shopping District (PSD), design review board and historical preservation board, and it was finally decided it was best to keep it simple. “They can cover their windows and use images, but they have to limit the text they put on the covering to whatever is allowed for the operating business, which is 12 square feet in the downtown, or 18 square feet on Woodward.” He said graphics could be utilized if they were tasteful. No permits will be required and enforcement will be done by staff and the city’s code enforcement officer. 02.15
LEGACY JEWELRY IS ANTIQUE JEWELRY
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248.723.9975 Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays by Special Appointment www.legacyestatejewelry.com mrlegacyjewelry@gmail.com
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ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND ESTATE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SECOND GENERATION NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY; PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
- NEW LISTING -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $8,750,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 3 Half Baths 8,540 Square Feet MLS# 214084019
Magnificent Wallace Frost-designed French manor on 2.5 acres of immaculate gardens and spectacular views of Lower Long Lake. Floating curved limestone staircase. All bedrooms have lake views. Two screened lakeside pavilions.
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $6,875,000 6 Bedrooms 7 Full, Half Baths 8,741 Square Feet MLS# 215003804
Exquisite Mediterranean 2+ acre estate on hilltop setting. Quality finishes throughout. Outstanding chef ’s kitchen opens to family room with floorto-ceiling windows. Stunning glass surrounded rotunda. 4-car heated garage. Magnificent grounds.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,499,000 - ALSO AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 5,600 Square Feet MLS# 214084860
One-of-a-kind expanded and renovated landmark estate on 2+ beautifully manicured acres. Design lends itself to either contemporary or traditional lifestyles. An open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows offers an abundance of natural light.
BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE | $1,399,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,192 Square Feet MLS# 214086802
Wonderful new construction by Mark Richard Homes. Outstanding craftsmanship & high-end materials throughout. Stunning chef ’s kitchen opens to family room. Private master retreat. Flexible loft space & 2nd floor laundry. Private yard.
For more information, visit CindyKahn.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Cindy Obron Kahn realtor
248.568.7309 cindy@cindykahn.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,395,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,500 Square Feet MLS# 214095397
New construction on beautiful 1+ acre lot. Outstanding craftsmanship. 3-car garage. Birmingham schools.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,299,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,349 Square Feet MLS# 214118506
Classic 1890 lakefront farmhouse renovated top to bottom. Add’l Lower Long Lake parcel included. No detail overlooked!
Co-listed with Jenny Turner of SKBK
CLARKSTON $995,000 6 Bedrooms 5 Full, 1 Half Baths 8,208 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214124407
Private country estate on 32+ park-like acres. Pastures, dressage arena, horse barn & tack room. Beautifully finished walkout lower level.
Co-listed with Frank & Julie Flynn
- NEW PRICE -
- SALE PENDING -
- AVAILABLE FOR LEASE -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $949,000
BIRMINGHAM $318,000
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $5250/month
4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,349 Square Feet MLS# 214118506
Unique, light-filled Hills of 2 Bedrooms Lone Pine detached condo. 3 Full Baths 2nd floor apartment. Solarium 1,321 Sq. Ft. with built-in pool. 1st floor MLS# 214128888 master. 2nd kitchen.
TOP PRODUCER 2005-2014
Top 1% of Realtors Nationally
Walk to downtown or the Rail District. Eat-in cherry kitchen. Spacious master with sitting area. Finished lower level. Large deck.
Top Agent 2012-13
4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 3,392 Square Feet MLS# 214112057
2011-2013
Perfect 1+ acre treed lot with Birmingham Schools. Redone in 2014. 1st floor master and fantastic new kitchen. Great yard!
$40 Million Sold in 2014
Meredith Colburn, associate broker Nanci J. Rands, associate broker
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,895,000 3 or 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,065 Square Feet MLS# 214049852
Historic property overlooking Wing Lake, completely restored & expanded in 2001. Vintage elegance with contemporary additions. Tumbled travertine floors. 1st floor master suite. Cook’s kitchen. Wine cellar. Finished lower level.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,599,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,257 Square Feet MLS# 214109827
Phenomenal 2005 brick and stone stunner on a private landscaped site with saltwater pool. Gourmet kitchen. Master suite with Trek deck. All bedrooms have private baths. Walkout LL has movie theater and fitness room. 4-car garage.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,495,000 6 Bedrooms 7 Full, 1 Half Baths 6,758 Square Feet MLS# 214096401
Spectacular estate property on 3.73 private acres just off Vaughan Road. Refined living spaces made complete by large pool, tennis and all-sports courts. Updated 1,500 sq. ft. guest house with expansive roof deck. 3-car garage.
BIRMINGHAM | $589,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,094 Square Feet MLS# 214104093
Charming Cape Cod on an expansive lot, 70’ x 236’. Hardwood floors and inviting living spaces throughout. Master suite with sitting alcove. Finished lower level with rec room and wine cellar. Heated 4-seasons sun room. Quarton Elementary.
The real difference in Real Estate
RandsColburn.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Nanci J. Rands
Meredith Colburn
associate broker
associate broker
248.701.9000
248.762.5319
nrands@hallandhunter.com
mcolburn@hallandhunter.com
Just a few of our 2014 SALES LD SO
LD SO
BIRMINGHAM Pierce Street | $1,450,000
LD SO
BLOOMFIELD HILLS Lone Pine Ct. | $1,999,000
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BLOOMFIELD TWP. Brookside | $995,000
BLOOMFIELD HILLS Lone Pine Road | $1,249,000
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BIRMINGHAM Hawthorne | $1,095,000
LD O S
Martell – Bloomfield Hills Frank Street – Birmingham Wallace – Birmingham Fox Club – Farmington Hills
BLOOMFIELD HILLS Guilford | $1,999,900
LD SO
BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE Covington | $1,100,000
LD O S
BIRMINGHAM Lakeview | $798,000
LD SO
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BLOOMFIELD TWP. Brightmore | $865,000
LD O S
BLOOMFIELD TWP. Hidden Woods | $383,000
BLOOMFIELD TWP. N. Harsdale | $725,000
Lochridge – Bloomfield Twp. Sunningdale Drive – Bloomfield Twp. Woodlands Trail – Bloomfield Twp. Willow Lane – Birmingham Bradway – Bloomfield Village Townsend – Birmingham Lahser – Bloomfield Hills Baffin Drive – Franklin
We look forward to assisting you in 2015!
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500
Hall & Hunter Realtors recognizes
Susan Hill for her outstanding service as a Birmingham School Board Member during the last eight years. We are proud of the contributions Susan has made to both the community and Hall & Hunter, and we wish her continued success in her real estate career.
Susan can be reached at:
(248) 229-1399 shill@hallandhunter.com
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com
Lynda Schrenk realtor
248.760.6026 lschrenk@hallandhunter.com
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $3,200,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,806 Square Feet MLS# 214101406
Exquisite country estate overlooking Bloomfield Hills Country Club features gated private yard with professional landscaping, lighting, pool, sports court, fire pit. Chef ’s kitchen opens to family room and pool. Two story foyer opens to great room with sweeping views of golf course. Retreat into the master suite with dual closet and marble bath with Euro shower and steam. Spacious 1st floor laundry and 2nd floor laundry convenience. Solid 9’ core doors throughout, family room with ceiling-to-floor stone fireplace and solid wood beams. Lower level offers abundant daylight windows, gym, steam bath and bar.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Lanie Hardy Cosgrove realtor
248.703.1105 lcosgrove@hallandhunter.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,350,000 6 Bedrooms 7 Full, 1 Half Baths 11,885 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215003693
Quality stone manor with European flair on almost 4-acre private setting with spring-fed pond and river. Exquisite views from hilltop setting. Almost 12,000 square feet of custom, elegant living space with plaster walls and wide plank hardwood floors. Gourmet kitchen with granite island adjoins family room. Luxury master with dual vanities and walkin closets. All bedrooms are suites with possible 1st floor master. 11 fireplaces. The walkout lower level includes a kitchen, 2 bedrooms, exercise room, rec room and bath. Walk to Cranbrook. Sports court. Ready for pool.
BIRMINGHAM | $1,199,000 6 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,600 Square Feet MLS# 214112725
The opportunity of a lifetime: landmark Quarton Lake beauty on 1 1/2 lots on one of Birmingham’s nicest streets. Two covered porches – one is screened with marble floor. Inviting and gracious rooms and dual stairways. Multiple fireplaces. Kitchen with quaint breakfast room and exciting expansion possibilities adjoins family room. Master with marble bath & balcony. Unique private-access wing has unlimited potential for au pair, in-laws or office, additional bedrooms or separate apartment. 3+ car garage. Newer sewer line & roof. Walk to Quarton Elementary, parks and downtown.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Ginny Fisher realtor
248.593.0518 gfisher@hallandhunter.com
BIRMINGHAM | $2,200,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,913 Square Feet MLS# 215001343
Sophisticated French Manor home in the heart of downtown. Dramatic foyer with breathtaking elliptical staircase. 1st floor master with spacious Italian glass-tiled bath. Beautifully detailed lower level. Fenced & gated yard with paver stone patio.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,699,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,385 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214050438
- RESIDENTIAL OR VACANT LAND -
- ALSO FOR LEASE AT $3900/MONTH -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $995,000 5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,694 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214121370
Pristine executive retreat in private gated enclave on ravine setting. Renovated Millennium cherry kitchen opens to family room. Finished walkout lower level with possible 5th bedroom. Lower paver terraces and expansive decks. 4-car garage.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $775,000
Acre+ setting in prestigious 5 Bedrooms Rudgate sub minutes from 4 Full, 2 Half Baths Cranbrook. Oversized 3,848 Square Feet kitchen. Screened Florida room. Finished walkout LL. MLS# 214125231
FRANKLIN VILLAGE $749,900
Private setting deep in sub. 3 Bedrooms Great room opens to patio 3 Full Baths with stone amphitheater2,791 Square Feet style seating. Expansive master suite. Finished LL. MLS# 214101479
Renovate or build your dream home on 3+ private acres. River at far back, pond & barn. Existing home is solid mid-century modern.
