Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: 220 MERRILL REINCARNATED

SCHOOL POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS USED IN MOST OF OAKLAND DISTRICTS

KU KLUX KLAN REBOUNDING DIMINISHED NUMBERS; HATE GROUP THRIVES

PERSONAL PROTECTION TURNING TO COURTS FOR SHIELD OF A PPO

ENDNOTE: OBSERVATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN

Michigan’s #1 Realtor 2010 2012 2013 Stately lakefront residence set on an acre. Gourmet kitchen, 2 master suites, full walkout lower level.

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Impressive Bloomfield Hills new construction with Bloomfield Hills schools.

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In town Birmingham Tudor exquisitely built with fine attention to detail. This classic residence embraces fine millwork, a grand staircase and modern day conveniences.

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The city of Bloomfield has only a few 2 + acre "walk out" sites available, this is 1 of them. Adjacent to Cranbrook & surrounded by majestic mansions, this is a premiere opportunity.

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4 bedroom 3 full and 1/2 half bath. Natural setting with private yard.

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Newly rebuilt 3 story colonial offers irresistible entertaining settings.

Wonderful Lot offering with Bloomfield Hills schools.

Hilly, tiered and very secluded. Offers the highest elevation in area. Overlooks The Deneweth Company's Spruce Hill sub.

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Mid-century modern classic perched atop hill. 1.5 acre site surrounded by majestic trees. Enjoy or build your estate at the current value.

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Lake Angelus waterfront situated on almost 3 acres of natural beauty. Designed with an open floor plan. All main living areas capture spectacular views of the water & sanctuary.

K A T H Y BROOCK BALLARD 248.318.4504 Move right into this well designed Oakland Twp. residence. Sitting quietly on a private cul-de-sac setting with golf course & nature preserve views. Featuring new updates throughout.

Pristine Clarkston home with 2 story foyer. Quality craftsmanship featuring first floor master. Walk-out lower level with wrap around deck.

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Picturesque Birmingham home offers charming curb appeal.

Partly finished basement with fireplace & storage space. Quarter acre of property & large backyard.

Gorgeous Sylvan Lake lakefront home with sandy beach. Updates throughout including granite & stainless in kitchen. Enjoy the casual lifestyle of lakefront living.

Sprawling home in the City of Franklin. Floor to ceiling windows in the family room featuring a beautiful brick 2 way fireplace. Great Pool area and tennis court.

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Stunning contemporary home exudes sophisticated calm with its wondrous high ceilings and panoramic views of Loon Lake. Almost 4,000 Sq. Ft. of open & modern architectural spaces.

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Handsome City of Bloomfield estate. Custom built and master crafted with large formal gathering spaces.

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City of Bloomfield estate home on almost 3 acres with carriage house. Bright chef’s kitchen adorned with marble and tile. Walk to Cranbrook educational community.

Ideally situated on one of Birmingham's premiere streets is this just completed shaker style home.

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Wabeek contemporary estate infuses nature with minimalistic architecture and premium quality creating an oasislike serenity. Steps away is sandy beach & dock.

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Luxury Sales for 2014 1055 Orchard Ridge Road, Bloomfield Hills, 246 Nantucket Drive, Bloomfield Hills, 3645 Lahser Road, Bloomfield Hills, 421 Arlington Street, Birmingham, 1055 Lake Park Drive, Birmingham, 211 Woodridge Road,Bloomfield Hills, 1928 Heron Ridge Drive, Bloomfield Twp, 1363 Pilgrim Avenue, Birmingham, 1928 Heron Ridge Drive, Bloomfield Twp, 282 Greenwood Street, Birmingham, 720 Puritan Avenue, Birmingham, 7029 Falcon Court, West Bloomfield Twp, 6947 Kirkbridge Hill, West Bloomfield, Twp, 2255 Fairway Drive, Birmingham, 1338 Carillon Court, Bloomfield Twp, 3734 Elder Road, West Bloomfield Twp, 255 Lone Pine Court, Bloomfield Hills, 1536 Kirkway Road, Bloomfield, 1680 Hillwood Drive, Bloomfield Hills,

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3162 Pine Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp, 582 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 927 Bloomfield Knoll Drive, Bloomfield Twp, 3162 Pine Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp, 2165 Yorkshire Road, Birmingham, 4160 Ravenwood Court, Troy, 981 Ann Street, Birmingham, 26740 Irving Road, Franklin, 268 Brown Street, Birmingham, 2499 Heronwood Drive, Bloomfield Twp, 905 Harsdale Road, Bloomfield Twp, 1315 Lyonhurst Street, Birmingham, 1830 Mohawk Court, Bloomfield Twp, 1389 Lake Park Drive, Birmingham, 654 Hamilton Road, Bloomfield Twp, 963 Puritan Avenue, Birmingham, 636 Lakeview Avenue, Birmingham, 866 Westchester Way, Birmingham, *Not including sales under $700,000

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DOWNTOWN09.14

39

45 53 Ku Klux Klan re-emerging It's a sordid part of history for this country and Michigan, but the hate group Ku Klux Klan has not completely disappeared from the scene.

CRIME LOCATOR

19 37 77 81 85 89

SCHOOL POLICE

DIMINISHED NUMBERS; HATE GROUP THRIVES

PERSONAL PROTECTION

103

Linda Soberman ENDNOTE: OBSERVATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN

Jolie Altman

61

THE COVER

Bella Piatti license transfer; Alex & Ani; Barbara's Paper Bag moving; ballot language change; library millage increase; Quarton Lake chemical treatment; plus more.

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

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

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

110

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DOWNTOWN • WESTEND • THE GUIDE 124 WEST MAPLE ROAD BIRMINGHAM MI 48009 P: 248.792.6464 downtownpublications.com facebook.com/downtownpublications • twitter.com/downtownpubs

­Publisher:­David Hohendorf Ad­Manager:­Jill Cesarz Ad­Sales:­Heather Marquis Graphics:­G. Lynn Barnett News­Editor:­Lisa Brody

News­Staff/Contributors:­Allison Batdorff, Rachel Bechard, Hillary Brody, Kevin Elliott, Sally Gerak, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, Jean Lannen, J. Marsh, Kathleen Meisner, Laurie Tennent

DOWNTOWN

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

ENDNOTE

Seaholm High School on W. Lincoln in Birmingham, part of the Birmingham School District. Downtown photo: G. Lynn Barnett.

P

The newly reopened 220 restaurant in Birmingham has a long way to go to fix problems evident during its early relaunch.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

TURNING TO COURTS FOR SHIELD OF A PPO

MUNICIPAL

6

95

KU KLUX KLAN REBOUNDING

David Palmer and Catherine Serramo

Shawarma Kingdom; Commonwealth; Greens Art Supply; Alegra Printing; Huntington Learning Center.

AT THE TABLE

LIAISON OFFICERS USED IN MOST OF OAKLAND DISTRICTS

Matt Pesta

Nearly 1,300 personal protection orders were issued by the Oakland Circuit Court last year to safeguard applicants.

91

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

Adam Sztykiel

PPOs

Police liaison officers are present in most of the Oakland school districts although it is hard to gauge effectiveness.

BUSINESS MATTERS

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: 220 MERRILL REINCARNATED

FACES

Police in local schools

A tale of two cities, Birmingham and Royal Oak; safeguarding our surface and drinking waters.

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

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

09.14

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

akland County’s sprawling 11th Congressional District has a history of spawning ultra conservative factions in its western environs, so it came as no surprise when Tea Party Republicans successfully turned upside down the recent county GOP convention to elect their state convention delegates.

Matt Maddock, a Milford resident, bail bondsman and failed August primary state senate candidate, led what many described as a disorganized uprising of Tea Party cohorts at the August county party convention to be elected chairman and have his slate of delegates chosen for the state convention taking place in Novi as this September issue of Downtown was going to press.

The 11th Congressional District was redrawn to include Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Troy to make it an even safer Republican stronghold prior to the 2012 elections, but its original base of voters still includes the western Oakland lakes area communities of Milford, White Lake, Highland, Wixom, Walled Lake, Commerce, Wolverine Lake and a part of West Bloomfield.

The western portion of this congressional district has always been a hotbed for far right views, albeit a minority then and now. One need only look at the start of the national (think California Prop 13) and state-wide anti-tax movement in the 1970’s and 1980’s to get a taste for this area.

When Shiwassee County Drain Commissioner Robert Tisch in 1978 made his first of several unsuccessful runs at changing the Michigan Constitution to enshrine his radical tax cut ballot proposal, west Oakland County was one of the few areas in the county and the state where he found strong backing and passage at the ballot box, despite overall state support of only about 37 percent in his first try.

Granted, a lot has changed in nearly 40 years as the population expanded and summer lake cottages morphed into year around expensive waterfront residences. Back then west Oakland was dominated more by blue collar, middle class denizens whose families had originally migrated here to work the auto factories in Wixom and Pontiac. Like the rest of Michigan, they were facing serious inflation, 12 percent unemployment levels, and increasing tax rates as the popularity and accompanying value of lakes area property rose astronomically starting in the early 1970’s. So west Oakland became known as an area where it was a constant battle, like in the Walled Lake School District for example, to pass a millage increase. And it was in communities like Walled Lake where small but vocal factions would show at community meetings to oppose the city accepting federal Community Development Block Grant funding, created during the Nixon administration, because

the program included funds for subsidized housing that might draw non-whites into the area. And let’s not forget that former Alabama Governor George Wallace fared well in some precincts of Waterford during his 1972 campaign to be president.

Now fast forward to 2007-2008, with the state and nation sliding into another recession, this one more severe than those of the past, and a general sense overall in society that government, continuing to grow in size, simply doesn’t work. Enter the Tea Party movement in which candidates, as a general rule, have not been able to expand their base of support to actually get elected, but continue to push their agenda and move Republican Party policies to the far right on the political spectrum. In national and state legislative deliberations, they don’t have the strength to dictate outcomes, but their numbers are large enough to force Republicans to include them in the debate for anything to pass.

In the 11th Congressional District, Maddock was able to elect his slate of 120 candidates as part of the 280 Oakland 11th district delegates who will decide at the state level a number of issues, including candidates for secretary of state, attorney general, three Michigan Supreme Court justices, two state board of education positions, and board of regent positions (two each for MSU, U of M and Wayne State). The state convention also picks the candidate to run as Michigan Lieutenant Governor, which is where the battle is being fought this election year.

Current Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is being challenged by Tea Party member Wes Nakagiri of Livingston County. Nakagiri backers in the Tea Party say Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is not a true conservative, given his support for expanding the Medicaid system under Obamacare, proposing increases in gas taxes to fix roads, and for his support of Common Core educational standards.

GOP stalwarts like to deride Maddock and the Tea Party in west Oakland as the “Taliban” of the Republican Party, as several 11th district participants told me in the aftermath. But like it or not, they – and other like-minded delegates from several counties – may well have an impact, not just on candidate selection at the convention but on party platform issues.

So while betting money prior to the state convention had it that Calley would hang onto his 2014 running mate status, the creeping impact of the far right continues to erode the party’s attractiveness for a growing number of Republicans in what is looking more and more like a march to irrelevance for the state GOP.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

4036 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 (Located at the Southwest Corner of Long Lake Road & Telegraph Road)

Phone: 248-645-5223 | Fax: 248-645-5227 | Email: atouchoflace@aol.com | www.atouchoflace.com Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm - Evenings and Weekends available upon request

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INCOMING J. March review Thank you very much for J. March's honest review of 5th Tavern (At The Table/July 2014). It was very informative.

My partner and I were considering this place for a special occasion and I must admit you have saved us a bundle. We tend to spend a lot, because we both enjoy long dinners with multiple entrees, etc.

I grew up working in restaurants and have retired from the full service hotel business. Unfortunately, I spend most of my meal noticing the little things like arguments between servers regarding station assignments, etc. The food being prepared differently than described on the menu would have sent me into orbit.

Thanks again and I will keep following your culinary advice.

John Richardson, Bloomfield Hills

Important debates I truly thank you for the energy (David Hohendorf) puts forth in his outstanding editorials “From the Publisher.”

Again, your frank discussion on “Stingray” and surveillance is appreciated. Overreacting in the name of protecting us from ourselves is always an interesting subject. The NSA's motto remains “we must monitor you in order to protect you from yourselves.”

Fortunately, debates on these subject are important to our country and basic values.

Great magazine.

Richard C. Rollins, Birmingham

Finally waking up David Hohendorf's column (From

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

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

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

the Publisher/August) was exactly what I tell my listeners each week and you wouldn't believe how many don't believe this is reality.

I've heard of the Stingray a couple years ago. I was speaking out about it and no one was interested. After the NSA leaks, people are finally waking up.

Tony Schwartz, Freedom Worx, caveradiobroadcasting.com

Police surveillance Great article on the police surveillance (From the Publisher/August).

Yesterday I read about the CIA spying on a U.S. Senate panel.

Two weeks ago two of my wife's friends who are in their 60's were interrogated at length by the U.S. customs agent as they were returning to the U.S. from Canada.

The agent had a flack vest.

Police in this country are out of control.

William Person, Bloomfield Village

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There are 2 CRIMES up here: 1. Not staying at the beach til sunset.

2. The rare (but sadly, it does happen) burnt croissant.

Yes, it is Paradise Yes, you do deserve a place up here. veryone dreams of a place in Traverse City. Some want downtown living. Some simply have to have a place on the Old Mission Peninsula while others crave the wide open spaces and adorable little villages of Leelanau County.

Good news – we’re on top of all of those places. From Frankfort to Charlevoix, we’ve got it covered. Better news – we have the best connections in the north. Once we get what you’re looking for, we find it – whether it’s on the market or not. 26 years of doing this has taught us a thing or two about success. You’ll like dealing with us. Good listeners, great negotiators, really thorough knowledge of the market – so say our happy clients.

The Jack Lane Team 231.995.0000 Okay, more good news – you can tune into Jack’s weekly radio show “Ask the Real Estate Guy with Jack Lane!”

Saturday mornings from 8 to 9 on that amazing thing called the internet. It’s a fun show about baseball, local goings on and, by and by, real estate up here in the beautiful north. www.wtcmradio.com, then click “listen live”. After 12 fun years (yes, even during the Great Recession), we have listeners from all over the world, now – once you tune in, you’ll become a regular. It’s a pleasant way to start your Saturday morning. It’s funny – and it’s a great little peek into this lovely world, up here.