For more information, visit GinnyFisherHomes.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Adam Waechter associate broker
313.801.8018 akwhallandhunter@gmail.com
- SALE PENDING -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS $3,349,000 Extraordinary 3.93 acre estate built by Mosher Dolan & designed by ArtHarrison. Master suite retreat. 4000 sq. ft. LL.
5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 12,845 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214105129
BIRMINGHAM $1,424,000 2 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,384 Square Feet MLS# 214122654
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $689,000
Luxury in-town townhouse 5 Bedrooms with magnificent details & 4 Full, 2 Half Baths light-filled rooms. Elevator 3,611 Square Feet services all levels. 5 fireplaces. MLS# 215001256 Heated 3-car garage.
Almost an acre in Berkshire Villas sub. Eat-in gourmet kitchen. Finished LL adds 1550+ sq. ft. Backyard is entertainer’s dream!
- NEW LISTING -
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $589,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,068 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214125317
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $575,000
Updated (2012) home on 5 Bedrooms 1.69 private acres. Chalmer 3 Full, 2 Half Baths Lake access & swimming 3,375 Square Feet privileges. Large kitchen MLS# 214100453 with fireplace. Finished LL.
Tranquil setting with 1st floor master leading to deck. 1st & 2nd floor laundry. Finished LL. 5-car garage. Whole house generator.
ROYAL OAK $194,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 1,149 Square Feet MLS# 215002067
N. Royal Oak ranch with open, bright living space. Finished LL with bar area. Fenced yard with large deck and in-ground pool.
For more information, visit AdamWaechter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Lynn Baker & Deby Gannes 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com
CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com
What to Consider when Choosing a Realtor: v Where is the agent(s)’ maximum internet exposure?
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $1,199,900 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,672 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214068444
Goodison Place backing to woods & Wyngate Golf Club. 1st floor master suite. Finished walkout LL. Blue stone decks & water feature.
v How long have they been in business? Is this their fulltime career? v How large is their Relocation Network? v In how many Real Estate Boards will your listing appear?
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $1,149,000 5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,998 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214105606
Half-acre+ site with views of private pond and conservation area. Master suite with exercise/bonus room. Walkout lower level.
v How many closed transactions did they have last year? v What is their success rate in selling their own listings?
TROY $974,900 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 3 Half Baths 6,727 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214121017
Bailey's Vineyard sub with Bloomfield Hills Schools. Sweeping staircase. 2-story great room. 1st floor master suite. Finished walkout LL.
v What marketing materials can you review? v How often will feedback on showings and market review will be communicated to you? And by whom?
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $634,900 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,423 Square Feet MLS# 214102367
Gated golf community minutes from everything. Amazing details in every room. Fountain, waterfall & fire pit. Heated 3-car garage.
We've been the Top Listor of the Year and among Top Producers at Hall & Hunter Realtors for the last decade and named Hour Detroit magazine’s Real Estate All-Stars – the top 5% of Michigan realtors with the highest sales volumes.
Let us show you how our real estate expertise in the tri-county area can work for you!
For more information, visit LynnandDeby.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500
Kevin Conway
Tammy Herndandez realtor
realtor 248.330.3324
248. 633.6654
kconway@hallandhunter.com
thernandez@hallandhunter.com
BIRMINGHAM | $1,225,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,983 Square Feet MLS# 214118341
Custom built in 2000 on spacious lot close to Birmingham Country Club Golf Course. Cook’s kitchen joins great room with access to terrace and private yard. 1st floor laundry. Attached 3-car garage. Birmingham Schools.
- NEW PRICE -
BIRMINGHAM | $730,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,910 Square Feet MLS# 215004346
Landmark English cottage in prime Poppleton Park location. Spacious cook’s kitchen with fireplace. Vaulted living room with French doors to terrace and large private yard. Expansive master suite. 500-bottle wine cellar.
BIRMINGHAM | $1,200,000 3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,136 Square Feet MLS# 214115370
Sophisticated Quarton Lake Estates home with 1st floor master suite featuring new bath with heated floors. Gorgeous kitchen. Open spaces ideal for entertaining. Lower level offers personal gym & wine storage. Heated garage.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500 Amy Zimmer & Tiffany Glime
Susan Hill realtor 248.225.1399 shill@hallandhunter.com
248.469.6430 azimmer@hallandhunter.com
248.930.5656 tglime@hallandhunter.com
BIRMINGHAM | $234,900 3 Bedrooms 1 Full, 1 Half Baths 1,134 Square Feet MLS# 214123571
Charming bungalow with an artist’s flair! Sunny eat-in kitchen adjoins living area. 2-car garage is currently art studio, but can easily be converted back. Private back yard. New sewer line to street. Walk to town/Rail District.
- NEW LISTING -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $449,000
BEVERLY HILLS | $255,000
5068vanness.ePropertySites.com
3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 1,172 Square Feet MLS# 215003077
Updated brick ranch with granite & stainless steel eat-in kitchen. Updated granite baths. The finished carpeted basement doubles the home’s living area. Fenced back yard. 3-season enclosed porch. Birmingham schools.
5 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,429 Square Feet MLS# 215001471
Move right into this impeccable and meticulously maintained colonial with many updates and renovations on a beautiful elevated setting! Fantastic kitchen with granite counters, pennisula and informal dining area.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com
IT'S TIME TO CREATE YOUR VISION Visionary Cabinetry & Design provides a full-service design experience. From conceptual designs to materials selection our experts help you every step of the way. Schedule your design consultation today. Let’s create your vision.
248.850.7178
429 South Main Street, Clawson
www.visionarycabinetry.com
BUSINESS MATTERS Second Townhouse site What owner Jeremy Sasson calls Townhouse 2.0 is an expansion of the popular Townhouse restaurant located at 180 Pierce Street at Martin in downtown Birmingham into downtown Detroit at the One Detroit Center building. Where the interior of the Birmingham locale is truly petite, expanding in the spring and summer months with spacious and desirable outdoor seating, Townhouse Detroit will be the opposite – an 8,000 square foot restaurant with 100 seats housed in a greenhouse-like building and patio area with a fully-retractable ceiling that will provide open air dining in nice weather. “It will allow customers to enjoy the Townhouse experience year round and enjoy the sensation of outdoor dining,” Sasson said. “It lets us stay in tune with what is happening, to be intimate and contract when we need to or busy and grow when the opportunity warrants.” Outdoor fire pits and separate bars in the seasonal patios will provide another 60 spots for outdoor dining. Plans include an open kitchen and a bar that will be stocked with more than 350 whiskeys. Sasson
downtownpublications.com
said he hopes to begin construction in May and to open shortly thereafter.
Varsity Shop moving The Varsity Shop, a 61-year-old institution at the corner of Pierce and Merrill streets in Birmingham, is making a temporary move to 623 S. Adams Road into the Adams Square Shopping Center at the end of February. “We’re moving into the old Aco Hardware space. It’s a temporary move,” said owner Marc Secontine, assuring shoppers that all of their merchandise will stay the same. Secontine said a year ago, a boiler burst in the building, which he owns, and after inspectors, insurance people and environmental inspectors examined the building, it was determined that it would be best to move out of the building in order to do construction. “We have to move out because of asbestos on the second floor. It’s a 1920s building, and once construction begins, who knows what could be uncovered,” he said. “The game plan is to eventually come back, but there’s no time plan.” The Varsity Shop at Adams Square will be 7,500 square feet, a full 2,500 square feet larger than the current space, and will offer free parking. Secontine intends to
recreate the look and feel of his current store, with wider aisles and higher ceilings, and perhaps less clutter. “We’re going to put a lot of history in there,” he said, noting that the former owner of the old 220 restaurant gave them the old stained wood glass door. “It’s gorgeous, it’s solid oak. That’ll be our front door. We’re putting in a wood walkway in the center of the store, and crown molding throughout. There’ll be a lot of bead board in the offices and the checkouts, and a lot of old pendant lighting with caging throughout the store.” Secontine assured shoppers and residents that generations of pictures of championship teams will be brought over to the new store, as well. “I’m still working on transporting the smell of our store,” he laughed. “It’s going to be beautiful for as long as we’re there.”
their health routine.” The philosophy of The Joint is similar to a gym membership. “We make regular chiropractic care an affordable and accessible part of your everyday routine. No appointments. No insurance required,” said Ava Church, manager. Patients first visit with Dr. Caldwell for an introductory exam and evaluation, where he creates the individualized course of treatment. From there, patients can just walk in for adjustments, with evening and weekend hours available. The first visit is $19; monthly membership options include $49 a month for up to four visits a month. “It’s generally less than an insurance co-pay,” said Stacy Lantzy, co-manager. For more information, visit thejoint.com.
Chiropractic clinic open
Store closing
The Joint: The Chiropractic Place has opened at 3596 W. Maple at Lahser in Bloomfield Township next to Embers Deli, with a focus of preventative health and wellness through affordable chiropractic care. Chiropractor Dr. Clinton Caldwell Jr. owns the clinic, whose emphasis is for “people who think they want to include chiropractic care as part of
Closet Interiors, located at 36260 Woodward in Bloomfield Hills, has closed.