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 August 15, 2014.

Placement of codes is approximate.

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248.644.3500

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Gated 2.3 acres with 226’ 4 Bedrooms of lake frontage and dock/ 4 Full, 2 Half Baths beach. 1st floor master.

8,206 Total Sq. Ft. Walkout LL with family room, kitchen, 2 BRs/baths. MLS# 214071690

OXFORD TOWNSHIP NEW LISTING | $595,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 5,177 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214073754

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP $1,850,000

FRANKLIN VILLAGE $974,900

Moceri/Tringali custom 4 Bedrooms home on nearly an acre.

4 Full, 1 Half Baths Views of pool, woods & 3,794 Square Feet terrace. Amazing master.

Walkout LL. Salt water pool. MLS# 214048879

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP NEW LISTING | $454,900

Private cul de sac backing 4 Bedrooms to woods. 1st floor master 2 Full, 1 Half Baths suite. Spectacular finished 3,459 Square Feet walkout with exercise and MLS# 214072366 theatre rooms. 3-car garage.

market analysis.

Quick occupancy! Eat-in kitchen with 42” cherry cabinets Partially finished basement. Oversized 3-car garage. Clarkston Schools.

Cul-de-sac backing to woods.

2-story living room. 1st floor master. Finished LL with kitchen, bedroom & family room with 106” screen.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP NEW LISTING | $399,999 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Bath 3,974 Square Feet MLS# 214069648

Lynn and Deby’s listings at V iewLynnandDeby.com

Renovated 1910 home on 1.88 acres close to the Paint Creek Trail. Wrap around porch, gardens and brick paver patio. Large bedrooms.

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

anci Rands N associate broker 248.701.9000 nrands@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,895,000 3 or 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,065 Square Feet MLS# 214049852

Historic property, on a private landscaped hilltop overlooking Wing Lake, has been restored and expanded to create a breathtaking combination of traditional and contemporary design. The Living Room is highlighted by a mural depicting Edsel Ford’s 1st transcontinental Model T journey. The Cook’s Kitchen features an octagonal island. 1st floor Master Suite.

4-seasons sun porch. Finished Lower Level with Wine Cellar and Exercise Facility. 3-car garage. Quality beyond compare!

BIRMINGHAM | $1,250,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,032 Square Feet MLS# 214010009

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Sophisticated site condo nestled on private grounds featuring beautiful lawns and lush gardens. Fabulous updates throughout . Accented by hardwood floors and deep moldings. Dramatic Foyer opens to handsome Library, spacious fireplaced Living Room and separate Dining Room. Gorgeous marble and wood Island Kitchen. Four seasons Sun Room.

Large 2nd floor Master Suite. Bedroom #2 is a two-room suite. 1st floor Laundry. Great location!

real difference in Real Estate T heRandsColburn.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Colburn Meredith associate broker 248.762.5319 mcolburn@hallandhunter.com

- NEW LISTING -

- NEW PRICE -

BIRMINGHAM | $619,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $725,000

3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,413 Square Feet MLS# 214076725

Charming cape cod on an unbelievable, expansive lot. Hardwood floors and coved ceilings. Master suite with sitting alcove. 4-seasons sunroom.

Finished lower level has rec room and wine cellar.

Quarton Elementary.

3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 2,567 Square Feet MLS# 214039480

Ranch with full walk-out on 2 picturesque acres in Chelmsleigh. Perfect opportunity to renovate or build new. Entry level master. Living room has views of pool and rear grounds. Lower level offers 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, family room, bar and rec room.

- UNDER CONTRACT -

- SOLD -

- UNDER CONTRACT -

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE $1,100,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $865,000

BIRMINGHAM $1,450,000

5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 3 Half Baths 3,771 Square Feet MLS# 214056204

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Spacious updated colonial 4 Bedrooms with stately columned 3 Full, 2 Half Baths entry and circular 4,204 Square Feet aggregate drive. Expansive MLS# 214055631 upper level. 3-car garage.

Phenomenal 2004 renovation and remodel of a classic hilltop Colonial on a beautifully landscaped corner lot. 3-car garage.

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 1,998 Square Feet MLS# 214050777

real difference in Real Estate T heRandsColburn.com

Sophisticated in-town residence. Master suite with covered balcony and fireplace. Finished Lower Level. Attached garage.

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Colburn Meredith associate broker 248.762.5319 mcolburn@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,295,000 6 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,271 Square Feet MLS# 214076203

Stunning 2000 built soft contemporary on nearly 2 private acres. Jerusalem limestone and stucco exterior. Brazilian cherry wood floors. 1st floor master suite. Poggenpohl kitchen. Expansive, fully finished walk-out lower level. 4-car garage.

BIRMINGHAM | $2,800,000 5-6 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,208 Square Feet MLS# 214030457

The ultimate in sophistication and luxury.

French Normandy architecturally designed home located on a private corner site in Quarton Lake Estates. Renovated in 2010-2012 by a prominent national designer. Elevator.

- NEW LISTING -

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,599,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,257 Square Feet MLS# 214049852

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Phenomenal 2005 brick and stone stunner on a private landscaped site with saltwater pool. Brazilian cherry wood floors accent the entry level. Family room has floor-to-ceiling windows and 2-story fieldstone gas fireplace. Gourmet kitchen.

Master suite with luxurious stone bath, gas fireplace and private Trek deck. Additional bedrooms are suites with private baths.

Finished walkout lower level has a 5th bedroom, full bath, kitchen/bar, movie theatre, exercise and rec rooms. 4-car garage.

real difference in Real Estate T heRandsColburn.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Marcy Sucher realtor

248.408.9018 msucher@hallandhunter.com

167 LAKE PARK DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM | $2,399,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 4 Half Baths 5,100 Square Feet MLS# 214085446

Stunning French Normandy landmark home in prestigious Quarton Lake Estates, restored and expanded in 1993 and 2006. The large living room with beautiful coffered walls and ceiling opens to a music room with walls of windows for abundant natural light. A custom chef ’s kitchen features stainless appliances, granite countertops, custom Pewabic backsplash and breakfast area opens to a family room leading to a private outdoor patio area. Elegant master suite with custom tiled fireplace. Extensive custom landscaping adds to the appeal of this highly sought after neighborhood.

iew marcy’s listings at Vhallandhunter.com

Co-listed with Cindy Obron Kahn – 248.568.7309

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Kahn Cindy Obron realtor 248.568.7309 cindy@cindykahn.com

An Extraordinary Agent...

Providing Extraordinary Results

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS $9,995,000 6 Bedrooms 6 Full, 3 Half Baths 14,601 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214084945

Unparalleled estate on 5 Bedrooms 4 acres. Highest quality 6 Full, 3 Half Baths finishes. Grand 4-season 8,540 Square Feet room. Interior spaces flow MLS# 214084019 easily to exterior terraces.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,985,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 5,600 Square Feet MLS# 214084860

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $9,975,000

Wallace Frost-designed 5 Bedrooms French manor on 2.5 acres 4 Full, 3 Half Baths with views of Lower Long 8,131 Total Sq. Ft. Lake. Intricate details and MLS# 214048713 lakeside pavilions.

FRANKLIN VILLAGE $2,950,000

One-of-a-kind expanded & renovated landmark estate on manicured 2+ acres. Open floor plan with abundance of light.

3 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 9,427 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214084662

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $4,200,000 Hamptons lifestyle on Upper Long Lake. Exquisite finishes & views. Expansive walkout offers theatre room, kitchen and billiards room.

BIRMINGHAM $1,399,000

DesRosiers-designed 3 Bedrooms contemporary on private 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 5.7 acre setting. 2 full 3,010 Square Feet kitchens. Walk out LL with MLS# 214083938 2 beds/baths. 6-car garage.

Cindy’s listings at V iewCindyKahn.com Co-listed with Heather Salesin/SKBK

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Beautifully appointed intown end unit townhouse.

Gourmet island kitchen opens to patio. Lowel level with bedroom & bath.

olly Geyer H realtor 248.506.7345 hgeyer@hallandhunter.com

- NEW PRICE -

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,995,000 $900,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,000 Square Feet MLS# 213074271

Desirable Chestnut Run North. Five spacious bedrooms. Traditional floor plan. Finished lower level.

Oversized 3-car garage.

- NEW LISTING -

- NEW LISTING -

BIRMINGHAM $699,000

ORCHARD LAKE $499,000

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $325,000

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2+ acres. Dramatic stone 5 Bedrooms fireplace. Master Suite 5 Full, 2 Half Baths opens to wraparound deck 4,543 Square Feet overlooking pool/grounds.

MLS# 214048713 Fabulous lower level.

- NEW LISTING -

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,734 Square Feet MLS# 214084740

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Gracious home on 1.5 3 Bedrooms acres backing to Cranbrook. 3 Full, 1 Half Baths En suite bedrooms. 5 custom 3,484 Square Feet fireplaces. Luxurious details MLS# 214054706 throughout.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $899,000

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Corner lot in beautiful 5 Bedrooms neighborhood! Spacious 3 Full, 2 Half Baths kitchen opens to family 6,276 Total Sq. Ft. room. 16’ x 12’ sun room.

MLS# 214081332 Finished lower level.

LaPlaya sub with privileges 3 Bedrooms on Upper Straits Lake. 1st 3 Full Baths floor master. Living room 3,271 Total Sq. Ft. opens to huge wrap around MLS# 214085462 deck. Walkout lower level.

holly’s listings at V iewhollygeyer.com

Private end unit condo backing to woods. 1st floor master. Updated kitchen.

Finished lower level with bedroom/bath opens to patio.

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Acho Renee Lossiarealtor 248.310.1414 renee@reneeacho.com

Experience the Difference Between an Agent and an Expert

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $5,795,000 4 Bedrooms 6 Full, 3 Half Baths 18,500 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214084027

Modern masterpiece on 2 Bedrooms 4.5 acres. Spa retreat master. 3 Full, 1 Half Baths Pool & cabana. Walkout LL 3,000 Square Feet with theater, yoga & billiard MLS# 214084260 rooms. 8-car garage.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,145,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,431 Square Feet MLS# 214084488

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BIRMINGHAM $1,475,000

Exquisite in-town end unit 6 Bedrooms with elevator. Impressive 6 Full, 2 Half Baths moldings & woodwork 9,567 Total Sq. Ft. throughout. Finished lower MLS# 214084256 level with wine cellar.

BIRMINGHAM $575,000

Remodeled home in Wabeek 3 Bedrooms Lake sub. Top-of-the-line 2 Full, 1 Half Baths kitchen. Saltwater pool and 2,000 Square Feet covered grill. Finished MLS# 214085499 lower level. 3-car garage.

WALNUT LAKE FRONT $2,950,000

WEST BLOOMFIELD $589,000

Large corner lot with views 4 Bedrooms overlooking Birmingham 3 Full, 1 Half Baths County Club. Family room 4,569 Total Sq. Ft. opens to deck with pergola.

MLS# 214084275 Finished lower level.

Renee’s listings at V iewReneeAcho.com

Masterpiece on all-sports Walnut Lake offers great panoramic views. Tobocan design. Finished walkout lower level. Heated pool.

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Cul-de-sac with private beach, lake and boat docking privileges. Eat-in kitchen opens to balcony.

Walkout LL with bed/bath.

Ginny Fisher realtor 248.593.0518 gfisher@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,699,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,385 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214050438

3 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 5,202 Square Feet MLS# 214018619

Stunning lake views!

4 Bedrooms Elevator to all 4 floors.

4 Full, 1 Half Baths Chef ’s dream kitchen.

3,809 Square Feet Master retreat. Artist studio.

Walkout LL w/heated floors. MLS# 214066515

Beautifully renovated home on 3/4 acre setting.

Island kitchen with marble counters. 1st floor master.

Expansive patio.

- NEW PRICE -

- SOLD -

TROY $549,900

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $799,900

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS $799,000

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Private gated enclave on ravine setting. Finished walkout with possible 5th bedroom. Lower paver terraces. 4-car garage.

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE $1,099,000

- SALE PENDING -

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,269 Square Feet MLS# 214082542

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Stylishly renovated in Oak 5 Bedrooms River sub. Chef ’s delight 4 Full, 2 Half Baths kitchen opens to family 3,848 Square Feet room. Lovely master retreat.

MLS# 214071595 Finished LL. 3-car garage.

Private setting deep in sub.

5 Bedrooms Great room opens to patio 5 Full, 2 Half Baths with stone amphitheater5,841 Total Sq. Ft. style seating. Expansive MLS# 214037186 master suite. Finished LL.

iew Ginny’s listings at Vginnyfisherhomes.com

Light-filled & beautifully renovated. Gorgeous family room and sun room. Chef ’s delight kitchen. Finished walkout LL. Expansive deck.

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500

Amy Zimmer and

Hill Susanrealtor

azimmer@hallandhunter.com

248. 225.1399

248.930.5656

shill@hallandhunter.com

tglime@hallandhunter.com

Tiffany Glime 248.469.6430

- SOLD -

BIRMINGHAM | $599,000 3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,674 Square Feet MLS# 214051064

Beautiful home close to Pierce School and parks. Gourmet maple kitchen. Brazilian cherry floors. Master suite with fireplace and limestone bath. 1st/2nd floor laundries. 2.5-car garage with bonus room. Finished lower level.

- NEW TO MARKET -

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE | $599,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,674 Square Feet MLS# 214080443

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Quiet cul-de-sac location with updated baths and kitchen. Family room opens onto an expansive deck with pergola. Beautifully landscaped private yard. New HVAC in 2008, tear-off roof in 2002. Birmingham Schools.

ROYAL OAK | $200,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 1,728 Square Feet MLS# 214085560

Updated home on huge corner lot (50’ x 200’) across from park. Large family room leads to spacious deck and 2 fenced yards. Detached 2-car garage with storage/workshop area.

Partially finished LL. Great opportunity!

and other listings at V iew these hallandhunter.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500

Announcing the real estate team of Sal Impastato and Mark L. Bess

Contact Sal or Mark for a market analysis or staging consultation on your h

al Impastato S realtor

Bess Mark L.realtor

248.763.2223

248.425.3778

simpastato@hallandhunter.com

mbess@hallandhunter.com

Call Sal or Mark for a market analysis and a staging consultation on your home.

- SOLD IN 5 DAYS -

- NEW PRICE -

- SALE PENDING -

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,650,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,500,000

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP $825,000

5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 8,148 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214070482

Private ravine setting with views of hillside gardens & woods. Expansive granite/ stainless island kitchen.