DOWNTOWN
Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.
97
40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON!
THE SOLDIER’S SOL TTALE ALE BIRMINGHAM BIRMING BLOOMFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
“No one e can hhave it all, that is forbidden. You must lea learn arn to choose between.” MUSIC DIRECTOR
John ohnn Thomas Thom Dodson, Conductor
Friday, y, March Marc 20, 2015 – 8:00 PM
Photo: Jean Luc Fievet
WITH THE
Music Director John Thomas Dodson
CONCERT CONCER RT PROGRAM PROGRAM
SStravinsky: travinsky :
The Soldier’s Soldier’s T Tale Taale with with na narration rration
Planterra Conservatory TICKETS:
$25 – $35
&&REE 6ALET 0ARKING s #ASH "AR REE 6ALET 0ARKING s #ASH "AR
FOR TICKETS: 248.352.BBSO
(2276)
www.BBSO.or www.BBSO.org g
Scan mobile code with your smart phone for concert info.
7315 Drake Road, W West est Bloomfield
www.facebook.com/BBSO.LIVE Like us on
Tradition... MOVING FORWARD JOIN US FOR A ROMANTIC EVENING AT THE RESERVE! Saturday, February 14, 2015 • 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cocktail Hour – 7:00 p.m. Passed Hors D'oeuvres, Passed Champagne Dinner – 8:00 p.m. First Course Apple Salad Crisp Greens, Granny Smith, Walnut Brie, Celery Seed Dressing Main Course Filet and Lobster Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Gratin Potato, Almond Beans, Lobster Tail Grand Sweets Table for Dessert Unlimited champagne, coffee, tea and soft drinks included in package. Cash bar will be available. Evening festivities also include live entertainment by CEYX. $125 per person inclusive of tax, tip and valet. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bigrockchophouse.com
Big Rock Chophouse will be serving our regular menu with Valentine’s Day specials on Friday and Saturday night.
34965 Woodward Ave Birmingham 248 644 5222 peabodysrestaurant.com
BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE AND THE RESERVE • 248.647.7774 245 AND 375 SOUTH ETON STREET, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 98
DOWNTOWN
02.15
PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.
220: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday Saturday. 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. 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. 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.
downtownpublications.com
Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766. Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200. 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. Alcohol. Reservations. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Also 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Forest Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400. Fuddrucker’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Beer & wine. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Liquor. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. Hogan’s Restaurant: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.1800. Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111. Hunter House Hamburgers: American. Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369. IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522. Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800. Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast,
JANUARY 26-30 FEBRUARY 2-6 LUNCH $15 DINNER $30 BirminghamRestaurantWeek.org facebook.com/EnjoyBirminghamNOW
Free deck parking for the first 2 hours.
DOWNTOWN
PARKMOBILE TECHNOLOGY at ALL downtown parking meters! Register at www.parkmobile.com
99
under new management february 15-28 6am-11am
it's on us free coffee enjoy a grande
with the purchase of any breakfast entree. restrictions apply.
hours: 6am-9pm weekdays 7am-9pm weekends 101 N. OLD WOODWARD, BIRMINGHAM
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 Jill Cesarz for advertising rate information. O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 600 C: 248.860.8414 JillCesarz@downtownpublications.com
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Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.647.3400. Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6051. Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953. MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913. New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181. Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor 2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. Nosh & Rye Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923. Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500. Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775. Panera Bread: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877. Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222. Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122. Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999. Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield
DOWNTOWN
Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6200. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sanders: American. Lunch, daily. No reservations. 167 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.3215. Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300. Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. The Corner Bar: American. Dinner. Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958. The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313. The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688. The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.4237. Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241. 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.
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AT THE TABLE Forest Grill: concept right, but execution uneven By J. March
Forest Grill in Birmingham, opened in 2008 by acclaimed Chef Brian Polcyn, was named Restaurant of the Year by Hour Magazine in 2009, then again in 2010 by the Detroit Free Press. Not surprising considering Chef Polcyn has worked at, owned and operated over six restaurants during a 25-year year career. From The Golden Mushroom to Pike Street to Five Lakes Grill, Polcyn has created a name for himself with classically prepared food and a master hand at charcuterie. Recently, Nick Janutol has taken over the reigns at Forest Grill and been named Chef de Cuisine. Janutol is a native of Michigan, but studied at the CIA in New York and manned the kitchen at 11 Madison Park and later at L2O in Chicago. Janutol is a simple chef with local on the mind and a desire to find good food and format it in “an original way”. The menu is a testimony to that with just the right amount of choices and the simplest of preparations. For those who haven’t been, expect a small dining room with clean lines, wicker furniture and a partially open kitchen. The bar is the focal point and is gorgeous in all of its simplicity. Without looking at the cocktail list I ordered the usual and was treated with one proper Negroni. Beef Carpaccio caught my eye immediately as it is not only my absolute favorite but hard to find on most menus. However, I passed this over in leiu of the Porchetta Carpaccio listed with the Charcuterie selections. Boneless pork wrapped in fat, herbs and skin, sliced thin and served with Sauce Gribiche, who wouldnt want that? As it turns out, me. Parts of the Porchetta were stringy, while others were almost dry. When I did find a luscious creamy bite, it was in need of the mustard and capers that are usually in a gribiche but undetectable in this one. I was glad that I tried it and can admit that perhaps this was something I have never had, prepared exactly as it should be, and it just wasn’t my cup of pig. Respite came in the form of a soft boiled farm egg wrapped in brix dough. After twenty minutes on Google and a mass text to my culinary friends, not one person knew what brix dough was. Thanks to an amazingly food savvy friend, I was steered toward Brik which is a Tunisian dish of thin pastry wrapped around a filling, then deep fried. Since this sounded exactly like what I had, I can only assume that I was fooled by either phonetic trickery or flat out bad spelling. Either way, the dish was my favorite of the night. The egg was cooked perfect, the dough was crispy and the forest mushrooms and madeira sabayon added an earthy creaminess. I moved on to the Grilled Salsify. In full disclosure, I had to again refer to Google as Salsify is something I have never had, nor heard of. It was described as a root vegetable belonging to the dandelion family that is also referred to as the oyster plant because of its similarity in flavor when cooked. It arrived, looking like a small, thick
branch cut into coins. A lemon puree, honey crisp apples and fennel, cleverly cut into coins as well, came on the plate. The puree was thick and slightly sweet tasting, almost like a custard. The bright apple and savory fennel went well with the puree and the Salsify itself was firm and did indeed have the briny flavors of an oyster. Lastly, from the appetizers I ordered the Pappardelle, tossed with parme-
Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent
san, kale and nutmeg cream. The pasta was beautifully made and slightly brown due to the addition of cocoa. Sadly, the kale was lost in a nutmeg cream sauce resulting in yet another dish that lacked balance and came off as heavy. With the boon of new restaurants in metro Detroit has come a class of chefs that bring with them diversity in the way of cooking methods, styles and flavor profiles. Thankfully the days of regionally specific venues have, for the most part, been left to the Olive Gardens and Outbacks of the world. Instead, they have been replaced by an idea that what is local and in season should make its way to the menu. The foundation of that is what drives the thought behind how a dish should be prepared and what flavors will work well together. Janutol is a stickler for execution. And to me, that is key. Almost anyone can take a protein and nine other ingredients and create something that will on some level taste good. Law of averages says that if you don’t like four of the ingredients, one of the other five may do the trick. To take something in its pure form and meticulously prepare it so that it is at the pinnacle of flavor and texture is not only what matters most, but is sadly done the least. I attribute this to many things. First and foremost, volume. To obtain this utopia is no easy feat when on many nights it has to be executed for fifty or more people. Delegation. One chef with one vision who has to not only teach several others to do it but entrust that they will every single time regardless of who is watching. Variables. The components
of a dish can be compromised by about fifteen different people. From clean plates that are the right temperature, the consistency of how the ingredients are prepped, the way the expeditor trays the food, the amount of time it takes a runner to deliver it, to how the dish is explained to a guest. All of these things have a hand. Not only is it easy to see why it is rarely practiced but as I type this I almost feel guilty for even having the audacity to criticize. Almost. The point of all of this is that Janutol’s menu reads exactly as it should and has all of the things I just spoke of in mind. Eight entree choices that are appropriate for the season, prepared with few ingredients and classic cooking methods. Sadly, somewhere along the line someone dropped the ball. The Grilled Sturgeon with black trumpet mushrooms and porcini tea was overcooked and dry and the mushrooms were macerated to the point that the texture was so soft I thought there was cooked spinach in the mix. The leek garnish added to the presentation, but was again overcooked and soft in the middle. The Lacquered Pig Cheek with broccoli puree and five spice was moist and tender with a gaminess to it that I was not expecting. The flavors from the five spices went with the cheek but the puree looked and tasted like baby food. Again, both dishes great in conception, not so great in execution. The Cheescake Panna Cotta with pecan crumble, apricot puree and pomegranate lime gel was only second to the Farm Egg with the rich flavor of cheesecake and roundness of perfect execution. The crumble added texture which I loved and the puree and gel, a hint of fruit and acid. The dessert list is sparse but original with Brioche Monkey Bread for Two, Bonet and an Almond Gateau. I also love the offering of the Chinato Shake and plan on returning for that alone. The drink menu is filled with the classics like Last Word, Pisco Sour and Rob Roy, but also has some original creations with seasonally appropriate shrubs like cranberry and carrot and a beet brine from The Brinery. The wines by the glass offered a Roussane which I was more than happy to see. Outside of that, the list was long, boring and showy. Small menu, clean space, simple food. Why you need a 150 bottles to compliment a menu with less than 30 items is beyond me. Clearly, I was underwhelmed by Forest Grill. Could be because of all of the early hype; could be because of the variables I spoke of earlier; could be because a new breed of chefs have changed the face of dining. Either way, though Polcyn’s name may carry the space for awhile, sooner or later people will see the trees and not just the Forest. Forest Grill,735 Forest Ave.,Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400. Dinner ($23-$32), 5 p.m – 11 pm. Monday through Saturday. Reservations recommended. Street and lot parking available. Handicap accessible. J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant industry in southeast Michigan, including certification as a sommelier. If you have short restaurant items for our Quick Bites section, e-mail to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE You Can Go Home Again Thomas Wolfe once wrote a novel titled "You Can't Go Home Again." The title emphasizes that "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood, back home to a young person’s dreams of glory and of fame, back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time – back home to the escapes of Time and Memory." However, I have come home again. And it’s never looked better. On January 5th, I returned to my hometown, Birmingham, and to The Community House (TCH) to join the very dedicated and talented TCH team, staff and volunteers, as its new President. The words "You can't go home again" have entered American speech to mean that you can't, after you have left your previous way of life, return. It is said that attempts to relive those youthful memories will always fail. Perhaps. But on my journey back, I rediscovered a city, vibrant, full of life, still offering extraordinary services, strong neighborhoods, quality schools, charming amenities and more.
Bill Seklar
And there, in the center of it all, I re-discovered TCH. My Community House, your Community House, everyone’s Community House. 92 years young and going strong. It is good to be home. As one of the oldest, self-supporting non-profit organizations in the Tri-County area, TCH has withstood the test of time. True to its mission, TCH remains “a non-profit that impacts lives through exceptional educational, social and outreach experiences.” Despite the difficult economic times we all faced, TCH, under extraordinary leadership, managed to stabilize itself by strengthening its programs and services, and introducing new programs to reach solid financial profitability. Each year TCH’s fee for services only covers 70% of its operating costs, leaving 30% to be raised via donations. Thankfully, the past few years increased support from cherished donors, supporters and corporate sponsors has allowed TCH to reach the financial stability it needed to go forward. During my tenure, it is the goal of TCH to sustain itself by replenishing its investment portfolios so that TCH’s leadership, staff and volunteers can focus their full attention on our mission of serving the community. I agree with what our new board chair, Camille Jayne, shared with you last December: 2015 is sure to be an exciting year! New at TCH: Feb 3rd: “Nothin’ but Net” Luncheon Speaker Series: Take advantage of a new six-month speaker series that’s all about net profits and networking. Local business professionals will talk on topics that have helped make them successful - topics applicable to anyone in the business world. Feb 3rd guest speaker, James Co-Founder of Shain Park Realtors, will talk on “Building Your Brand from the Ground Up.” James will give tips on how to build your personal, as well as, business brand. Thanks go to sponsors Bank of Birmingham, TAMMA Capital and Vasileff Medical Group. $20 includes a box lunch. Register at: www.tchserves.org or 248.644.5832 March 25th: TCH Center for Wealth Management Evening Panel Seminar: “Money Matters the Right Way”, 6:00-8:30pm: An evening seminar with expert panelists who will help guide you on three important topics when it comes to your money: “Who Should Inherit Your IRA?” with Dan Serlin, Partner Serlin, Trivax & Stearn; “Borrowing for Business,” with Jenny Meier, EVP, Bank of Birmingham; and “Balancing Stocks and Bonds,” with Sean Metrose, President of DeRoy Devereaux. Light refreshments. No charge, but registration is required at www.tchserves.org or 248.644.5832 William Seklar is President, The Community House downtownpublications.com
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DETROIT MARRIOTT® TROY
© 2015 Marriott International, Inc.
SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Judson Center’s A Night to Embrace 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. Judson Center’s A Night to Embrace “Cam sent me,” was the password 150 guests used to get into the Speakeasy (aka Sally Gerak Corner Bar) back door for the VIP toast preceding the Roaring 20s theme party that celebrated Judson Center’s 1924 opening. Loyalists of the social service agency knew that “Cam” is center CEO Cameron Hosner. They sipped champagne, bought raffle tickets and socialized, pausing for WWJ’s Tom Jordan’s announcement that Scott LaRiche was the lucky winner of the bottle of aged whiskey donated by Heaven Hill Distilleries. They then joined the hoi polloi (400 total) in Club Judson – a festival tent erected at the Townsend’s Merrill Street entrance. It was a jazzy scene with most guests wearing Charleston-era duds, music by Ben Sharkey, two vintage cars on exhibit, premium hooch flowing from the bars and Purple Gangsters (really volunteers) being helpful. When that party was raided (by the Lake Orion gendarmes), people scurried to the hotel ballroom for the Bootleggers Banquet, pausing to bid nearly $30,000 for the silent auction items displayed in the promenade. Before and after dinner there were moving testimonials and videos spotlighting Judson Center’s mission, especially its services to kids with autism. Then Gregory Bator conducted a brief live auction which raised nearly $30,000 and a dedicated giving session (another $30,000). Not only did the 31st annual benefit raise more than $285,000, it was one of the most entertaining parties of the charity season. Kudos to the event committee and JC’s special event manager Andrea Coronado.
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5 Bloomfield Hills Garden Club The Bloomfield Hills Garden Club (strictly speaking the Bloomfield Hills branch of the Women’s National Farm & Garden Association) was founded in 1929 by Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, who served as president of the WNF&G from 1927 to 1934. The club still thrives, providing camaraderie for its members and financial support for community horticultural projects. Debbie Erb chaired its biennial fundraiser that attracted more than 100 members and their guests ($150 & up tickets) to Bloomfield Hills Country Club. They socialized before settling at dinner tables with centerpieces made by Elise Hayes, Chris Lamarche and Cathie Pollock. After dinner, club president Lynn Ferron introduced the two leaders of the Stratford Festival, who would create “Some Enchanted Evening”, as per the invitation promise. “The Erbs are Festival addicts,” explained artistic director Antonio Cimolino by way of explaining his presence. Then he and executive director Anita Gaffney treated the garden club supporters to a delightful program of musicality, ending with “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of LaMancha”, one of the 2014 festival shows. The charming evening netted approximately $35,000 for community projects and new friends for the non-profit Stratford Festival, North America’s largest classical repertory theater. The 2015 season schedule is now available at stratfordfestival.ca/. CCFA Gala Evening at the Movies For 37 years the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America local chapter has been raising significant funds at its Gala Evening at the Movies. This year it was at the Maple Theatre for the first time. Andiamo catered splendid strolling sustenance before people convened for the program. Because his father is afflicted with IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease), emcee Fox-2’s Roop Raj once again spoke knowingly about the challenges, as did Rebecca Turner whose son is so afflicted. Many of the 450 guests downtownpublications.com
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1. Nancy (left) & David Lau of Bloomfield with Steve and Jeanne Ewing of Franklin 2. Jonathon Lau (left) of Birmingham, Jennifer & Matthew Lanfear of Troy 3. Meloney Lau (left) of Birmingham, Ryan & Megan McVicar of Royal Oak 4. Nadia (left) & Faiz Simon of Bloomfield, Bob Lott and Carol Cianciolo of Birmingham 5. Melissa Howell (left) of Clinton Twp., Pam Ritter and Mary Adams of Bloomfield 6. Anne Kern (left) of Bloomfield, Tom & Ingrid Perring of Troy 7. Carol (left) & John Aubrey of Birmingham, Mike & Deborah Savoie of Bloomfield 8. Susan & committee member Jeff Sadowski of Birmingham 9. Julia & board member Stephen Henes of Birmingham, Katie & Dave Andrea of Troy 10. David (left) & Janet Murray of Birmingham, Sue & Dave Deacon of Bloomfield
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK ($100 & up tickets) came to cheer for style guru Chuck Bennett, the event honoree, who charmed all with his acceptance speech. Dr. Steven Klein presented the Rosenthal Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to Dr. Jason Bodzin. His widow was in the audience to applaud as their son Gordon accepted it. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event raised nearly $130,000.
Bloomfield Hills Garden Club’s Some Enchanted Evening
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Women of Bloomfield 30th Anniversary Gala Dr. Carolyn Steffen chaired the Women of Bloomfield’s fourth annual dinner and auction that attracted 100 members and their guests ($65 ticket) to Bloomfield Open Hunt. It celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organization whose members share camaraderie over bridge, golf, lunch, books, Bunco, happy hour and films while supporting SCAMP and CARE House. The large silent auction ($8,250) was the subject of much attention before dinner. After dinner Elizabeth Mihalo Esquedo sang Broadway, pop and opera selections. WoB founders Jo Cetnar, Sharon Heidrich, Helen Orr and Beverly Schine also received a rose as did past presidents Cetnar, Sydrena Epstein, Sharon Heidrich, Linda Lang, Helen Orr, Terry Stacy and Sharon Ulmer. WoB membership is open to all women regardless of where one lives. Call Lora Spensley at (248) 685-3653.