Walkout LL. 3-car garage.

- NEW LISTING -

- NEW LISTING -

BIRMINGHAM $649,900

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $647,500

BLOOMFIELD HILLS $389,500

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Desirable “Little San 3 Bedrooms Francisco” area. Gardens 3 Full, 1 Half Baths & walled courtyard. Up3,104 Square Feet dated kitchen. Space above MLS# 214054706 garage ready to finish.

Story book setting in 4 Bedrooms Foxcroft! Renovations 2 Full, 1 Half Baths throughout. Master 1,449 Square Feet with new marble bath. 3 MLS# 214068234 fireplaces. Full basement.

Sal and Mark’s Listings at V iewhallandhunter.com

Updated ranch with large kitchen opening to yard & pool. Full basement adds 1000+ sq. ft. and includes family room & bedroom.

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Spectacular 2.2-acre hilltop 4 Bedrooms setting. Updated kitchen.

4 Full, 1 Half Baths Private master with marble 5,540 Total Sq. Ft. bath. Finished walkout MLS# 214074392 lower level opens to pool.

- NEW LISTING -

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,062 Square Feet MLS# 214082799

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DesRosiers-designed 5 Bedrooms contemporary with views 5 Full, 2 Half Baths of Bloomfield Hills Country 6,578 Total Sq. Ft. Club. Private master wing.

MLS# 214080741 Expansive walkout LL.

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

proudly presents the

E

11th Annual

state Sale of Antiques, Collectibles & Treasures

to benefit

Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham

Free and open to the public. Donations of gentlyused antiques, furniture, collectibles and other items (no clothing, books or bed linens, please) are greatly appreciated. For pick up of larger items, please contact Gillian Lazar or Pam Gray at 248.644.3500.

Tax deduction forms are available upon request.

Items from past sales

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Visit hallandhunter.com or call 248.644.3500

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Cheryl Riback

associate broker,

ABR, SRES

248.808.3112 criback@hallandhunter.com

3819 LAPLAYA LANE | ORCHARD LAKE | $3,300,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 6,148 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214079844

The splendor of lake living in this prime estate on 2.53 acres with 150’ frontage on Upper Straits Lake. Boat/finished guest house. Beautiful views from the new open cook’s kitchen and family room that leads into a sun room. Extensive landscaping, generator, art studio and second sun room in walkout lower level leading to a patio. Amazing master suite with fireplace, office and lake views. 3-car garage. Live like you’re on vacation all year round!

2644 INDIAN MOUND ROAD S. | BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE | $2,900,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,996 Square Feet MLS# 214050550

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A spectacular landmark home located within desirable Bloomfield Village. This original estate home — known as “Red Oaks” — was remodeled in 2009 while preserving the original architectural details. Professionally decorated by renowned designers and featured in Home and Garden Magazine. Luxurious, private living at its finest surrounded by magnificent gardens and pool. New kitchen and bathrooms, enclosed porch and library.

cheryl’s listings at V iew hallandhunter.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

LEGACY JEWELRY IS ANTIQUE JEWELRY

LEGACY JEWELRY. EVER-CHANGING, EVER-EVOLVING COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND ESTATE JEWELRY. ONE OF A KIND PIECES THAT EXCITE AND THRILL YOUR IMAGINATION. LOVE, WEAR AND SHARE. GOLD, DIAMONDS & PLATINUM. WE ARE CURRENTLY PURCHASING ALL FINE ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE JEWELRY. ONE PIECE TO ENTIRE COLLECTIONS. NOT JUST A SHOWCASE. AN ENTIRE STORE DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF ANTIQUE & VINTAGE JEWELRY I INVITE YOU TO SHARE IN MY PASSION NEAL BLAZ 700 N. Old Woodward, Ste. 200 Birmingham, MI 48009

248.723.9975 Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mondays by Special Appointment www.legacyestatejewelry.com mrlegacyjewelry@gmail.com

BUY • SELL • TRADE • LOANS

Big Beaver

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ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND ESTATE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SECOND GENERATION NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY; PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

FACES

Adam Sztykiel he creator of the NBC comedy “Undateable” says he knows what it’s like to be undateable.

“Everybody goes through an undateable period in their lives,” Adam Sztykiel said, referring to an abject existence of rejection, void of companionship or intimacy. That’s not a reference to being married, which the former Groves High School graduate is, rather a reference to the Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle’s book, “Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won’t Be Dating or Having Sex,” from which Sztykiel and screenwriter Bill Lawrence took the show’s name.

“Either because they don’t have enough money, or because of their fashion, most people grow out of it. We wanted to show guys who haven’t quite grown out of that.”

The show, includes cast members Chris D’Elia and Brent Morin, who play a pair of odd-couple roommates consumed with dating world success. Filmed live in Hollywood, the show is set in a Ferndale bar owned by Morin’s character, Justin, whom Sztykiel based upon himself. In July, NBC announced it would pick up the show for a second season.

“That was a decision that Bill Lawrence and I made early on,” Sztykiel said about basing the show in Ferndale. “It’s a show pretty much about underdogs, and that is the point and time. Detroit is an underdog city, and it’s a great match for the show. It’s not a city that lays down, we continue to fight, and there’s a lot of pride there, and I think that speaks to the characters in the show. They are going through tough times, but they never stop being themselves.”

Sztykiel said while Justin’s character is based on him, his roommate Danny’s character is more like Bill Lawrence, who has more outward confidence and neuroses.

“Justin is the bar owner, who sometimes takes big swings – such as buying and opening the bar – but has less than perfect results when trying to figure it out.”

Sztykiel said he had wanted to be a director since his days at Groves, so he went to film school at the University of Southern California. While there, he began to take writing more seriously, and along with some other friends from high school, met his first manager. After writing about 15 screenplays that never “saw the light of day,” Sztykiel found his first success with the film “Made of Honor.”

“This was the first show I got on the air,” he said about “Undateable”. “The difference between television and movies – with movies they move at a glacial pace, and you have years to rewrite. In television, you basically have six days to rewrite and shoot.”

In pitching the show to NBC, Sztykiel said he and Lawrence brought photos of themselves from their more awkward years.

“When we pitched the show, we were relatively successful and attractive men,” he said. “We brought photos of ourselves in our mid-20s, when we made some bad choices. I had frosted hair tips and a shell necklace.”

T

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KU KLUX KLAN: DIMINISHED BUT GROUPS STILL AROUND

BY LISA BRODY

cott Shephard, who calls himself a reformed racist after over 20 years of membership in four different Ku Klux Klan groups, including the White Citizen’s Council of the rural Mississippi Delta, recounts his own tale, “Over the years I was in the Klan, I participated in lots of rallies and intimidation. There were cross burnings on peoples’ yards, or on public property, and lots of beatings. I witnessed many, and kinda encouraged some. But I didn’t get involved with any violent activities. There’s no other way to put it.”

Shephard eventually rose to become the Grand Dragon – the Klan leader – of the Tennessee state Klan, running for elected office as a white supremacist, before leaving that life after going into alcohol rehabilitation, where he said he “was exposed to people of all races, religions, sexual preferences. We had to sit down with these people. When you get to know people, you accept them.

“I went in one person, and I came out another.”

Today, at 55 years of age, Shephard is a funeral director and embalmer in suburban Memphis and is twice-divorced. He said he became involved with the Klan at 17, and although he insists he did not come from a racist family, “it was an alcoholic family. There was violence and abuse in my family that set some roots to my story.”

S

Michael Sbrocca Associate Broker

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09.14

The Ku Klux Klan. It’s a sordid and embarrassing chapter in our nation’s history, a remnant of the Civil War, and a legacy of racial profiling, terror and intimidation. It continued into the 20th century as northern industry moved to integrate factories and businesses, threatening the livelihoods and way of life for those filled with fear and hate.

Yet, in the early years of the 21st century, with an African American president, years of economic turmoil followed by static growth and lingering unemployment and underemployment, along with the hot button social issues of gay marriage, immigration turmoil, abortion and gun control, Ku Klux Klan groups have quietly re-emerged, and not only in the south, where Shepherd lives. Although local law enforcement agencies assert there have been no incidents or activities affiliated with the Klan, numerous websites and the Anti-Defamation League, Michigan Region, reveal that the Klan has rebounded, although certainly not to their historic levels. esperate for publicity, and always eager to spread hate and terror, the Southern Poverty Law Center said the North Carolina-based New Emperor Knights of the Ku Klux Klan says its Missouri chapter is raising money for the white police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

“We are setting up a reward/fund for the police officer who shot this thug,” the Klan group said in an email. “He is a hero! We need more white cops who are anti-Zog and willing to put Jewish controlled black thugs in their place. Most cops are cowards and do nothing while 90% of interracial crime is black (and nonwhite) on white.”

“The KKK believes the U.S is drowning in a tide of non-white immigration, controlled and orchestrated by Jews, and is vigorously trying to bring this message to Americans concerned or fearful about immigration,” said Deborah Lauter, civil rights director of the ADL. The immigration debate is credited with re-energizing the the Klan in Michigan and 18 other states in the midwest, south, Great Plains, and mid-Atlantic states, she said. Lauter said Phil Lawson, Imperial Wizard of the United Northern and Southern Knights, in Fraser, Michigan, the largest KKK group in Michigan, is quoted as saying that membership has grown at an “astounding pace” over the last decade.

“There is no one Ku Klux Klan, of course, but dozens of different Ku Klux Klan groups of varying sizes scattered around the country,” said Heidi Budaj, director for the Michigan region of the ADL. “The midwest has been a historical area of strength for Ku Klux Klan groups, but everything is relative: the Klan has been in longterm decline for some time, nationally and in Michigan.

“Although various Ku Klux Klan groups may have or claim to have some sort of presence (organized or individual members) in Michigan, the actual presence is small,” Budaj continued.

“Only one Klan group has actually been

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headquartered in Michigan in recent years, the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (in Fraser).” Recently, they changed their headquarter’s address to Illinois.

Imperial Grand Wizard Cole Thornton, a retired electrician now living in Florida, said on a Klan website that the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is active and successfully recruiting. In a story in the Orlando Sentinel on July 21, 2014, Thornton, whose real name is Charles Denton, refused to reveal membership numbers, but said “the Klan advocates for white Christian civil rights.”

According to a message from Lawson, which cited a proclamation from Thornton, qualifications for membership in the order shall be: “An applicant must be a white person, of no Jewish ancestry, a native person born in the United States...The applicant must be of sound mind, good character, and free of any homosexual activities or thoughts, they must have a commendable reputation and a respectable vocation, and they must be a believer of the Christian religion.” Their loyalty, allegiance and devotion is to the Klan order.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which counts chapters of the Ku Klux Klan every year, reported that there are currently three chapters in Michigan, the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, located in Fraser; New Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in central Michigan Beal City in Isabella County, ; and Invisible Knights of the Fiery Cross, headquartered in Gladwin, in Gladwin County, next to Isabella County.

Gladwin County Sheriff Mike Shea said, “As far as I know, we don’t have any indications of any activity in Gladwin County. If there’s any activity in Gladwin County, I and my administrators and associates don’t know about it.”

Tony Wickersham, Macomb County sheriff, said, “There’s nothing really. Not many hate crimes. I know there has been ethnic intimidation and someone has been provoked because of their race or religion, but nothing with the KKK.” Neither the Fraser Police Department, nor the Isabella County Sheriff, returned calls.

Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said their office hasn’t observed any KKK activity in 10 years or more in Oakland County.

Yet in 2009, an Oakland County African American family discovered a burning cross in their yard.

Despite smaller numbers and a lower profile, the Klan is still, in every way, a racist and exclusionary organization looking to make its members feel superior to everyone else. Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, which investigates hate and racist organizations, said, “The modern-day Klan, with its membership much shrunken, is fundamentally racist – anti-Latino, anti-immigrant, anti-gay.”

After all, the first question on the Klan’s membership application asks, “Are you a nativeborn, white, non-Jewish, American citizen?”

“I was involved in several Klan groups –

actually four different ones. If any Klan had a white supremacist agenda, I was there,” Shepherd said. “I was also involved with the National Association of the Advancement of White People, with David Duke for several years.”

It is estimated there are about 5,000 members of the Ku Klux Klan nationwide, with strong membership in states like Colorado, Indiana and Illinois, as well as traditional southern states like Mississippi and Arkansas, which Potok hastens to point out is small compared to its historical eras.

“In the 1920s, there were estimated to be about 4 million members of the Klan. That was the second era of the Klan. In the third era, the mid-1960s, during the civil rights era, there were about 40,000 Klansmen. Then the Klan was incredibly violent,” Potok said. “Today, a lot of them are sitting around drinking beer and writing posts on the web.”

The ADL asserts that the Klan has embraced the Internet as a way to spread anti-Semitism and racism, and that it is a convenient publicity tool for them, allowing them to reach a wide cadre of disaffected individuals.

Internet postings by alleged Klansmen are not hard to find, and they exist in Michigan. For example, on the Michigan Rollcall website, a Klan-affiliated website, recent writings include, from January 2014: “I live in oakland county (sic). Warren, Roseville, Troy, Rochester. Area. I DAILY see beautiful whites on dates with negros. Especially at bars they leave 2 a.m to go have sex with them. In europe the RACE TRAITORS are publicly SHAMED! In America its normal & the TRAITORS are treated nice.

WE men! need to UNITE and treat them as there (sic) true form. WHITE TRASH! As alone were not a FORCE! IN GROUPS in public we could shame TRAITORS. IF they have a problem. DEAL WITH OUR GROUP.” hat drives someone to post a hate-filled rant, seeking and receiving responses? Similar to those in other radical right wing movements, whether political or social movements, “There’s a lot of resentment in America right now now about the way America is changing, and all of the cultural changes,” Potok said.

The ADL concurs. “The Ku Klux Klan has experienced a surprising and troubling resurgence due to the successful exploitation of hot button issues including immigration, gay marriage and urban crime. Klan groups have witnessed a surprising and troubling resurgence by exploiting fears of an immigration explosion, and the debate over immigration has in turn helped to fuel an increase in Klan activity, with new groups sprouting in parts of the country that have not seen much activities. They hold anti-immigration rallies and recruitment drives and distribute racist literature, with a new emphasis on the immigration issue, and Hispanics.”

“The biggest reason (for the hatred) is that the American population is changing demographically,” Potok noted. “Whites will be

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the minority for the first time in 2043. There are changes in very real and concrete ways. There is very real anger and hostility, and it’s driving people to the radical right, whether it’s the Tea Party or other movements.

“The Klan is a little different,” Potok continued. “To some it’s a bit romantic. After Reconstruction, it was portrayed as the great white savior, the white woman’s savior from southern black Negroes. But to other sectors of the radical right, like the Neo-Nazis, they’re ignorant country bumpkins who live in trailers.

They’re not far wrong. Klansmen are all very rural. There are no urban Klan members today.

They’re all working class or below, working in agricultural jobs or minimum wage jobs. Many members of the Klan are made up of Klan members family and friends.” he Ku Klux Klan initially rose in the south during Reconstruction in the years following the Civil War by groups of angry conservative white men.

The Klan was initially formed in 1866 in Tennessee. Since “klan” is similar to “clan”, to members it meant a “circle of brothers.” In March 1867, with the federal passage of the Military Reconstruction Acts, and the prospect of voting rights for blacks, the Klan became more than a social circle, it became a political organization. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, “From 1868 through the early 1870s, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) functioned as a loosely organized group of political and social terrorists. The Klan’s goals included the political defeat of the Republican Party and the maintenance of absolute white supremacy in response to newly gained civil and political rights by southern blacks after the Civil War.” This era, which encompassed terrorism and murder, is referred to as the First Ku Klux Klan, and it faded away in the early 1870s as their Democratic candidates triumphed in the south, Jim Crow laws secured white domination, and there was very aggressive federal intervention of the Klan in 1871 and 1872. Some small local Klan groups continued as backwoods rifle clubs, but they lost their political clout and legitimacy.

The KKK sprang to life again in the 1920s, reinvented in 1915 in Georgia by William J. Simmons, an ex-minister and all round rabble rouser, and it spread throughout the country like wildfire, with its tentacles reaching well into Michigan, including in the metropolitan Detroit area. At that time, the KKK broadened its hatred to include not only blacks, but Jews, Catholics, Poles, Italians and Irish, the lower economic immigrant groups of the day, which explains its wider appeal.

Its attraction fed into the militant patriotism that had been aroused by World War I, and it stressed fundamentalism in religion. In the mid1920s, when Klan membership was at its peak, it is estimated there were 4 to 5 million who belonged. It is also the only time when there was one singular Klan, Potok said, united as one Ku Klux Klan group with its headquarters in Atlanta.

“In every other era, including today, there is

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no one ‘the’ Klan. There are 27 different Klans, run by 27 different guys,” Potok said. “Only in the second era Klan was it unitary.”

While Detroit was a station on the Underground Railroad and a meeting place for leading abolitionists, it was also a strong KKK stronghold in the early and mid-20th century.

The Great Migration of the 1920s, when southern blacks moved to northern cities for jobs, filled Detroit with rural blacks in addition to European immigrants. Some referred to Detroit of that time as the “most southern” of northern cities.

In the early 1920s, at least 40,000 Klansmen lived in the city itself, and a KKK-affiliated mayor was almost elected. In 1925, Ossian Sweet, a black doctor, moved his family into a white neighborhood, on Garland Street at Charlevoix. According to historian Kevin Boyle, racist mobs attacked the family in their home, and the Sweets defended themselves with guns, killing one attacker. Sweet was tried and acquitted by an all white jury.

Some Oakland County communities, as well as neighboring counties, became bastions of white working class individuals as factories employed more and more individuals, and grew Ku Klux Klan groups.

In 1924, the Rev. Oren Van Loon of Berkley Community Church, preached to his congregation against cross burnings by the Klan, and on June 30, 1924, he was kidnapped by the Klan. He was found 11 days later, alive, in Battle Creek, with the KKK brand on his back.

In 1926 in Royal Oak, on Woodward and 12 Mile Road, in what was then a predominantly Protestant area, the Detroit Catholic Archdiocese built a church in honor of Saint Therese de Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower. Two weeks after it opened, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in front of the church. Then, on March 17, 1936, a fire, possibly set by the Klan, destroyed the original wood structure. It was rebuilt of stone and copper.

A news clip from Macomb County, on September 30, 1925, reads: “Kluxers order family to move. Smash window and attempt to fire home, it is charged. Mother and children alone, flee in fright. Renewal of activities by the Ku Klux Klan in Macomb County was reported last night when the family of Charles Frohm on the Telegraph Road was told to move within three weeks or suffer the consequences. The latter were not long in coming for they seemed to accompany the warning given by a hooded figure who appeared at the farmhouse, smashed a window and then attempted to fire the building with a large dishpan filled with burning oil soaked with rags...It is said that last night’s warning is the second that have been given the Frohms by the Klan.” urther, Potok said, “In the 1920s, the Klan owned the government in a lot of areas. They were intimately connected to real power, and had a close connection. In 1928, the Klan helped break the Democratic hold on the south; but reaching that pinnacle led to that era’s demise. By 1930, it is estimated that there were

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only 30,000 Klansmen, a sharp decline in membership. A combination of having attained some of their goals combined with several state laws that forbade masks, which eliminated their “secret” element, the economic collapse with the Depression, when members couldn’t pay their dues, as well as a lot of bad publicity about the Klan that it was being run by thugs and swindlers, led to a loss of members.

The Civil Rights era, and its inherent racial turmoil, led to the third era of the Ku Klux Klan.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, this era was the Klan’s most violent in its brutal and thuggish history.

“The Klan arose a third time during the 1960s to oppose the civil rights movement and to preserve segregation in the face of unfavorable court rulings. The Klan’s bombings, murders and other attacks took a great many lives, including, among others, four young girls killed while preparing for Sunday services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.,” they wrote.

Desegregation and court-ordered busing led to Klan activities locally. In 1971, Wallace Fruit, the grand dragon of the Drayton Plains (Waterford) KKK, along with five followers, including Robert Miles, the grand dragon of the Michigan KKK, bombed 10 school busses in Pontiac. They were charged, and convicted, by the FBI with violating federal bomb laws, conspiracy to obstruct federal court orders and conspiracy to violate the 1968 Civil Rights Act. But the Reagan era seemed to quiet the Klan down, and little was heard from them or most other hate groups. An auction in Howell, in Livingston County, in 2005, of seven KKK robes and other Klan paraphernalia, brought the Klan back into focus.

Miles had died in 1992, but his legacy in Howell was long. While the auction highlighted the Klan’s history and ties to Howell, today it does not appear – statistically – that there are Klan members in Livingston County.

But that doesn’t mean anger and hatred hasn’t reared its head again.

In New York state in 2013, a Klansman was arrested and stands accused of trying to build a massive X-ray machine to murder thousands of Muslims.

“He was going to put the machine he had built in a large truck,” said Potok. “He was a mechanical engineer working for General Electric. He had built a remote to turn on this mechanical device and was going to pull it in front of a mosque, go to a hotel, and pump out deadly radiation, turn it off, and then drive off.

People wouldn’t get sick for a day or two, and so he could get away clean. He was caught, according to the indictment, because he didn’t have the money to do it and he shopped the idea to two Jewish agencies – ‘I have a weapon that will destroy the enemies of Israel’. As soon as he walked out the door, they called the FBI. He goes on trial this fall.”

Rallies and leafleting are taking place throughout the country, even if actual Klan groups remain small.

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SCHOOL LIAISON POLICE OFFICERS PROVIDING COMMUNITY PROTECTION

BY LISA BRODY AND KEVIN ELLIOTT

ince there have been kids, there have been kids having fights and disagreements. Their remedy usually was to fight it out with their fists on the playground after school. But no longer. Today, there are weapons, verbal abuse, bullying, school massacres, criminal behavior, all occurring in the hallways of our local high schools.

Most of us were unaware of the transformation from the simpler days of teenage posturing to full out carnage before what we know as “Columbine”, the high school shooting by two quiet misfits at Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999, which killed 12 students and one teacher before the shooters took their own lives. Since then, we’ve been bombarded with numerous school shootings around the country, from Jonesboro, Ark., at Virginia Tech, at a community college in Houston, an elementary school in Georgia, and of course, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT in December 2012. All tragic and cataclysmic events, each filled with anger, angst, possibly mental illness, and a desire by school administrators and parents to figure out a way to combat the scourge of school dangers and keep their children safe.

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One way school districts across the nation have been fighting back is through the use of school liaison officers, where police officers work within the school setting, primarily in the district’s high schools, on police and disciplinary matters. Districts across the country began this practice first in the early 1990s, and it has continued to grow, as federal subsidies have helped local school districts, municipalities and police forces pay to provide armed police officers in their schools.

Of the 28 school districts in Oakland County, a majority currently utilize school liaison officers in some or all of their schools. From the northern reaches of the county, in Brandon and Clarkston, to the southernmost ends of the county, in Southfield and Novi, districts are coordinating and employing liaison officers as a way to build relationships with teachers, students, parents and staff, to create healthy and safe environments for students to learn and thrive.

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et a debate rages amongst some educators, law enforcement officials and those who provide the funding, as to whether the use of armed officers in schools has actually led to a decrease in crime and dangerous behaviors in schools rather than an actual increase in criminal charges against kids for behavior and activities that would have gotten them a detention if the police weren’t in the building.

Have school liaison officers become an expensive panacea for administrators, staff and parents afraid of the next possible school shooting?

According to the National Association of School Resource Officers, their role within the school is to act as teacher, counselor, and law enforcement officer. “SRO programs across the nation are founded as collaborative efforts by police agencies, law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents, and communities,” their website states. “The goal of NASRO and SRO programs it to provide safe learning environments in our nation’s schools, provide valuable resources to school staff, foster a positive relationship with our nation’s youth, and develop strategies to resolve problems affecting our youth with the goal of protecting every child so they can reach their fullest potential.”

NASRO estimates that there are currently hundreds of school liaison officers nationwide; in Oakland County, there are at least 23 school liaison officers working full time in various districts. Brandon Schools has had one liaison officer in their high school for at least the last 15 years, completely funded by the district’s general fund, while Farmington Schools has three, one in each of their high schools, and they have had police liaison officers for at least the last 18 years. The officers are partially funded by the schools, and partially by the city.

Birmingham Public Schools have four different officers working part time, representing the four different municipalities – Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Township and Troy – that the district covers. Birmingham Schools provides partial funding, as does each police department. While Birmingham spokesperson Marcia Wilkinson doesn’t know the history of the liaison program for the district, “It’s been many, many years,” she said.

“It’s been a very positive relationship and experience for the schools, and we really value the work our liaison officers provide.”

Bloomfield Township police provides full time support to the Bloomfield Hills School District, “and they are designated as full time support to all of the schools, including local private schools,” said Shira Good, director, communications and community relations for Bloomfield Hills Schools.

Funding is provided by both the school district and the township in a partnership, Good said.

Since Bloomfield Hills consolidated from two high schools to one, they have maintained both liaison officers, and they work together in servicing the two campuses, as well as working collaboratively to support the district’s other buildings.

Each of Huron Valley Schools’ two high schools have a full time officer, and they float to other school buildings as needed, said director of community relations and fund development Kim Root. With salary and benefits, each officer costs the district a little over $100,000, she said, which the district covers.

“In our buildings, they’re viewed as part of the administrative team,” Root said. “They do everything but curriculum. They coordinate with staff and administrators on all other aspects.”

Southfield Public Schools has had three school liaison officers, one for each of their three high schools, since 1995, and the West Bloomfield School District has one, for West Bloomfield High School, although district spokesperson Pamela Zajac said officer Chuck Mendham bounces between all of their schools.

Lee Van Camp, school resource officer at Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, said this will be another year where he is the only liaison officer assigned to the school district, despite the district having three high

schools. In addition, he said he takes calls at any of the other buildings, middle schools and elementary schools, where he is needed.

“It’s a heavy caseload for one full time officer,” he said. In the past, the district had three liaison officers, one for each high school, but due to budget cuts, the program was reduced to one officer. In addition, during the summer months, he works open cases as a detective in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Commerce Substation, as well as cases that remain open from the previous school year. “It’s an instance of doing more with less.” The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department has worked with the district for over 20 years to provide police liaison officers in the schools.

Waterford Schools currently has two liaison officers, one at Mott and one at Kettering, provided by the Waterford Police Department, with Waterford Township and the school district splitting the cost of the officers evenly. In addition, the district has hired five safety coordinators to work in all of their schools.

Royal Oak Schools, with one high school, has one school liaison officer, as do Hazel Park Schools and Berkley, Novi, and Madison Heights Schools, where the program began just last school year. Shawn Lewis-Lakin, superintendent of Royal Oak Schools, said they split the funding of the position with the city of Royal Oak, with the district picking up 80 percent of the officer’s cost, which has been an important position in the schools for the last 10 years.

Novi Schools Superintendent Steve Matthews said his district has one full time liaison officer which is funded by the district. “The officer is assigned to the high school; however he will assist in other buildings as needed.”

Troy Schools does it a little differently, with a school liaison officer in the elementary school –and private security services at the high schools.

“We have our own security at the high schools run by a retired police officer that is different from liaison officers,” said Kerry Birmingham, community relations and media director for Troy Schools. “This provides heightened security and relationship issues as well. It’s not run through the Troy Police Department, but they work closely with them. They work on a rotating schedule, but there is one person in each high school at any given time. A big part of that is relationship-building with our high school students. They are safe, but not armed.”

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ut not all local districts have incorporated an officer into their schools, either for financial reasons, or because the district is small and it’s believed the local police department can monitor and handle disturbances. Monique Beels, superintendent of Clawson Public Schools, said, “The police department, the high school, and the middle school campus are on the same lot, and the police station is right there. They can walk right over.”

Lamphere Schools, in Madison Heights, does not have a dedicated liaison officer, but sends over a juvenile officer from the Madison Heights Police Department if a call arises that necessitates one. In S. Lyon, police go in and out of schools during the day, but there is not a school liaison officer.

The Clarenceville School District has eliminated the school liaison officer position. Avondale Schools, similarly, now uses police from Auburn Hills after the district needed to make cuts. Oak Park Schools and Pontiac Schools, both of which once had school liaison officers, are examining whether they can re-institute their programs once funding is restored.

On the benefits of hiring and utilizing a police officer as a school liaison officer, NASRO asserts that, “An officer can not only help stop an active shooter situation, but also helps students deal with the trauma from those types of situations. In addition, the school resource officers are often the first to respond. Many of the officers working in the Colorado school district were trained by the National Association of School Resource Officers – located in Hoover.”