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5 1. Debbie Erb (left), Cecily O’Connor, Lynn Ferron and Andy Anderson of Bloomfield. 2. Chuck & Barbara Ghesquiere of Bloomfield 3. Char Terry (left), Ellen Rogers and Maureen D’Avanzo of Bloomfield 4. Dom DiMarco (left) with Mort Harris and John Erb of Bloomfield 5. Bobbi (left) & Stephen Polk, Julie Beals and Elise Hayes of Bloomfield. 6. Ed Hagenlocker (left) and John Utley with Dick Gabrys of Bloomfield and Bill Streng of W. Bloomfield 7. Bonnie Larson and Brigitte Harris of Bloomfield 8. Patricia Nickol (left) of Birmingham, Valerie Straith, Erin DiMarco and Linda Morrow of Bloomfield
Chamber Strings & Winds 2014 Celebration Following a concert at the College for Creative Studies Taubman Center, nearly 100 of the music lovers stayed to celebrate DCWS’s 33 years of excellence. They socialized, sipped, supped, bid $5,875 in two mini auctions and donated $9,000 in dedicated giving. They also applauded three honorees: Matt Morin (Leadership Award), Plunkett Cooney (Philanthropy Award) and Douglas Cale (Founders Award). The event netted harmonious memories and $16,500. For the schedule of upcoming performances go to detroitchamberwinds.org.
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CCFA Gala Evening at the Movies
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1. Ed Welburn (left) of Bloomfield, Chuck Bennett of Detroit, Ricca Gonzalez and Kip Wasenko of Waterford 2. Sandra Moers (left) with Gordon and Katie Coleman of Bloomfield and Barb Bowman of Birmingham 3. Luciano and Monica DelSignore of Bloomfield 4. Charlene Handelman and Mark Shaevsky of Bloomfield. 5. David & Margo Grossman of Franklin
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Salvation Army London Chop House Sing-a-long The third annual revival of the old London Chop House Salvation Army fundraiser attracted 100 people to the new London Chop House to sing-a-long with Nicole New, Sandy Duncan, Valerie Straith, Tom & Diane Schoenith , Richard & Jane Manoogian, and Chop House owners the Gatzaros clan were in the crowd singing carols and, in absentia, “Happy Birthday” to Don Austin. The Austins donated $10,000 of the $50,000 the luncheon hour event raised. Go to salmich.org to add to their beneficence. 02.15
ROYAL OAK
DEER LAKE
ROYAL OAK
BIRMINGHAM
Truly amazing, one of a kind modern converted industrial space in desirable downtown Royal Oak. The home has a luxury loft feel and features aggregate concrete radiant heated floors, soaring 17 ft ceilings, lots of windows and a beautiful, private courtyard. Large, open custom commercial kitchen. Incredible master suite and master bath. Spectacular second floor terrace with room for entertaining on a grand scale. This home has been featured in many magazines and really is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Magnificent lakefront estate on 12 acres+ w/500ft of all-sports Deer Lake frontage. Beautifully landscaped/ wooded acreage with pool, private koi pond, boardwalk to sandy beach & private bay. Exquisitely constructed of full brick & Indiana Limestone. Sophisticated elegance throughout with great sightlines and an open feel.
Fantastic location in the heart of Downtown Royal Oak! This loft has extra tall ceilings, exposed ductwork and large windows. The designer kitchen with a large center island, granite counters and stainless appliances opens to the spacious living room and balcony area. Lots of natural light in this loft.
Stunning Tudor from Wellington Chase Homes on a great lot that is walking distance to downtown Birmingham. Elaborate finish carpentry, full paneled study, huge gourmet kitchen that opens to the family room and a large finished lower level. This house is very well laid out and has a fantastic master suite with a luxurious master bath.
C H R I ST I A N
G R OTHE
cgrothe@gmail.com | www.CHRISTIANGROTHE.com | 248.971.0080
275 S. OLD WOODWARD, DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM
SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Women of Bloomfield 30th Anniversary
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1. Jacqueline Kendall (left) of W. Bloomfield and Terry Stacy of Bloomfield 2. Dr. Carolyn Steffen of Birmingham 3. Sydrena with Irwin Epstein and Sharon Ulmer of Bloomfield 4. Anné Baldin left) of Bloomfield, Barbara VanDorn of Birmingham 5. Betty Riden (left) and Nancy Pavy of Bloomfield, Beverly Schine of W. Bloomfield
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In Celebration Dinner benefiting Women’s Association Boys & Girls Clubs
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1. Kim (left) & Mark Reuss with Ed Welburn and Jessie Elliott of Bloomfield 2. Event co-chairs Nancy Smith (left) of Metamora and Beth Moore of Bloomfield 3. Maurcine (left) and Lloyd Reuss of Bloomfield, Mary & Tony Barra of Northville 4. Charlene Reuss Grandelius (left), Maureen D’Avanzo and Linda Gillum of Bloomfield 5. Maria (left) & Sean Coyle and Tom & Linda Dekar of Bloomfield 6. Jennifer DeMellow (left), Anita Dauch and Kathy Martin of Bloomfield 7. Fair Radom (left) and Judie Sherman of Bloomfield 8. Christa (left) & Greg Schwartz with Bev Moore of Bloomfield 9. Len Krichko (center) of Novi with Rod Gillum (left) and Mark Reuss of Bloomfield 10. Mike Manz (left) of Akron, OH, John & Annette Kolon and Valerie Straith of Bloomfield
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Boys & Girls Clubs’ Dinner “I’m ready to take on the world,” said Keyisha Manassa, the 2012 Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year. She was speaking to the crowd of 225 gathered at Bloomfield Hills Country Club for the Women’s Association 29th annual fundraising dinner. It was chaired by Beth Moore and Nancy Smith and celebrated 2014 honorees GM VP Mark and Kim Reuss. The popular couple attracted a record crowd that included lots of GM people like current GM CEO Mary Barra, former GM president and Mark’s dad Lloyd Reuss, current vice president of design Ed Wellburn and former GM vice president Rod Gillum. The latter and his wife Linda, president of the WA, had been honored at the 2007 In Celebration Dinner. Although the guest list was high octane, the atmosphere at this event is always low key and intimate. Retired GM VP John Smith did the tribute to Mark and Kim and a surprise visit and shout out by singer Michael Bolton seemed natural. The splendid dinner was paired with Andretti wines, a gift of past event honorees Kathy and Joe Antonini. And the chairs had commissioned B & G club members to decorate the colorful birdhouse centerpieces. The only bittersweet note of the evening was a moment of silence for the recently departed Lil Erdeljan, Irma Elder, Sue Bowler and Millie Pastor. Thanks to generous sponsors. the event raised an all time high of more than $183,000 for 10 southeast Michigan clubs. Teens 4 Arts An aura of excitement reigned at Orchard Lake Country Club the night some 250 people of all ages gathered there to be entertained by teens. The performers were the energetic talents from Detroit’s award-winning Mosaic Youth Theatre and local teens: Noah Eisenberg, Eloise Alterman, Sloan Kiriluk, Katie Johnstone, Grace Giampetroni, Brooke Ballard, Coli Ballard, Meredith Mackey, Hadley Hrdlicka, Olivia Cassar and Cassidy Campanale. Cassidy’s dad, Frank, accompanied the girls on his guitar. They were all in the limelight on a stage set up in the dining room. Kids’ activities and strolling 02.15
food stations were also ongoing around the club, but watching the talented teens was the evening’s focus. Thanks also to generous sponsorships, Teens 4 the Arts advisors Kathy Broock Ballard and Nicole Eisenberg were able to give Mosaic founder/director Rick Sperlin a check for $76,000. The next MYT public performance is March 8 at Music Hall Center. For information, go to mosaicdetroit.org. Brother Rice Boutique & Crafts Patricia Heacock and Kathleen Murnen chaired the eighth annual Brother Rice Mothers’ Club’s scholarship fundraiser. It offered great shopping at 49 vendor boutiques, a raffle, wine and appetizers and desserts catered by school parents. The fun evening resulted in some $11,000 for scholarship aid to students in need. Brother Rice parents, alums and alum parents reconvened at Birmingham Country Club for the annual holiday social that generates spirit and donations for the Irish Nite auction. Hosted by Arlene & Ken Alessi, Michelle & Chris Lievois ‘83, and Susan & Bill Reid, it attracted nearly 250 including the honorary chairs of 2015 Irish Nite - Gwen & Doug North and Jeanine & Joe Lunghamer. The granddaddy of area school auctions is slated for Saturday, March 14 at the school. Founders Junior Council’s Art Seen More than 120 mostly younger art lovers convened at the DIA for the Founders Junior Council social that previewed “Photographs from the Detroit Walk-in Portrait Studio by Corine Vermuelen.” Curator Nancy Barr provided insight before guests went in to view the exhibit. The artist and some of her subjects were also on hand. Anne Strickland and Justin Jacobs chaired the informal evening that featured the Art-Seen tini by mixologists from Beam Suntory, music by DJ Mike “Agent X” Clark and quintessential Detroit comestibles like Buddies pizza, Vernor’s floats and Sanders bumpy cake. The exhibition, which was commissioned by the Detroit Institute of Arts to tell Detroiters’ stories about the city, will be on view through May 17, 2015. For information about the FJC, go to dia.org/fjc. downtownpublications.com
Teens 4 Arts
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4 1. Colie and her mother Kathy Broock Ballard of Orchard Lake with Eloise Alterman of Bloomfield 2. Duke Kiriluk (left), Adam Dabaldo (left) of Birmingham, Alexis Kiriluk holding Sawyer of Bloomfield 3. Parker Dietz of Bloomfield and Meredith Mackey of Commerce 4. Vicki Vlasic of Orchard Lake with Noah Eisenberg of Bloomfield 5. Sloan & Eileen Kiriluk of Bloomfield 6. Nicole & Stephen Eisenberg and Evan of Bloomfield 7. Christine Giampetroni and Grace of Bloomfield
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BRHS Mothers’ Club’s Boutique & Craft Show