“What we train them to do is not sit or stand and wait for help but to be able to address the incident immediately and find the shooter and end the situation,” said Mo Canady, executive director of NASRO. “After Sandy Hook occurred, our phones rang off the hook. Our training has doubled this past year.”

Yet there is no hard and fast statistical evidence that placing a trained police officer in a school will prevent a school shooting, nor improve overall safety, according to Denise C. Gottfredson, a professor of criminology at the University of Maryland, who asserts that having the officer in the school can increase the number of minor behavior problems that are referred to police, forcing kids into the criminal system, rather than administrators handling the situations themselves. In fact, in both the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings, there were armed guards on campus at the time of the shootings.

“Middle and high schools aggregate youths who are in their peak crime

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years. Hence it is not surprising that crime rates in schools are high,” Gottfredson wrote in an academic paper, “School Crime Control and Prevention.” “Other things equal, youth violence rates tend to be higher when school is in session than not.”

One key reason, she said, is due to zero tolerance policies in schools over the last 20 years for some offenses, as well as the nationwide subsidization of uniformed police officers to patrol schools. “The shift has been from administrative discretion to mandatory penalties, and from in-school discipline to increasing use of suspension or arrest. At the same time, there has been a considerable investment in the use of surveillance cameras and metal detectors. While the increasing formality in school response to crime has coincided with the declining crime rates, there is no clear indication of whether the new approach gets any of the credit. Indeed, the evaluation literature which we review here has very little to say about the likely effects of these changes. As so often happens, there appears to be a disconnect between policy and research.”

The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing concurs. “Despite their popularity, few studies are available which have reliably evaluated the effectiveness of SROs. Addressing this is important in order to inform future SRO programs and to improve our understanding on how to maximize effectiveness with limited resources.”

With or without hard statistical evidence, most schools and districts are looking to increase the overall safety in and outside of their schools, as well as to increase the perception of safety at their schools. Many want to create supportive relationships between students, parents and teachers and staff, and hope having liaison officers from a local police force will allow for fewer distractions, whether criminal or behavioral, for teachers from their teaching and class preparation responsibilities.

“If you have a parent who comes into a building who is irate, just having a police officer come in calms the water,” said Bill Good, communications director for Ferndale Schools.

Jacqueline Robinson, community relations director for Southfield Public Schools, said their district’s three school resource officers serve a variety of roles, including keeping a watchful eye on the schools. “We feel they are very effective. There have been occasions where their presence has been assured to students that all is well. They’re there to escort people out of the building who weren’t supposed to be there. If students get too boisterous, they calm the situation,” she said.

Part of their role in the schools is to conduct educational programs for students. “For instance, they have taught young girls to be alert and aware of their surroundings in order to reduce their chances of being a victim of a crime,” Robinson said.

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udy Evola, spokesperson for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, said their district does have quantifiable data to assess the effectiveness of the liaison position. “Each year we’re required to list a variety of ‘reportable’ incidents on state reports,” she said. “We look at these statistics and work with our police liaison officer to continually decrease specific behaviors.”

That helps refine the district’s goals for the program. “The police liaison is a constant safety presence in the school. The primary goal is maintaining a ‘safe’ learning environment – this includes a drug and alcohol-free environment, a weapons-free zone, and a place where students can learn from poor choices and grow as responsible citizens,” Evola said. “In the past, we have utilized the services of the Oakland County Sheriff’s K-9 unit as a preventative measure and we consult with local law enforcement officials when they’re needed.”

“The goals our district has in having school liaison officers is to build relationships with students, teachers and staff, and to create a safe, secure environment,” said Huron Valley Schools’ Kim Root. “Our officers are involved in all aspects with the administrative team. They coordinate with the staff and administrators. In our buildings, they’re viewed as part of the administrative team. They also attend home football and basketball games as a preventative presence, lending a hand to the administration. On the more seamier side, they help orchestrate searches for drug and narcotic activities – they’re front and center with that. In general, we don’t have a lot of issues, but having the liaison officers makes the whole community feel better to have them there.”

Root acknowledged the district doesn’t have any statistical information as to whether the liaison officers are in fact a benefit to the education of its students, only anecdotal data.

“When the district has looked at cuts, either because of declining enrollment or because of state aid decreases, and whenever we bring up police liaisons, the principals fight hard to keep them, so they’re already viewed as a vital part of the equation,” she said. “If the principals say they need this position, this officer, to effectively run their building, that says

volumes about how effective that position is. I know we’ve never had resistance, other than some financial, to having the position. I do think it’s a significant peace of mind for parents, as well as administrators, for them to have police liaisons.”

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heri Kilyk, human resources officer for the Brandon School District, said those in her district feel similarly. “It’s highly effective. “When we ran into some funding problems a few years ago and had to make some cuts, we cut our school liaison officer. That lasted only three months and was quickly restored. He’s been very effective in thwarting drugs and violence in the district, collaborating with our Oakland County Sheriff’s substation. His overall presence has helped decrease the incidences of bullying and harassment. We’ve instituted an anonymous tip line, where anyone can call in and report drug use, bullying, harassment, anything,” she said.

With each school liaison officer costing, with salary and benefits, about $100,000, the question remains for districts and taxpayers, is it all right to pay so dearly for such an expensive salve with anecdotal data?

“Certainly, educators have to make a decision about the kind of atmosphere they want in their schools,” said Justin Long, assistant professor of law at Wayne State University Law School. “They have to balance the need for safety with the negative impression of creating a school that looks like a jail yard. But teachers would rather teach than punish, and typically prefer measures that educate and reform, while the police have a much more punitive approach. School administrators, in a sense, have competing goals when inviting the police into their schools.”

The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing notes that there is research that shows that the presence of an officer in a school can enhance school safety by deterring aggressive behaviors such as student fighting, threats to other students and bullying, and can make it easier for school administrators to maintain order in a school by allowing them to address disorderly behavior in a timely manner, as well as limiting the amount of time administrators actually have to spend on disciplinary matters. They note that today, over half of all public schools have assigned police officers, with the encouragement of federal funding to support local jurisdictions.

The Congressional Research Service has seen an increase in interest in school resource officers since 2012’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, with federal funding requested for fiscal year 2014 at $150 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Their data shows that in 2010, fewer children reported being the victim of a serious crime or a simple assault while at school compared to 1994, when there were few liaison officers.

As to the question of whether having additional liaison officers in schools results in more children being placed in the criminal justice system, their research, while small, suggest that answer is no, as “SROs can deter students from committing assaults on campus as well as bringing weapons to school.”

The National Crime Prevention Council has found that law enforcement agencies coordinating with schools have had positive overall benefits.

“Stationing a police officer in schools encourages positive interactions between police officers and youth, which fosters good communications between the two groups. By working closely with schools and students, law enforcement officers can address problems identified by young people and help diffuse potentially violent situations,” the council asserts. “They also watch for crime and vandalism, and follow up on incidents. In addition, they take incident reports and follow up on information on potential crime threats provided to them by students and staff.”

Royal Oak’s Lewis-Lakin said the liaison officer’s work is based on the community policing model, which is defined by the U.S. Department of Justice as a collaborative part between a law enforcement agency and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop problems and increase trust in police.

“Visibility and presence are critical to such a model,” Lewis-Lakin said.

“The police liaison is another adult in the building with whom students can relate, who provides accessibility to students to police resources.

Students use such resources in resolving issues both within the school as well as outside of the school setting. The police liaison works in partnership with our building leadership team, parents and students themselves.”

“We really value the work our liaison officers provide,” said Wilkinson of Birmingham Public Schools. “Our goals are to have positive relationships between students, parents, administrators, the public and the police. They work together on concerns and issues that might need police intervention, and they also deal a lot with preventative measures.”

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National Association of Realtors Leadership Accademy Member class of 2014 ~ National Association o Realtors, RPAC Major Investor Council representing Michigan ~ Federal Political Coordinator for Congression Sara Lipnitz District 11 ~ Michigan Association of Realtors Board of Directors, district 11 ~ Michigan Association o PMN Past President for WCR Birmingham-Bloomfield ~ GMAR Profession Broker,~ SFR, Associate Realtors, RPAC Trustees Immediate in theRPAC Committee Member ~ 2014 RPAC President's Circle Member Nation been involved Standardshas Committee ~ GMAR Association of Realtors Leadership for over Accademy Member class of 2014 ~ National Association of Realtors industry real-estate RPAC Major InvestorFirst Council in therepresenting Michigan ~ Federal Political Coordinator for Congressional Distric 23 years.

11 ~ Michigan Association of Realtors Board of Directors, district 11 ~ Michigan Association of Realtors, RPA commercial market and for Trustees ~ Immediate Past President for WCR Birmingham-Bloomfield ~ GMAR Professional Standard years inCommittee Member ~ 2012 Realtor of the Year ~ National Association of Realto 13 RPAC Committeethe ~ past GMAR is Sara class sales.

Leadershipresidential Accademy Member of 2014 ~ National Association of Realtors, RPAC Major Investor Counc Realtor Political Coordinator for Congressional District 11 ~ Michigan Association o selling an active representing Michigan ~ Federal Realtors Board of Directors, district 11 ~ 2012 Realtor of the Year ~ RPAC Trustees ~ Immediate Pa sales record. with a strong President Having for WCR Birmingham-Bloomfield ~ GMAR Professional Standards Committee ~ GMAR RPA on the local, served Committee Member ~ 2014 RPAC President's Circle Member ~ National Association of Realtors Leadersh state and national level, she Accademy Member class of 2014 ~ National Association of Realtors, RPAC Major Investor Counc the Political Coordinator for Congressional District 11 ~ Michigan Association o a passion~forFederal hasMichigan representing leader Sara is a true business.

Realtors Board of Directors, district 11 ~ Michigan Association of Realtors, RPAC Trustees ~ Immediate Pa and has proven industry President inforourWCR Birmingham-Bloomfield ~ GMAR Professional Standards Committee ~ GMAR RPA CommitteesoMember 2014 RPAC President's Circle Member National Association of Realtors Leadersh years. over the ~ Accademy Member class of 2014 ~ National Association of Realtors, RPAC Major Investor Counc representing Michigan ~ Federal Political Coordinator for Congressional District 11 ~ Michigan Association o Realtors Board of Directors, district 11 ~ Michigan Association of Realtors, RPA

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THE PPO: SUCCESS, FAILURE SEEKING PROTECTION THROUGH THE CIRCUIT COURT SYSTEM

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

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n a Sunday evening in September 2012, West Bloomfield police officer Patrick O’Rourke was killed while responding with fellow officers to a possible suicide in the 4000 block of Forest Edge Lane, near Pontiac Trail.

O’Rourke and other officers were standing outside of a bedroom door at the house where the shooter, Ricky Coley, was waiting with an arsenal of handguns and rifles. As the officers inquired about his health, Coley fired through the door, fatally wounding the 12-year police veteran. Coley then barricaded himself in the house for a 20hour standoff with police, which eventually ended with a selfinflicted gunshot wound.

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Investigators said the standoff was premeditated. Coley, who had finalized his divorce about four days prior to the shooting, was supposed to be leaving the house he shared with his wife and son in order to head to North Carolina to start a new life. He had lost custody of his child, and divorce filings indicated he had previously attacked his wife and threatened to take their son. Alone in an upstairs bedroom, Coley fired a single gunshot, which caused the family to flee the home and call the police.

“The most dangerous time is when someone is leaving, whether breaking up or getting divorced.

It’s the most dangerous time,” emphasized former assistant prosecutor and current Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca. “All the domestic murders in the past 25 years that I’ve had were all because one of the parties was moving on.”

It’s in those dangerous times when many people choose to seek a personal protection order (PPO) from the circuit court. The goal of the orders is to protect the other party from being beaten, harassed or stalked by another person.

Personal protection orders may also prohibit someone from taking another’s children, and restrict a person from buying or possessing a firearm. In order to protect a potential victim, the circuit court’s family division may issue a PPO ex parte, or without an immediate hearing or the other person’s knowledge. orcyca, who had overseen Coley’s divorce, said there was no PPO in place against Coley. Yet, even if a PPO had been in place, barring Coley from possessing any firearms, it’s no guarantee the threat of jail time would have stopped the slaying.

“I always tell everyone to be very careful.

Nobody should have a false sense of security because of a personal protection order,” Gorcyca said. “A lot of people think that because they have a PPO, they are safe, but that’s not the case.

When I was a prosecutor, I had two murder cases where the PPO was laying next to the dead body.

It doesn’t stop bullets. It doesn’t stop knives. It doesn’t stop strangulations. All it is is a piece of paper. In severe cases, it isn’t doing anything.”

Still, despite some shortcomings on safety and some other potential problems involved with issuing PPOs, Gorcyca,other judges, attorneys, law enforcement and domestic violence counselors say personal protection orders are often helpful.

“They can be helpful in the right circumstances,” Gorcyca said. “Circuit court is a very serious court. People need to treat PPOs very seriously. If you are following it, you are going to be fine, and it will expire. But if there is a violation, you are putting your liberty at risk. We try our best and hope to get them right. There are seven judges doing all the PPOs for the entire county – that’s about 200 to 250 each month, with new ones coming in.”

Of the 2,412 total PPO cases that were filed in Oakland County Circuit Court in 2013, just 1,292

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adult PPOs were issued. In 2012, the family division heard 2,708 PPO cases, and 3,052 in 2011. While the number of PPO cases have gone down each of the past three years, violations of the orders appear to be increasing. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 made just 15 arrests for contempt of court violations, which include PPO violations. The department made 31 arrests in 2012, and 37 in 2013.

Arrests for contempt of court violations from other local police departments aren’t included in the sheriff’s figures. irmingham Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Clemence said he believes the PPO law is good for both potential victims and for law enforcement.

“I think people who get them feel safer,” he said. “When someone is being harassed or stalked by another person, based on what they tell us, we suggest they obtain a PPO because it gives us more power to arrest them. The person who is subjected to a PPO, they are more aware of their activity. It’s a great tool for law enforcement, because instead of putting the situation in the officer’s mind, the judge has already looked at it, and the officer is just enforcing the court order. I think that’s a huge benefit to the victim and the officer.”

There are two types of PPOs that may be issued in Michigan. A domestic PPO is used to restrain the actions of a respondent, or the person against who the PPO is issued, if the parties are either married, live together or have lived together, have a child together, or have or have had a dating relationship. Domestic PPOs can’t be used to restrain a minor.

Non-domestic PPOs can be issued to restrain a person over 18 to whom someone doesn’t have a domestic relationship. There are also nondomestic sexual-assault PPOs, which are used to restrain a person over 18 from sexually assaulting or threatening sexual assault.

Specifically, a domestic PPO can restrain the respondent, or the person against whom the PPO is issued, from entering a person’s premises; assaulting, attacking, beating, molesting or wounding a named individual; removing a minor child from the individual having legal custody of the children; purchasing or possessing a firearm; interfering with efforts to remove children or property from premises that are owned or leased by the person to be restrained; interfering with a person’s employment or educational relationship or environment; having access to information in records concerning a minor child that will inform the restrained person of the person’s employment address; and any other specific act or conduct that imposes or interferes with personal liberty or that causes a reasonable apprehension of violence.

Further, domestic PPOs may be issued “ex parte,” or issued and made effective without immediate notice to the individual being restrained. Such orders may be issued if “it clearly appears from specific facts” shown by a

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complaint, written motion, or affidavit that “immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage” will result from the delay required to give notice, or if the notice itself will likely cause an adverse action before the PPO can be issued, according to the Michigan Bench Guide on Domestic Violence.

A non-domestic stalking PPO may stop a person from following or appearing in the petitioner’s sight; appearing at a petitioner’s workplace or residence; approaching or confronting a petitioner in a public place or on private property; entering onto or remaining on a petitioner’s property; sending the petitioner mail or electronic communications; contacting the petitioner by phone; or placing an object or delivering an object to the property of the petitioner, according to the bench guide.

A non-domestic stalking PPO can be issued if a person has made two or more unwelcomed, unauthorized contacts with the person seeking the PPO. Overall, Gorcyca and others spoken with said there didn’t appear to be any major revisions or changes to the state’s PPO law, which was last updated in 1994 to allow for the issuance of ex parte orders. nd, while the state’s PPO law can restrict the rights of a person without being convicted or accused of a crime, Michigan courts have upheld the constitutionality of the law and ex parte orders. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals in a decision did advise against potential problems with the law, referring to a case in which a man was arrested at his own home. The man, who didn’t share his home with the petitioner, was arrested because the address of his ex-wife was listed at both his former address and his current address, even though she didn’t live there. Police arrested him based on the information in the state’s law enforcement information network.

“Although the personal protection order itself is not at issue in this case, we express our concern raised by the facts of this case,” the court said in People v Freeman. “This case illustrates the need to draft such orders carefully in order to avoid inconsistencies and confusion...

Surely, a defendant must question the wisdom of an order that makes it a violation of a court order to be in his own home, particularly when the complainant has a separate residence and makes a complaint to the police while at the defendant’s residence. This would appear to allow personal protection orders used as a sword, rather than a shield, contrary to the intent of the legislation that was quite properly designed and intended to protect spouses and others form predators.

“When personal protection orders are allowed to be misused because of careless wording or otherwise, then the law is correspondingly undermined because it loses the respect of the citizens that is important to the effective operation of our justice system.”

Lauren Howard, Chief of Adoptions and Juvenile Support Services at the Oakland County

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ince our conversion to Sotheby’s 8 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.

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Market Share | By Dollars SKBK MarKetS More Homes Over $1.5 Million 25.75%

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Circuit Court, oversees the PPO program at the court. Howard said the court operates a PPO office to assist in the process, as required by state statute.

“It’s set up so people can do their own pleadings, with the assistance of staff,” Howard said. “The only thing they have to pay for is the service (notice) on the respondent.” oward said some people seeking PPOs don’t always understand when they are appropriate. For instance, PPOs aren’t usually the proper remedy for neighbor disputes.

“That’s a big misconception,” Howard said.

“We never tell people they can’t file. If they choose to fill out the paperwork, we don’t say ‘you can’t do it, you can’t file, or that’s impossible.’ We don’t decide things for the judges.”

Howard said they recommend all supporting evidence is printed, as electronic devices, such as phones or computers, can’t be brought into the court house, along with any police reports or other evidence that supports their claims. Once paperwork is filled out, the person filing the PPO must take the petition to the judge’s chambers, where a decision is made. For ex parte PPOs, the entire process can take three to four hours, Howard said.

“It takes a little time,” she said. “It’s a lawsuit they are filing. Some people are more organized than other. They have forms they have to complete, and they have to write things out so the judge can understand them. They really need to be here because the court can do a better job of assessing things. You can hire counsel, but that would cost money. People should plan on being here a few hours.”

Richelle Duane staffs the PPO Advocacy Office at the Oakland County Circuit Court for HAVEN. The program is run independently from the circuit court’s office, and deals specifically with domestic violence situations. She said HAVEN helps with the entire process, from getting the initial order to filing motions regarding modifications of the PPO. “The process is different from county to county, but several petitioners have said they feel the process is rather burdensome and overwhelming,” Duane said. “We usually advise people the process will take about three hours. It is lengthy with several steps involved, including coming to the court house and putting a lot of personal information down for the public record.

“That can be very difficult when going through an emotional crisis, and when safety is involved.

The benefit in Oakland County, that I see is, there is a chance to finish the whole process and walk out with a PPO the same day.”

Duane said new federal mandates now require that information about PPOs that have been issued cannot be accessed online.

As far as the effectiveness of a PPO in protecting a person, Duane said it depends on each individual respondent.

“The effectiveness of the PPO depends on the respondent, and what their perception of it is,” she said. “It’s an effective deterrent if the respondent has respect for the court’s authority

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and a fear of getting in trouble with the court. It will be an effective deterrent for those individuals.

But, if they don’t believe or don’t care, it’s not going to deter them.

“Something I discuss with any petitioner coming in is that it will help or make it worse, especially in domestic violence situations, it can escalate the conflict, and if they aren’t going to respect it, it could make it worse. But it gives another option on how to address the issues or behaviors that are going on. A lot of that may be things that the person or police can’t do something about right away, like excessive phone calls. It won’t stop a person, but it gives the court and police the means of addressing the behavior because they can enforce the PPO.” Because the issuance of a personal protection order isn’t considered a conviction of a specific crime, but rather an order issued by the court to force specific actions, a violation of a PPO is considered contempt of court, and is punishable by up to 93 days in jail. However, continued violations may escalate to “aggravated” stalking charges, which is a felony punishable by up to five years.

“Oakland County has a good process in place,” said Bloomfield Hills Police Chief David Hendrickson. “From my perspective, we haven’t had to deal with it too much, unless someone has one issued against them and we run their name.

The only problem we have had is when serving them. There are times when people have had a PPO issued against them, and that person doesn’t know about it. At that point, we advise them, and we write a report and send it to the state of Michigan with notice that we have served them, and that’s updated in the law enforcement network.

“I think they are an effective tool for people that are in fear of others, for whatever that may be.” loomfield Hills attorney David Sucher said he has dealt with PPOs in his practice, and has seen instances where they have been helpful, and others where they have been problematic.

“There is so much discretion when issuing them from one judge to the next, there is nothing consistent about them,” he said. “I have seen judges issue PPOs where I think they aren’t warranted, and others where I think they should be issued and they aren’t.”

Sucher noted a client who was going through a divorce came home one day and found her entire house stripped of its belongings by her then husband, except for a basement bedroom that was being leased by a nephew. The husband had apparently locked the dog in the bedroom, and the wife broke the door to let the dog out.

However, the nephew requested a PPO against the woman and it was issued by the judge.

“I went to court on that because I thought it was an error and we had a hearing,” he said. “To me, that is the kind of abuse (of PPOs) in years past.”

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Sucher said a PPO is appropriate if there is a history of verbal or physical abuse, stalking or other domestic violence situations. Still, he said problems can arise when a PPO is issued and there isn’t a custody arrangement in place, or if a person tries to have a PPO issued as a way of forcing another person to vacate a residence.

“When someone is taken out of their home, and kids are involved, that can create an issue,” he said.

Matrimonial lawyer Sue Ann Canvasser said while there is a potential for some people to abuse the PPO process, she doesn’t see any weaknesses in the law.

“In the context of divorce, there has to be a significant reason to order one,” she said. “If you get a PPO entered, you can get a person out of a house. I would like to think the court scrutinizes those petitions well. But there have been times that those court orders create havoc in two ways.

One, by locking someone out. Two, to denying access to children if there is no custody or court order in place.”

Canvasser said there usually isn’t a reason to have a custody order in place when two parents are living together in the same house, but beginning divorce proceedings. However, if a PPO restricts one of the parents from entering the home, then that takes them out of the house and away from the children.

Gorcyca said while the potential for abuse exists, the court is careful to take child custody into account when issuing PPOs. “If the petitioner is doing it to get an upper hand in a divorce case or during eviction by PPO, there have been instances like that in the thousands of PPOs we look at, but we look to make sure it’s not happening. We see all kinds of cases. Just when you think we haven’t seen it, we see it,” Gorcyca said.

Gorcyca recalled a case she was working on as an assistant prosecutor in which a contempt of court hearing was being held against a man who was accused of violating a PPO. In the middle of the hearing, the man claimed that the woman drove him to the courthouse that day, and she admitted to doing it, thus violating the PPO herself.

“It’s the court’s PPO, and she could have been held in contempt of court, also,” Gorcyca said.

“There was no violation, but both were borderline in contempt.”

Gorcyca said because it’s the court’s PPO, and not necessarily the petitioner’s PPO against another person, the court must be careful to consider all aspects in a case when issuing or modifying a PPO. “Today, I had a petitioner file a motion to modify because she wanted the kids to have contact with the father,” Gorcyca said. “I reread the allegations, and he had been beating her in front of her children, badly at times, and he was up for a felony. I said it wasn’t right – and he didn’t even appear at the hearing – so obviously, that wasn’t appropriate.”

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MUNICIPAL Roasting Plant shop opening downtown

By Lisa Brody

Roasting Plant, a unique coffee shop in downtown Detroit which uses the Javabot proprietary system of custom-designed pneumatic tubes to produce a fresh and custom cup of coffee, will be coming to the former Biggby Coffee location in downtown Birmingham, according to owner Elizabeth Rose.

Biggby Coffee closed June 15, after owner Rose Glendinning chose not to renew the lease. She had coowned the location with her brother Joe, who relocated to Australia.

The closure provided an opportunity for Elizabeth Rose, she said, “because a lot of our downtown customers are from the northwest suburbs, and a lot of them were encouraging us to come to the northwest suburbs.”

Roasting Plant, which has locations in New York City, is located in the First National Building at 660 Woodward Avenue. The Detroit location opened in January 2013.

Rose, a Bloomfield Hills native and Cranbrook graduate who relocated to California for several years and once again lives in Bloomfield Hills, serves on the board of directors of Roasting Plant. “The goal is to open more branches here,” she said. “Our theory was right by starting in downtown Detroit and branching out from there.”

Rose said the downtown Birmingham location, at 112 S. Old Woodward, should open mid-winter, after it is redesigned to accommodate the Javabot system. The Javabot system first holds “green” beans in a series of clear storage columns that are then swooshed to the roaster.

Once roasted, the beans are blown back into columns where they rest for no more than 48 hours, “allowing their flavors to mature without decaying,” said the Roasting Plant website. “It brews into a rich cup of coffee.”

Coffee is measure to order one cup at a time in custom-designed Swiss brewers. Patrons can choose from one of 11 varietals.

Pam Voss-Page, daughter of building owner Bob Gwynn, former owner of Gwynn’s Men’s Store, said the location has been a coffee shop for the last 23 years. “First it was a Coffee Exchange, then a Caribou Coffee, a Biggby Coffee, and now Roasting Plant,” Voss-Page said. downtownpublications.com

Alex and Ani coming to Birmingham

By Lisa Brody

lex and Ani, a youthful and cheerful handcrafted line of jewelry which uses sustainable materials, is coming to Birmingham this fall in the former Pink Pump location at 150 W. Maple Road.

The line of lifestyle jewelry was launched in 2004 by designer Carolyn Rafaelian, who comes from a family of jewelers. Rafaelian’s father was a jewelry manufacturer in Rhode Island, once the jewelry capital of the world. Rafaelian said she knew she was meant to continue her family’s tradition, apprenticing herself to her father at a young age. She brought the Alex and Ani production back to Rhode Island, after it had been outsourced overseas.

Alex and Ani, named for her first two daughters, was launched “with the desire to spread positive energy across the globe,” she said. Her values and charitable focus is expressed through eco-friendly and made-inAmerica products that feature powerfully-symbolic, signature expandable wire bangles with charms that connect the wearer to different meaningful categories. Up to date and trend-oriented, each charm has three words connected to it, making them personal to each wearer’s life.

“Alex and Ani believes in the power of positive energy, a core company principle. We have made it our mission to share the benefits of positive energy through the unique beauty and symbolism of our products,” the company website states.

Alex and Ani chose Birmingham because “our stores are purposefully located on main streets to encourage growth in local economies,” the website states. Further, it fits the company mission statement, which says, “Our items are designed for longevity, as artisan pieces that can be passed from one generation to the next.”

The jewelry, many made with recycled materials, is affordable, with prices running from $21 up. There are adjustable bangle wire bracelets, rings and earrings.

While some national and local retailers carry individual Alex and Ani items, the Birmingham store will carry the entire line, which includes some men’s and home items as well. The store will open sometime this fall.

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Chemical treatment okayed for Quarton With a vote of 5-2, the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, August 11, approved a resolution to use an aquatic herbicide to treat the proliferation of lily pads on Quarton Lake, as long as the treatments do not exceed $15,000.

Birmingham Public Services Director Lauren Wood told commissioners that this item returned from last year, when the consensus, after a great deal of public outcry about the use of chemicals in the lake, was to perform mechanical harvesting of the lily pads.

“We did mechanical harvesting in September. We wanted to wait to see what happened (with the lily pads) this year,” Wood said.

In the last three years, the growth of lily pads in the lake has gone from a few pretty flowering plants to a nuisance vegetation that has been threatening to overtake the waterway.

“We’re already dredging the lake

as part of a five-year plan. We’re doing it again in August. The best course of action that I’m finding is a best practices chemical treatment,” Wood said recently.

Other treatment methods the city has used in the past have included dredging various portions of the lake as well as mechanical harvesting.