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1. Brian Fish (left) and Orlando Blanco of Bloomfield, Patricia Heacock of Rochester Hills 2.Kathy Muren (left) of Farmington Hills, Balssam Hanna of Troy and Kim Salman of Bloomfield 3. Marina Gleeson (left) of Bloomfield with Katie Nienstadt, Carolyn Gleich and Anne Marie Udell of Birmingham 4. Suzanne Burcro (left) of Beverly Hills, Catherine Boston of Bloomfield, Janie DePoore of Troy 5. Carolyn Fascetti (left), Kay Browne and Michelle Kelly of Bloomfield 6. Mary Dakin (left) of Birmingham, Cathy Weisenborn of Bloomfield 7. Laura-Lee Kelsey (left) of Bloomfield, Margie Brooks of Bingham Farms
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1 1. Will Wallace (left) of Bloomfield Hills, Scott & Anne Strickland and Jason Eddleston of Birmingham 2. Leah Zanetti (left) of Bloomfield, Kathy Huber of Rochester 3. Heather & Ron Victor of Birmingham 4. Artist Corine Vermuelen and Amanda Rosman of Detroit
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Imerman Angels’ Angel Affair
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1. Jon Imerman (left) of Chicago, Seth Meltzer of Birmingham 2. Jack Marwil (left) of Bloomfield, his stepsons, Jamie and Ben Wineman, of Chicago 3. Sandy Seligman (left) and Craig & Randy Rubin of Bloomfield 4. Duffy Wineman (left) with Cheryl Kammer of Bloomfield 5. Jane Imerman (left) of Bloomfield, her son Jeff Imerman and Jamie Krasman of Birmingham 6. Patty & Ken Eisenbraun of Bloomfield 7. Carole (left) & Julio Puzznoli of Troy, Pam Hall of Birmingham, Debby Sloan of Bloomfield 8. Bob Moran (left) of Bloomfield, Penny & Rick Persiani of Bingham Farms 9. Herb & Deb Knowles of Birmingham 10. Lynn GIllow (left) of Birmingham, Kathy Zanolli of Beverly Hills
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BBSO Benefit Even though the weather outside was treacherous, the scene inside Steve and Jane Syzdek’s BoConcept Urban Danish Design store in Birmingham was warm and mellow as 70 music lovers convened there to raise a little money for the Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra Benefit. A trio from the University of Michigan School of Music put a jazz accent on the socializing, nibbling and quaffing. Distractions included a small raffle ($2,725) and a brief live auction conducted by Charles Wickins ($4,900). Board chair Rich Tropea led a toast to esteemed BBSO former executive director Carla Lamphere, who died in Traverse City in late October, and executive director Brandon Faber described the orchestra’s Passing Notes youth program, “Our community giveback.” The evening netted $9,000 and was the first social of the BBSO’s 40th anniversary season of making “…music where you live.” A special Valentine event - My Heart Belongs to BBSO - is slated for February 7 at Darakjian Jeweler in Birmingham. The concert schedule is online at bbso.org.
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FAR, Friends & Fa-La-La
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1. Tracey Meagher (left) of Oxford and Karla Sherry of Bloomfield 2. Rose Glendining of Bloomfield 3. Joann (left) & Ted Lindsay of Oakland, Diana Ayres of Farmington Hills, Paul & Diane Widlak of Bloomfield 4. Pamela Ayres (left) of Bloomfield, honoree Alan Lee of North Tustin, CA, Sandra Plezia & Ryan Husaynu of W. Bloomfield 5. Bob (left) & Lori Blumenfeld of Farmington Hills, Laurie Tennent & Gordon Cox of Bloomfield
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Imerman Angels’ Angel Affair The 1960s lived again at An Angel Affair – I Want to Hold Your Hand. The very high energy evening (think Beatles, Rolling Stones and Chubby Checker music) attracted 225 to Somerset Collection South to raise funds for connecting, one-on-one, cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. It was also a homecoming for Cranbrook school days pals and their parents via Jonny Imerman, who founded the Imerman Angels organization following his battle with cancer. The silent auction coordinated by Carol Seitz-Keller garnered lots of attention and about $12,000 before and after guests savored Plum Market’s strolling dinner around the fountain. Then the South Rotunda became the scene for a dance contest complete with go go boots. It was ultimately won by Patti Jessup and Marie Kadlec, who both wore Pucci-type prints. However, nobody went home empty-handed. Even if one missed getting an auction item, all got old-fashion candy selections courtesy of Somerset’s Linda McIntosh and Hannah Borman and a very new-fashion Crypton fabric bag. And Imerman Angels collected about $55,000 from its first Michigan fundraiser under director Duffy Wineman. Find out more at imermanangels.com.
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DSO Nutcracker Luncheon The DSO Volunteer Council’s 32nd annual Nutcracker Luncheon and Boutique chaired by Karla Sherry, Debra Partrich and Drew Esslinger attracted 220 ($85, $105, $165, $500 tickets) to the Detroit Athletic Club. In addition to sipping signature martinis and shopping the 02.15
wares of 18 vendors, pre-luncheon amusements included buying chance auction tickets and watching winsome ballerinas perform selections from the classic “Nutcracker” ballet. The dancers belong to the newly formed Ballet Detroit which calls Sergey Rayevskly “artistic director” and the Detroit Opera House “home”. WJR’s Paul W. Smith emceed the luncheon program. He complimented the ladies, recited his late father’s traditional Christmas greeting and auctioned a trip to the Big Apple ($2,200). Winners of the chance auction were all thrilled, especially Esther Lyons who won the handsome Life Chest Donna Yost donated. Event proceeds, which benefit the VC projects, are not released. FAR, Friends and Fa-La The 14th annual evening of music, song and dance attracted more than 500 to the Seligman Performing Arts Center at Detroit Country Day School. Some 110 of them ($200 ticket) came early for the Benefactor Dinner and all stayed for the Afterglow. The show featured 28 clients performing Music from the D with eight music therapists. The FAR Bazaar, another event staple, also featured work by clients with support from four Art Therapists. At intermission, retired Fox-2 news broadcaster Alan Lee, who came from his new California home to emcee the show for the eighth consecutive year, received the Hero Award for his life-changing impact on FAR clients. In his honor, Asia Anderson sang “Like a Rock”. The Samuel and Jean Frankel Foundation also received the Commitment to Community award for generous support of FAR’s performing arts Camp FAR Out. More than 30 clients served as essential event volunteers for the happy event. It raised more than $80,000 for the therapeutic arts and recreation programs conducted since 1951 for persons with special needs. Get & Give a Basket A new event that paired women and the spirit of giving attracted some 130 ($35 ticket) to The Community House before the holidays. The ladies sipped, nibbled, socialized and shopped the 110 baskets donated by generous retailers and individuals. The baskets, suitable for oneself or gifts, were all priced at $50 but had a retail value of at least $75. All the baskets sold and raised enough money for TCH to make up 150 food baskets for families in need identified by Matrix Human Services and KADIMA. The successful new event was sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Michigan-DMC. JARC 34th annual Fundraiser David Blaine, street magician and modern day Houdini, wowed the audience of 2,000 JARC supporters with his trailblazing brand of magic at JARC’s 34th annual fundraiser chaired by Scott Werner and Jason Weiss at downtownpublications.com
BBSO Benefit
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1. Pete (left) & Jody Gaudino of Birmingham, Rich & Colleen Tropea of Bloomfield 2. Dave (left) & Kathleen Devereaux of Birmingham, Brandon Farber of White Lake 3. Robert Dempster (left) and Steve Syzdek of Bloomfield, Tony Hitchcock of Clarkston 4. Bill Close (left) of Rochester, Ed Bosse of Troy, Preston & Mary Happel of Bloomfield 5. Dave & Cecilia Brown of Birmingham 6. Cathy (left) & Chuck Krause of Beverly Hills, Jane Syzdek of Bloomfield 7. Bob Pliska (left) of Bloomfield, Terry Stacey & Gary Fanilian of W. Bloomfield
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DSO Volunteer Council’s Nutcracker Luncheon
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1. Deborah Savoie (left) and Debra Partrich of Bloomfield 2. Karla Sherry (left) of Bloomfield and Drew Esslinger of Detroit, Karen DePerro of Livonia 3. Carolyn Fogleman (left) of Birmingham, Shalen Baase of Garden City, Emily Albaran of Bloomfield 4. Sergey Rayevsky of Howell Laura Fogleman of Birmingham 5. Jill Jordan (left) of Farmington Hills, Donna Yost of Bloomfield 6. Holly Anselmi (left) of Birmingham and Nancy Weinert of Bloomfield 7. Sherry Saginaw (left), Jeanne Boucher and Mary Putinta of Bloomfield, Ellie Tholen of Birmingham
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Orchestra Hall. More than 450 young adults and corporate sponsors kicked off the evening at the pre-glow in the Illusion Lounge (Max Fisher Center) with cocktails and a strolling dinner. Thanks to generous sponsors the event raised $1.35 million for JARC.
Cranbrook House Holiday Tables
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1. Mary Ann O’Neill (left) of Bingham Farms, Julie Ritter of Orchard Lake, Lauren Balames of Bloomfield 2. Sharon Walker of Bloomfield 3. Randy Forester (left) of Birmingham, Stephen & Bobbi Polk of Bloomfield 4. Mary Ann Wallace (center) with her daughters Margie Kell (left) and Chris Lamarche of Bloomfield 5. Beth Hagenlocker (left) of Los Angeles, CA, Karen, Sylvia and Ed Hagenlocker of Bloomfield 6. Larry Aker (left), Tom Balames and Steve McGraw of Bloomfield 7. Jim (left) & Janice Mies and Marilynn & John Rusche of Birmingham 8. Mary McGraw (left) and Kathleen Aker of Bloomfield 9. Kimberly (left) & Bruce Peterson with Lois & Gene Miller of Bloomfield 10. Kelly Dietz (left) and Ellen Rogers of Bloomfield, Adele Acheson of W. Bloomfield.