However, the city asserted, in order to be most effective and truly reduce and hopefully eliminate all of the floating leaf vegetation, which is how they are referring to the lily pad infestation, additional treatment methods are necessary. In order to use state-approved chemicals, the city will be required to get a MDEQ permit. The deadline for the MDEQ permit is Friday, August 15.

“We have to submit to the MDEQ by this Friday to receive a permit,” Wood said. The permit would be for a series of up to three MDEQ-approved aquatic herbicide treatments. The first would be applied in late August or September, followed up by another treatment in May or June of next year. If needed, there would be a third treatment later next summer.

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Walter Alix of engineering firm Hubbell Roth & Clark responded to commissioner Tom McDaniel’s question about the possibility of harvesting the decayed lily pads.

“It’s no different than any other natural material of biomass that settles,” Alix said. “It’s no different from leaves falling to the bottom of the lake. There’s a need to wait until the chemicals settle into the roots.

We’re hoping to get rid of this biomass now, and postponing all of the dredging until later.”

Alix said the use of this type of aquatic herbicide was common, and was similar to what is used in other Oakland County lakes, such as Cass Lake and Sylvan Lake. He said the herbicide is safe for fish, reptiles and turtles in the lake “as applied by law.”

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked about the residents who were very concerned about the chemicals last year, and asked Wood if she had gotten in touch with them this year.

Wood responded that she had met with the neighboring neighborhood association, had put an article in its newsletter, and “the tone and tenor has changed. They feel as long as there is not collateral damage, they’re comfortable with it.”

Commissioner Stuart Sherman asked Wood, “I thought we were going to use mechanical harvesting for a few years, and we were told we wouldn’t see results after the first year, and we would see grow back.

Now we’re going right to chemicals?”

Wood said she wasn’t sure. “That could have been a combination of uses, like in Bloomfield Township,” she responded. Last year, she said, “that was cutting off without the roots. This is also more economical.”

“I thought we were cutting out the roots,” Sherman said.

“The consultant said we couldn’t get all the roots, but to do the quantity we have, which is even more than last year, we need to use chemicals,” Wood said.

“I’m not comfortable with this,” Hoff said. “There are other opinions on this. I would feel more comfortable approving $400 to submit the permit to MDEQ, and they’re going to tell us what we should be using, and they’ll tell us what quotes we should be getting.”

However, commissioners approved the resolution to proceed with the aquatic herbicide treatments, voting 5-2, with Hoff and Sherman opposing.

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MUNICIPAL Waste hauler ballot language modified

By Lisa Brody

Due to a recent opinion by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette ruling that communities cannot ask citizens to vote on advisory ballots, the Bloomfield Hills City Commission unanimously approved slightly revised ballot language for single municipal waste hauling services for the November 2014 ballot.

Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens said they changed the first word of the ballot language from “should” to “shall” to remain on the November 4 ballot, per Bloomfield Hills attorney Bill Hampton’s recommendation. “We made it from an advisory role (from the commission) to a binding role,” Cravens said.

Voters in the city of Bloomfield Hills will consider a proposal on the general election ballot in November to allow the city commission to enter into a contract with a single waste hauler for garbage and recycling collection for all residents.

The issue has long been a contentious one in Bloomfield Hills, with many residents preferring to choose their own waste hauler.

Currently, every resident independently hires their own waste hauler for garbage and recycling collection, with some homeowners providing keys and/or security access to their homes to their garbage collectors.

However, the wear-and-tear on the city’s roads, caused by different companies’ garbage and recycling trucks visiting individual homes on different days of the week is part of the reason there will be a vote on the

November ballot, Cravens said. Some city streets may have garbage trucks on them every single day of the week, he noted.

Safety is also an issue, Cravens pointed out. “We’ve had problems in the past, some actual near misses, between garbage trucks and school busses,” he said.

For the city commission to adopt an ordinance for competitive bidding with a single waste hauler to provide garbage and recycling services for the entire city, voters in the city must approve a ballot proposal.

In a subsequent issue, commissioners determined that an RFP – request for proposal – from a competitive garbage hauler, should not be submitted prior to the November vote. “Commissioners don’t want voters to think it’s a done deal before the vote,”Cravens said.

“We’ve been talking about this issue for seven or eight years. We can certainly wait another three months.”

He said he had thought it would provide an “apples to apples comparison for our residents, so they could see what the costs of a city waste hauler would be compared to what they personally are paying for.

Instead, I will lay out the general details of an RFP in an upcoming newsletter: these are the services that a successful waste hauler program would do. For example, a new waste hauler will do these and more because we’ll require a clear program of 2014 recycling, rather than the 1995 recycling offered now, as well as yard waste pick up. What does yours currently do? They can compare. I think a first-class city like Bloomfield Hills deserves first-class service, like Birmingham and Bloomfield Township.”

Birmingham, manager agree to contract fter coming to terms in a closed executive session during the previous city commission meeting, Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved an agreement for employment for city manager Joe Valentine at the city commission meeting on Monday, July 28, Valentine has been with the city of Birmingham for 17 and one-half years, since January 1997, when he began his career as a management intern. He replaces former city manager Bob Bruner, who left in February after he and the city could not come to terms on a new contract. Valentine, who had been assistant city manager, stepped in as interim city manager, and as of July 1, 2014, has been city manager, after the city commission approved the appointment.

The employment contract between Birmingham and Valentine commenced July 1 and will go until terminated by either side, paying Valentine $120,000 a

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The revised ballot proposal now reads: “Shall the city commission of the city of Bloomfield Hills adopt an ordinance whereby the city, after competitive bidding, would enter into a contract with a single waste hauler for exclusive garbage and recycling collection for all city residents, with the city residents paying the garbage and recycling collection bills directly to the single waste hauler?”

Bistro license transfer completed

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham City Commissioners completed the transfer of ownership at Birmingham bistro Bella Piatti from Robert VanHellemont to current owner Antonino Cutraro at the city commission meeting on Monday, July 28, despite some commissioners raising the concern that the original intent of bistros was to not have any transfers of ownership.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Clemence addressed the commission, noting that it was VanHellemont’s intention to sell his interest in the restaurant to Cutraro, who has been running the restaurant since February 2013, after the previous owners, Mindy Lopus and VanHellemont, divorced, and VanHellemont received the bistro as part of the divorce settlement.

In 2013, Clemence said that the commission approved a sale of 50 percent of the interest in the restaurant from VanHellemont to Cutraro, “and you said that Mr. Cutraro could come back after one year and request the remainder of the ownership.”

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked “What does the bistro

ordinance say about transfers of ownership?”

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker responded, “There isn’t anything in the ordinance about transfers of ownership. They cannot be transferred by location.”

“Originally these bistros were going to be different than our Class C (liquor) licenses, which were hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they weren’t supposed to be transferred, just let to be died out when owners tired of them, or whatever. So where are we going with these?” asked commissioner Stuart Sherman.

“I think this is a policy issue. Your question goes to cost. We don’t want to shut out people,” said mayor Scott Moore. “We need to have a conversation about that, but not tonight.”

“My understanding was that you couldn’t transfer ownership. I thought that was the intent (of the bistro ordinance),” said Hoff.

“We did have that conversation. It was the intent, but it’s not in the ordinance,” said commissioner Gordon Rinschler. “I was one of those that believed they were selfextinguishing. This one has changed hands four times already.”

“I’m going to support this, but I don’t want to set a precedence and I want to come back to these,” Sherman said.

“This is the third bistro that has had a transfer (referring to Bella Piatti, Tallulah’s Wine Bar & Bistro, and Bistro Joe’s), so we’re building up quite a precedence,” responded commissioner Tom McDaniel.

The commissioners then unanimously approved the bistro license transfer.

year, with raises to occur July 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016 of no less than two percent. The city must provide 30 days to Valentine if they choose to terminate him; he must provide the city with 90 days notice if he decides to leave his post.

According to his contract, Valentine will receive health, life and disability insurance paid for by Birmingham for himself and his family. Birmingham will provide a five percent annual contribution into a defined compensation plan, which will be paid out upon either retirement or termination. Retirement benefits will continue to be provided under the city’s retirement plan. Since Valentine is a fully vested employee, he is eligible to receive the retiree health benefits that were in effect when he was hired.

“It’s a good motion for Joe, it’s a good motion for the city,” said commissioner Gordon Rinschler in approving Valentine’s contract. “It was done very amicably and very quickly.”

Mayor Scott Moore concurred. “It’s a great foundation for the future. It gives a lot of security for his future,” he said.

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Ballot language approved for library

Barbara’s Paper Bag set to move

By Lisa Brody

By Lisa Brody

Ballot language for a November 4 general election millage increase proposal for the Bloomfield Township Public Library was unanimously approved by township trustees on Monday, August 11.

Prior to library director Carol Mueller presenting the need for the library’s millage increase, Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie stated, “It should be noted that our position is to approve the ballot language. Everything else is dictated by the library commission.”

Mueller began by noting that this year the library is celebrating 50 years of serving the Bloomfield Township community. “We started out with 14,000 books. Today, we have a collection of over 300,000 items, not only books,” she said.

In 2013-2014, 318,547 people visited the library, and 850,044 items were borrowed. She said each day, about 1,000 people visit the library, and 72 percent of township residents have library cards.

The library receives 93 percent of its revenue from property taxes, which declined 23 percent between 2008 and 2013, or $1.3 million. “We have drawn down on our rainy day funds for maintenance projects. We have tightened our belts, closing days, having furlough days,” Mueller said. “This year, we have been closed 10 summer Sundays. We have cut five staff positions, and other staff hours have been cut, and staff benefits have been decreased or eliminated. We’ve cut a lot of programming, and we’ve reached a critical point in our history.

Our phone and computer system are at the end of their life spans. We need a new roof over many areas.”

She said the most urgent current need is resolving a flooding problem in the lower level which impacts meeting rooms and some collection storage. “It’s very disruptive to library services when we have flooding,” she noted.

Without additional funding, Mueller said, they will have to continue to have reduced hours and be closed on Sundays during the summer, as well as to keep a computer lab built during the last renovation closed. “We’ve not been able to offer classes for computer skills,” she said.

In 2012, voters approved 1.7874

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arbara’s Paper Bag, a stationary, invitation and accessory shop that has been located at 147 Pierce Street in downtown Birmingham for 29 years, announced they will be moving September 1 next door to Blossom’s, 33866 Woodward at Adams.

“Two great, established Birmingham businesses are becoming neighbors!” Sue Sivak, owner of Barbara’s Paper Bag, wrote in an email to her longstanding customers. “We are packing our bags and moving a half-mile south to the Blossoms building – at the corner of Adams and Woodward – adjacent to their new flower store. What a great match!”

Sivak wrote that customers will continue to find the same merchandise that they have come to expect, such as personalized stationary and invitations, and well as new products. Sivak told her customers that in addition, “the best part is there is free parking.”

Barbara’s Paper Bag carries specialty lines of custom invitations and stationary, including Crane, Arzberger, William Arthur and Vera Wang. Unlike many other retailers, they have chosen not to do business online, preferring the one-on-one nature of custom work.

“After 29 years, I’ve developed a very loyal following,” Sivak said.

She said the two businesses would be separate, with Barbara’s Paper Bag taking over the former retail space Blossoms had. “Blossoms is just going to be a fresh flower store, and I’m taking over their retail gift area. It’s very nice. I’m thrilled.”

Blossoms and Party Blossoms were founded in 1977 by Norm Silk and Dale Morgan, providing flowers for parties and weddings.

According to their website, Party Blossoms was created “to provide simple elegant, affordable event flowers for the next generation.

Blossoms and Party Blossoms provide beautiful flowers and décor for weddings, social parties and corporate events.”

mills, but that amount has been rolled back to 1.459 mills due to the Headlee amendment. The library is requesting an increase of .5410 mills for a period of ten years, 2014 to 2023, inclusive, as a new millage, of which .3284 mills would restore the rollback of the previously approved millage. If approved, the new library millage is expected to generate $1.756 million in its first year of collection.

Mueller said that in addition to restoring all previous funding cuts, the new millage would provide for technology upgrades and roof repairs.

Bloomfield Township attorney William Hampton told Mueller and the board, “I reviewed the (ballot) language, and it did not meet several aspects of the statute, so I rewrote it to make it clear. I just felt two changes needed to be made; one, that it was a restoration of a millage that had been decreased by Headlee; and two, to clarify the amount the voters would pay. I did not change any intent.”

He recommended trustees approve the ballot language, which they unanimously did, with trustee Dave Buckley not in attendance.

Woodward transit plans continue Representatives from Woodward Avenue Rapid Transit Alternatives, which is preparing plans for rapid bus transit for 27 miles on Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac, presented an update on their status to the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, August 11.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is conducting the Woodward Avenue Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis (AA) project. The alternatives analysis is reviewing rapid transit options for a 27-mile corridor along Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to downtown Pontiac. The study area includes the cities of Detroit, Highland Park, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills and Pontiac.

They explained that they have examined what kinds of higher level transit Woodward will support, looked at different transportation options, as well as examined station locations and cross walk areas, and are giving

DOWNTOWN

preferences to locations that local communities prefer.

Representatives said the criteria they used included ridership, costs, social equity and the ability of riders to connect with other modes of transportation.

“We’re trying to build the system.

The serpent has to be fed if we’re going to build ridership,” said Carmine Palombo, executive director of SEMCOG. He further explained that bus rapid transit, or BRT, has a lot of components of light rail, meaning it looks futuristic, fare is collected off board, and boarding is level. “There are no problems with lifts. The platforms are built at the same level as the bus. There are no steps, so it’s fast and efficient service, as well as it’s all ADA-compliant,” Palombo said. “We’re trying to provide service to everyone.”

Twenty-six stations will be located approximately every mile or so, to allow for continuous service. Station designs are important, he said, with some being simple and others, elaborate, depending upon the local economic development.

“It’s the beginning of building a system so it’s not done in isolation.

It’s building a region. We honed in on locally preferred alternatives to hone in the costs and benefits to the communities,” Palombo said.

The decisions being worked on now are determining whether BRT should run in the street, or in a dedicated lane, and the importance of maintaining the Michigan left turn.

“We want dedicated lanes on Woodward,” Palombo said. “That way, it would be as fast as a car, or faster, on Woodward. We can set up intersections so the light for BRTs are green to make it faster than for cars.”