Habitat for Humanity’s Extravaganza
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1. Carol Wendzel (left) with Susie & Dr. Imad Mansoor of Bloomfield 2. Bob & Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield 3. Karen Feliks (left), Christine & Steve Ramaekers of Birmingham, Tim Ruggles of Highland 4. John Carney (left) of Birmingham, Robert Wendzel of Bloomfield 5. Pam Gray (left) and Melinda Allen of Bloomfield, Gillian Lazar of Birmingham and Wendy Leonard of Royal Oak 6. John Fricks (left), Carolyn & Tony Capone and Chris Conti of Birmingham 7. Joyce Russell of Warren, Christine Olsen of Bloomfield
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Cranbrook House Auxiliary Holiday Tables The year was 1975 and a now extinct store in Birmingham provided tableware for Cranbrook House’s first Holiday Tables exhibition. The event was popular, but an early and important change made it even more so – the notables invited to be exhibitors used their own possessions to create the displays in the house that was open for touring from Thursday through Sunday. One of the more irreverent exhibitors in the early years was former Detroit News columnist Nickie McWhirter. As I recall her small, round table was set with a vintage typewriter, a half-finished cup of coffee and an ash tray filled with cigarette butts. It was a marked contrast to the adjacent, elegant hunt dinner table created by Barbara Smith when her husband Roger was CEO of GM. After a decade or so, the Patron Tea held on opening day became THE place to see and be seen the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The event always featured serious socializing and shopping in the popular Thistle Gift Shop. Over the ensuing decades, the event included various benefactor parties and demonstrations. Now, after 39 years, the Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary is moving on to new fundraising endeavors. The 2014 Holiday Tables that Randy Forester chaired was the Grand Finale. And it was grand, indeed. It opened with two formal Patron Teas, served buffet style in the dining room where the table was set with treasures from the Booth family collection. As Alice Haidostian played the baby grand piano in the Library, more than 100 patrons viewed the other 17 tables and bought tickets for the chance auction Marilynn Rusche chaired. Sylvia and Karen Hagenlocker’s display contained Brazilian flatware from the time Ed Hagenlocker headed Ford Brazil. At her 1940sthemed table in the Living Room, Delmarie LaGrasso recited a delightful “Tribute to my Mother, Tafelua” which made the era come alive. In the Oak Room, artist Julie Dawson gave guests a note card with a print of her penguins painting that inspired her whimsical display. For the first and last time Holiday Tables featured a Friday night cocktail party that attracted 110 people. Guests at the magical evening included new auxiliary chair Dick Lilley as well as Margie Kell and Chris Lamarche, great granddaughters of Cranbrook founders George & Ellen Booth and their mother Mary Ann Wallace, who was the first chair of the house auxiliary. Before the show closed on Sunday afternoon, some 500 people toured the Holiday 02.15
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Tables Grande Finale exhibition. It raised nearly $80,000 for the restoration, preservation and maintenance of the historic house. After Thanksgiving, the auxiliary staged Cookies with Santa and made 100 more friends for the home. Docent training is scheduled for early March. People interested in auxiliary membership ($30 and up) may call (248) 645-3149 or go to housegardens@cranbrook.edu.
South Oakland Shelters’ Dancing with Detroit’s Stars
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1. Jennie & Bill Cook of Birmingham 2. Rochelle Treger (left) of San Diego, CA, Treger & Rob Strasberg of Birmingham 3. Jeff Abood (right) of Bloomfield with Mike & Noelle Abood of Joplin, MO 4. Ed & Pam Boutrous of Bloomfield 5. Rod (left) & Tammy Alberts of Bloomfield, Ann & Jay Feldman of Birmingham 6. Eva Dodds (left), Mary Jo Dawson and committee member Tawnya Bender of Bloomfield, Courtney Hewitt of South Lyon 7. Drew (left) & Elizabeth Cook of Beverly Hills, Jennifer & Tony Cook of Bloomfield 8. Amy (left) & Brad Emmett and Mike Malik of Birmingham 9. Johnny Maalouf (left), Lynn Lange and Marla Feldman of Birmingham, Mike Jacobson of Bloomfield 10. Richard (left) & Denise Victor of Bloomfield, Wendy Sadoff of Franklin, Michael Gordner of W. Bloomfield
Brave Knight Courage for the Cure Benefit
SOS Dancing with Detroit’s Stars “This is my favorite night of the year,” declared South Oakland Shelters President & CEO Ryan Hertz. He was speaking to the crowd of 250 gathered in the Townsend ballroom. They had first sipped, supped and bid in the silent auction ($25,000) set up both in the Promenade and online. They had also applauded co-chair Bill Cook’s tribute to his co-chairs: his wife Jennie as “…the heart and soul of this event” and internationally-renowned R&B singer KEM (aka Kim Owens), a formerly homeless person, now, like Jennie, an SOS board member. KEM sang and introduced a former SOS client and her children. But the fun of the night is always the dancing. And the costumes. And seeing how the instructors at Candace McKenzie’s Arthur Murray Dance Studios can make amateurs look so professional and polished. All the contestants were outstanding and earned resounding applause. But the chemistry Treger and Rob Strasberg displayed in their sexy, dramatic exhibition also elicited cat calls and the judges’ first place vote. That Treger is the founder of Humble Design, a non-profit that furnishes homes for families exiting homeless shelters, is a nice sidebar to this story. The evening raised $145,000 for SOS to provide support to homeless families.
Habitat for Humanity Extravaganza As she did last year, Susie Mansoor chaired the second fundraiser for building hope and homes for people in need. It attracted to the Townsend 225 supporters, including the 75 who first convened in the Corner Bar for the Benefactor Reception. Following the dinner, WWJ’s Marie Osborne emceed the program. It featured a surprise presentation of the inaugural 3 4 1 2 Community Builder Award to philanthropist Maggie Allesee and Autumn Butler’s story of Habitat home ownership. It enables the single mother of young twins to work on her PhD degree in political science while providing a stable home for her children. “Habitat for Humanity has really changed my life,” she declared. Habitat Oakland CEO Tim Ruggles also updated guests on local projects that included the accessible, totally green home built by the 2014 WomenBuild team for a Madison Heights 7 5 6 woman with Cerebral Palsy. A dessert Afterglow 1. Brad & Nettie Boivin of Bloomfield 2. Kirk & Karen Sellke of Bloomfield 3. Andrea (left) with James Guidone of Beverly Hills, Meredith with Dan Morse of Bloomfield 4. Chris & Jenny McCuiston of Birmingham 5. Mike (left) & Molly Hawkins and Gary & Carla was accented with music by popular flutist Alexander Zonjic and Friends with Detroit’s Glorio of Bloomfield 6. Gina with Ted Morgan of Bloomfield 7. Jessica & Jason Snooks of Birmingham 114
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Queen of the Blues singer Thornetta Davis. Thanks to generous sponsors, the second annual signature event raised more than $82,000. To learn about volunteer opportunities go to habitatoakland.org. BARD Foundation’s Gobble Wobble Since the first holiday reunion of young professionals who had been pals in the Bloomingham area schools was held the night after Thanksgiving, the event has evolved into a foundation (Born and Raised Detroit) that stages events from coast to coast to benefit Detroit youth. The eighth annual soiree brought a sold out crowd (380 @ $95 per) to The Reserve for the disco-theme party. Guests socialized around stand up tables that interior designer/BARD board member Anne Strickland decorated with disco bling. The Dan Rafferty band made music until 2 a.m. and people bought tickets ($1,700) for a wagon of booze that Kevin Wilberding won. The evening raised some $25,000 for the various enrichment programs that receive BARD grants. These include Detroit Achievement Academy, Alternatives for Girls, Horizons Upward Bound, Racquet Up Detroit and ChildSafe Michigan. In addition to Anne, the BARD board comprises Greg DeMars, Lauren Freund, Parker Lynch, Julie MacMillan, Bradley Sherman, Scott Strickland and Patrick Thornton. The next BARD event - Show Your Love For Detroit – is April 11 in NYC. For more information, go to bornandraiseddetroit.org. Brave Knight Benefit On precisely the fourth anniversary of the onslaught of the brain stem glioma that took five-year-old Julian Boivin’s life seven months later, Team Julian – 325 friends of his parents - gathered at the Townsend to celebrate his short life and raise funds to fight pediatric brain tumors. The upbeat evening was packed with activity. In addition to a strolling dinner, open bar and dance music by the Good Gravy band, the silent auction ($31,000) featured something for everyone, including a painting by Pittsburgh pop artist Baron Batch that salutes Julian’s love of superheroes. His downtownpublications.com
BARD Foundation’s Gobble Wobble
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1. Greg DeMars (left) of Royal Oak, Anne Strickland of Birmingham, Brad Sherman of NYC 2. Sarah Paciocco (center) of Novi with Scott Strickland (left) of Birmingham and Patrick Thornton of Detroit 3. Parker Lynch of NYC and Sarah Affholter of Chicago, IL 4. Annie Rule (left) of Birmingham, Sheila Thornton of Bloomfield and Bev Schine of W. Bloomfield 5. McKenzie Hess (left) of Birmingham, Katie Obee of Beverly Hills, Morgan Hennessy of Bloomfield 6. Kevin Wilberding (left) and Jay Benedetto of Troy, David Wilson and Wills Fattore of Bloomfield 7. Ale Barber (left) of Bloomfield, Janna Kramer of Birmingham, Annie Sovran of Southfield 8. Lizzy (left) and Melissa Schofding and Shannon Holmes of Beverly Hills 9. Rachel Gordon (left) and Omar Eid of Bloomfield, David Weintraub of Birmingham 10. Joe Cotant (left) of Birmingham, Mike Ebbing of Bloomfield and Andrew Sennett of Chicago, IL
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK uncle Peter, who was working the Wine Pull station ($3,525), was the winning bidder. A raffle for a fully stocked bar cart and one for a trip to Sonoma garnered $7,500. Julian’s father Brad paid tribute to his wife Nettie as”…the soul of this event” and updated guests on the foundation’s partnership with the collaborative that maximizes its effectiveness. He also inspired $18,000 in cash donations from the guests. Thanks also to ticket sales ($125) and generous sponsors, the fourth annual Brave Knight benefit netted nearly $90,000. Learn more about the Boivins’ mission at courageforcures.org.
Women’s Division for Project HOPE Luncheon and Boutique
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1. Sherry Saginaw (center) with Jeanne Boucher (left) and Joy Garber of Bloomfield 2. Anita Hedeen (left) of Bloomfield and Irene Davis of Beverly Hills 3. Tina Prevas (left), Bettina Gregg and Mary Putinta of Bloomfield 4. Audrey Mooradian (left), Emma Minasian and Alice Berberian Haidostian of Bloomfield 5. Julie Adell Verona (left) and Laurie Adell Fischgrund with her daughter Melanie Goldman of Bloomfield 6. Camilla Kavanagh (left) of Beverly Hills, Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham, Stephanie Kouloumberis of St. Clair Shores 7. Serena Orsini (left) of Bloomfield and Mary Lou Orsini of Grosse Pointe
BBAC Shop & Champagne
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1. Patty Eisenbraun (left) of Bloomfield, Annie VanGelderen of Commerce 2. Josh Sherbin (left) of Bloomfield, Jeff Pollock of Cleveland, OH 3. Carolyn Hall (left) and Barbara Gash of Bloomfield, Co Abatt of Beverly Hills 4. Myron & Joyce LaBan of Bloomfield 5. Ken Eisenbraun (left) of Bloomfield, Barb & Jeff VanDorn of Birmingham 6. Lisa Sherbin (left), Terri Cooper and Leslie Moskowitz of Bloomfield 7. Ron (left) & Elise Herner of Bloomfield, Dave Rosen of Birmingham
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Project HOPE Luncheon and Boutique Sisters Jeanne Boucher and Joy Garber chaired the annual Women’s Division event that attracted 124 women to Oakland Hills Country Club. As she has for many years, Alice Haidostian added to the upbeat atmosphere by playing the piano as people socialized, bought raffle tickets, bid in a silent auction and perused the offerings of 22 vendors. Some also paused at the Dior station for make-up services. Following lunch, Kaye Rittinger sang a selection of Gershwin and holiday songs before Project HOPE’s Brooke Herndon delivered an update on the organization’s worldwide projects and a thank you to the WD for its dedication to the mission. The event raised in the vicinity of $13,500 to support health opportunities for people everywhere. BBAC Shop & Champagne The annual kick off to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s Holiday Gift Show of artists creations was as champagne-splashed as always. And since they enjoyed a 10 percent discount and free gift wrapping, the 325 guests ($75 & up tickets) were in the mood to shop as well as sip and sup. When the show closed two-plus weeks later, nearly 3,000 pieces of original art had new homes and nearly $50,000 was raised for the art center. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; call 248.646.6390 or email samgerak@aol.com.
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ENDNOTE
Bloomfield Township's investment issues fter a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal with Bloomfield Township, Downtown Publications has received the document created last summer by Shepherd Kaplan, a registered investment advisory company in Boston, hired by Miller Canfield to review the township's $80 million pension bond fund investment account after questions were raised by some in the community about fees paid to a local investment firm, Gregory J. Schwartz & Company. Township supervisor Leo Savoie hired Miller Canfield to address the concerns, including those of township trustees who realized the township was paying more than they had initially thought it would cost to manage the township's equity account. For the most part, the Shepherd Kaplan review broke no new ground given the fact that township officials had the document last July and most of the questions raised in the document have already been hashed out publicly in recent months. However, we think release of this document when it was created would have helped educate the public and focus the debate that has been taking place over the investment of some $80 million from a recent township retirement fund bond issue. With an investment portfolio of this size, all opinions – which is all this document is – should have been added to the public discussion so that the township could get on with the task of restructuring how it plans to manage investing in the future. The main point of contention has been the investment of township pension equity funds into class A shares rather than institutional shares, which resulted in considerably higher fees paid to the Schwartz investment firm. Shepherd Kaplan stated, in several instances, that Schwartz may have had a conflict of interest in its investing pattern by acting as a broker, taking a
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“finder's fee” of $450,000, which then led them to invest the township's money in certain mutual funds because it maximized their compensation, costing the township considerable money. The document also raised the question of whether all fees paid had been made public. Ed Schwartz, president of Gregory Schwartz & Company, wrote in a response to Shepherd Kaplan's document, “We have received nothing beyond the compensation which has been disclosed, which has been paid entirely by the mutual fund companies. We have been paid in accordance with the applicable prospectuses and our written service agreement with the township.” Other Schwartz objections to the Shepherd Kaplan review are outlined elsewhere in a story in this month's edition. Unfortunately, the Shepherd Kaplan review still did not clearly address the issue that “finder's fees” paid to a broker, supposedly from mutual fund assets, are really funds that originated from the township's money, a point often obscured with industry jargon when discussing fees paid to advisors. The Shepherd Kaplan document did advise the township to create a financial oversight committee as soon as possible, which Savoie has been pushing township treasurer Dan Devine to put in place since at least last September. Devine initially fought the committee tooth and nail, claiming at the October 13 township board meeting, “I am at the top of my profession. The law does not provide for an advisory board...To do that would abrogate our responsibility...I believe we are elected by the residents of the township and I will not agree to push my responsibilities on someone else.” Fortunately, the board has moved ahead and voted to form an advisory panel in the months ahead, so that issue has been laid to rest. Lastly, the review document suggests that
perhaps the township should be rewriting its agreement with the Schwartz company, something that we assume the investment advisory panel will tackle at some point, as well as the question of whether investment services should be put out to bid. As one last footnote to the Shepherd Kaplan document, we were disappointed during this FOIA appeal process with the performance of the township treasurer, who we have previously criticized for not making sure all along that township trustees had a clear understanding of what fees would be paid to outside firms. Further, as we have noted in this space before, we have not been impressed with Dan Devine's handling in past years with the growing problem with the township's separate Prudential Retirement defined benefit pension plan that is drastically underperforming, and has been since at least 20042005, forcing the township to contribute millions to the fund annually out of township funds to keep it fully-funded and available to retirees. We now add to our list of concerns how Devine handled our request to release the Shepherd Kaplan document. During the appeal process to make this document public, Devine appeared less concerned about the taxpayers' money – only about the need to “protect our vendor” – Gregory J. Schwartz & Company. He repeatedly stated there was a need to protect the vendor, even as other trustees, such as Corinne Khederian, Neal Barnett, and Dave Buckley, spoke of being the trustees of the public's funds, and of having the responsibility to let the public know what is happening with their money. The questions about the performance of the township treasurer continue to mount.
Compensation for wrongfully convicted eing wrongfully convicted of a crime you didn't do and held in prison for years is pretty terrible. Compound that with the added insult of denying the individual any compensation or even basic prisoner benefits when they are exonerated and released, and there's the picture for falsely imprisoned and released individuals in Michigan. State Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren) is intent upon changing that, introducing a bill once again this month, for the sixth time since he was elected to public office, to compensate a victim of wrongful conviction in the state of Michigan. Bieda's bill will provide compensation of $60,000 for each year an individual was wrongfully held in prison, along with rehabilitative services. He noted it's based on what is done in other states – in actuality, 30 other states, as well as the District of Columbia. Former President George W. Bush endorsed Congress' recommended amount of $50,000 per year of incarceration, with basic services provided.
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The issue of compensation reared its head as we looked at the Innocence Project in this issue, a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing. “Despite their proven innocence, the difficulty of reentering society is profound for the wrongfully convicted; the failure to compensate them adds insult to injury,” the project says on their website. Society has an obligation to promptly provide compassionate assistance to the wrongfully convicted by providing financial support for the basic necessities of food, shelter and transportation, as well as medical and legal care. As of January, 325 people nationwide have been exonerated post-conviction through DNA acquittals by various Innocence Projects. In Michigan, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project has been able to obtain three full post-conviction exonerations, and the University of Michigan Law
School Innocence Clinic, which exonerates defendants using non-DNA testing methods, has had nine. Donya Davis, exonerated in November 2014 by the Cooley Innocence Project, said that while he is thrilled to have been fully cleared of a 2007 rape and carjacking after serving seven years in prison, today he is homeless and penniless. “I got no compensation, no help in finding a job,” he said. “I didn't qualify for prisoner benefits, clothing vouchers, nothing that prisoners get when they're released. Everything is just upside down. I was just tossed out.” Bieda wants to change that, and believes that others want that as well. “So many people think we already have a bill for it. Michigan used to provide for wrongful conviction for 100 years, and we got away from it about 20 years ago. I'm not inventing something new. It's just the right thing to do.” We absolutely agree.
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