The preferred option north of Six Mile Road would be to have a dedicated center edge lane along the center medians; south of Six Mile, the BRT would run in the center of the road until it gets to the train station in the New Center area, and then run down Cass Avenue through Wayne State University to downtown.

A remaining issue in its preliminary stage is working out how to maintain the Michigan left turn with the dedicated center lane BRT. Once all of the remaining details are worked out, Woodward Avenue Alternatives Analysis will return to update the city commission.

SEMCOG will ask for 50 to 60 percent of the funding from the federal government. The remaining funding will be requested from a four-county millage.

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BIRMINGHAM | $650,000 Fresh, unique and compelling describes this lovely modern style ranch home in Birmingham.

Presented by: Mary Frances McCaleb T: 248-760-4807 | mmccaleb@cbwm.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP | $599,900 Stunning transitional colonial, perched on an elevated setting, updated to perfection.

Presented by: Rebecca Meisner T: 248-408-2212 | rmeisner@cbwm.com

BIRMINGHAM | $525,000 Elegantly appointed Birmingham Classic.

Recently renovated kitchen. Walk to town.

Presented by: Barbara Spencer T: 248-703-1773 | bspencer@cbwm.com

BINGHAM FARMS | $479,900 Extraordinary private 1.26 acre setting among the trees for this custom-built home. Great curb appeal.

Presented by: Robert Dundon T: 248-224-6236 | rdundon@cbwm.com

Celebrating Home 248-644-6300 | cbwm.com

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel: Locally Owned and Operated Since 1950.

WEIR MANUEL

BIRMINGHAM | $314,900 Absolutely gorgeous home in walking distance to Downtown Birmingham! Completely updated.

Presented by: James Torre T: 248-996-0664 | jtorre@cbwm.com

BIRMINGHAM | $795,000 Walk to downtown Birmingham from this fabulous newer construction. Looks like a model home. It is one of many high-end homes on the block and on the street. Quality throughout: two fireplaces; extra wide crown moldings; granite; stainless steel appliances; beautiful hardwood floors.

Presented by: Didi Etue | T: 248-505-5754 | detue@cbwm.com

BEVERLY HILLS | $459,000 Privacy abounds in this custom built walkout ranch. Lush foliage at every window.

Presented by: Erin O’Neill T: 248-613-2129 | eoneill@cbwm.com

BEVERLY HILLS | $283,000 So much great living space all on one level perfectly laid out. Quiet dead end location.

Presented by: Jennifer Zardus T: 248-752-8411 | jzardus@cbwm.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP | $349,900 Beautiful! 4 beds, 3 full baths, 2 fireplaces, walkout mid-century ranch on incredible lot.

Presented by: Lou Colombo T: 248-417-0867 | lcolombo@cbwm.com

TROY | $399,900 Historic home combines all the charm of a 1901 farmhouse on a picturesque half-acre lot.

Presented by: Nico Krohn T: 248-795-3195 | nkrohn@cbwm.com

Celebrating Home 248-644-6300 | cbwm.com

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel: Locally Owned and Operated Since 1950.

WEIR MANUEL

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP | $1,195,000 Custom built with striking curb appeal by present owner. Delight in this classically designed French Country rubble stone home offering the pairing of elegant living and lasting value. Fine architectural details and great floor plan perfect for entertaining and family living. Quality features include cedar shake roof, elevated and vaulted ceilings, hardwood, solid 8 ft. doors, moldings, custom built-ins, Cat 5 wiring, 4 fireplaces & more.

Presented by: Rosalee Hill | T: 248-408-1552 | rhill@cbwm.com

LAKE ANGELUS | $1,100,000 Spectacular views from every room, prime Lake Angelus site. Vaulted ceilings, three fireplaces, hardwood floors, abundant deck and patio spaces, screened in porch. Ceiling fans and recessed lighting in all primary rooms. New roof 2012, water heaters 2011, new water softener 2012. Two laundry rooms. 14 X 12 exercise/playroom is possible fourth bedroom.

Presented by: Teri Sprio | T: 248-760-8765 | tspiro@cbwm.com

Celebrating Home 248-644-6300 | cbwm.com

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel: Locally Owned and Operated Since 1950.

WEIR MANUEL

BLOOMFIELD TONWHIP | $895,000 Welcome to Heron Woods, a beautiful gated community. Spectacular home nestled perfectly within a scenic & densely landscaped 3/4 acre lot.

Presented by: William Brundage T: 248-980-2455 | wbrundage@cbwm.com

BIRMINGHAM | $795,000 Custom built, completed, new construction. Custom Lafata kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter-tops and hardwood floors.

Presented by: Mark Marangon T: 248-408-5100 | mmarangon@cbwm.com

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP | $839,000 Fantastic 1/2 acre site on quiet part of lake, 230’ frontage! Completely renovated in 2008.

Presented by: Teri Spiro T: 248-760-8765 | tspiro@cbwm.com

BIRMINGHAM | $427,500 Superb location! Enjoy downtown Birmingham living in this 1940’s Tudor. Extra deep lot.

Presented by: Robert Dundon T: 248-224-6236 | rdundon@cbwm.com

BEVERLY HILLS | $425,000 Picturesque and idyllic country living. This 1950’s sprawling ranch sits on a gorgeous 1.11 acre lot.

Presented by: Kim Elliott T: 586-246-5007 | kelliott@cbwm.com

ROYAL OAK | $444,000 Gorgeous Craftsman style home with finished basement, blocks from downtown Royal Oak! Presented by: John Farhat T: 248-797-3257 | jfarhat@cbwm.com

TROY | $299,000 Lovely brick ranch with pond views. Updates include new roof, furnace, & kitchen.

Presented by: Raimonda Abdal T: 248-763-1631 | rabdal@cbwm.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP | $290,000 Well situated in sub - private treed setting in neighborhood of more expensive homes.

Presented by: Helen Butler T: 248-568-2331 | hbutler@cbwm.com

Celebrating Home 248-644-6300 | cbwm.com

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel: Locally Owned and Operated Since 1950.

WEIR MANUEL

FACES

Matt Pesta e was only nine-years-old when he first found his swing; last month, Matt Pesta competed against the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Championship Tournament. “(Qualifying) was the best feeling I could describe. I felt complete euphoria and joy,” he said. “It’s considered the holy grail of golf. I got a flood of support from friends and family.”

The Lincoln Hills golf course professional grew up in Commerce Township and got his first hole-in-one while on Walled Lake Central High School’s varsity golf team. “I think someone on the radio the next day gave me a shout out and they mentioned it at school the next day. It was great.”

The young talent set his sights on golfing professionally.

“Once I started playing golf, I knew I wanted to be a pro.”

After high school, Pesta attended Ferris State University to study professional golf management. “They train you to become a golf pro,” he said. “It’s the quickest way to become a PGA member.”

Pesta joined Lincoln Hills Golf Course in Birmingham in 2014, where he teaches adults as well as children in their junior program.

“You could call it a dream job,” he said. “I like the atmosphere. When I got back to work (my coworkers) said they were following me online and on television.”

Among his many supporters, Pesta credits PGA master professional Bob Ackerman, owner of Bob Ackerman Golf Academy in Commerce Township, with much of his success.

“He’s given me a place to play and to teach and he’s never asked for anything of me,” he said. “He’s played hundreds of rounds of golf with me. Without him, there’s no way I’d be where I am today.”

The PGA Championship Tournament took place in Louisville, Kentucky in August. It was just one of hundreds Pesta has competed in, but by far was the most important.

“It was awesome,” he said. “Everything down there was first class. You get treated amazingly as a player and playing in front of the crowds is really exciting. I did not play as well as I had hoped. I want to get back there now and play up to my ability.”

Dressed head-to-toe by sponsors Titleist and Foot Joy, he played alongside living legends he has admired all his life.

On the sidelines, Pesta’s parents and longtime girlfriend, Chelsea Rodgers, cheered him on. “(Rodgers) is very supportive of my career,” he said. “In the last two years I’ve needed more support than ever. It’s wonderful to have a partner who has my interest at heart.”

Qualifying for the PGA Championship Tournament fulfilled one of Pesta’s goals, but playing professionally is his highest career objective.

“My ultimate goal is to play my way into an exempt status on the PGA Tour,” he said. “After years of working in the customer service end of the golf business, I feel like I’m through the looking glass. I’m able to play golf at its highest level, and it’s a dream come true.”

H

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

BUYING OR SELLING? Let me help connect the perfect buyer for your home. I can help you stage, and market your property to get you top dollar.

Call me to get the best possible outcome for your home.

Sandra Treboldi 248-672-9669 streboldi@skbk.com sandrasproperties.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

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THE BIRMINGHAM RAIL DISTRICT • FREE & EASY PARKING

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FACES

David Palmer and Catherine Serrano heir initial adventure in the Dominican Republic began with study abroad programs, and led to their life’s calling. For David Palmer of Bloomfield Village, it was as a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder; for girlfriend Catherine Serrano, it was when she was a junior at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Palmer admits he headed to the “DR” because “they accepted my Spanish grades. But while I was there, I saw a lot of street kids.” After college, he was motivated to study poverty, living in Ecuadorian and Brazilian villages, building museums and helping in the communities “to bring in some money and help them with tourism.”

In January 2010, although he had been accepted to law school in Washington D.C., he headed back to the Dominican Republic with the goal of researching how to start a foundation to aid street children. There he met Serrano, whose school had a computer lab with free Internet. He’d pretend to be a student to use the computers, and they became friends, then began dating, sharing the same passion for other cultures and the poor.

“I was there to learn about poverty, and to research what different foundations do for street kids, and what kind of money, land and the logistics that are needed to start a foundation for street kids,” Palmer said on a fundraising trip back to the States in July.

After Serrano graduated, she returned to join Palmer, who had received donations from friends in the United States to begin the non-profit Joan Rose Foundation, named for his grandmother, who died in 2004, “because I

T

loved her very much. She was philanthropic, nice to everyone, and incredibly kind,” Palmer recalled. Fundraising continues.

Together, Palmer and Serrano started a development center, which initially ran daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, providing local children with three plates of food a day, as well as classes in math and reading literacy. They also offer basic health care to the children.

“We have some American doctors who I e-mail and they provide me with answers,” Serrano said. “There are no prescriptions down there, so we just buy medicines. We have covered the expenses of several major surgeries at the local hospital.”

When the two began the center, they offered services for 43 children; today it’s 125. They said the vast majority are between the ages of 4 and 16, and most have at least one parent.

“Our goal is to give our children the opportunity to succeed, but they have no way to pull themselves out of poverty, so we are providing them a way.

For some, it will be as a mechanic. For others, it is to get out of the DR and get to college,” Palmer said.

In addition, they began to train the mothers in needlepoint, allowing them to have a skill, and they sell the products, which includes belts. “We have created a community. We are the primary income for 37 families,” he said.

“Kids came in starving. We began with feeding, clothing and loving them,” Serrano said. “Now we can focus on teaching them.”

Story: Lisa Brody

Photo: Joan Rose Foundation

Since 1978

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660 LAKESIDE BIRMINGHAM Home overlooking Quarton Lake. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths - all updated. Finished basement with large rec room. 2 car rear entry garage. $1,199,900

137 DOURDAN BLOOMFIELD HILLS Home to be built. An exclusive development of million dollar plus homes. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 1st floor master, 3 car garage. $1,199,000

648 DEWEY BIRMINGHAM 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths. Walk to town location on a rare 223 foot deep lot. Renovated kitchen and family room addition. $1,099,000 - Sale, $5,250 - Lease

1558 WEBSTER BIRMINGHAM To be built by HM Homes, 2 car attached garage. Great space and quality amenties. $799,900

602 RIVERSIDE BIRMINGHAM Fabulous lot backing to woods. Private community in heart of Birmingham. Design your dream home.

Lot Price. $699,900

6921 OAKHURST RIDGE CLARKSTON 2014 built stunning colonial. 4 bedroom with 3.2 baths.

3 car side entrance garage.Walk-out basement. $599,900 - Sale, $3,200 - Lease

CHRIS PERO Associate Broker

248.797.0784 CELL cgpero@yahoo.com

275 S OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM

Over $100 Million Closed Since 2011

174 HILLBORO DRIVE BLOOMFIELD HILLS Expanded Westchester ranch in 2005 with a great open floor plan. 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths. First floor laundry. 2 car attached garage. Birmingham Schools. $499,900

220 RAVINE BIRMINGHAM In “Little San Fransisco” district. 3 bedroom, 2 bath updated 1918 Tudor Style home. Only 2 blocks from town. $424,900

222 SAXON COURT ROCHESTER HILLS 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial in desirable Yorktown Commons. Cul de sac location. 2nd floor laundry.

Rochester schools. $304,900

1640 MARYLAND BIRMINGHAM 4 bedroom, 2 bath home on a great street. Recently remodeled kitchen with maple cabinets and granite counters. New a/c and furnace in 2013. $299,900

32900 EVERGREEN BEVERLY HILLS Located in the heart of Beverly Hills. Walk to golf, nature center and parks. Updated 3 bedroom, 3 full bath quad. $274,900

EASTBOURNE TROY Spacious quad in a great neighborhood of west Troy.

Priced to sell. Troy schools $249,900

FACES Linda Soberman rtist Linda Soberman spends part of the year in her Franklin Road studio in Bloomfield Township, and part at her southern studio in San Miguel, Mexico, where one of her latest shows, “Shame on You,” was shown at the Museo de Arte de Querentaro.

The show’s work served to illustrate the diminishment of women, whether by erasing them from our memory, or objectifying them, she said. Her work aims to have viewers consider their own contributions to the issue, through a combination of sculpture, photography, painting and printmaking. Her work invokes viewers’ emotions through Holocaust illustrations and the universal themes of loss and death in everyone’s life.

In her Empty Chair piece, Soberman invites viewers to contemplate the concept of the empty chair at the dinner table.

“Who is missing from the table? In this case, I’m talking about women, but the range is so great. It’s so broad that any person who sees the exhibit can relate to it on some level. That is kind of what I want to do with my work. It may sound trite, but I have a saying on my bulletin board: ‘I’m here to change the world.’ Not on presidential terms, but I want my work to change people. To make them think.”

Soberman also makes her students think at workshops she has hosted since 1998, and those she has taught at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, the Center for Creative Studies, as well as other national and international schools where she has served as a visiting artist.

Having grown up in Detroit, Soberman has kept art studios in the city, as well as Royal Oak and Pleasant Ridge, prior to her current locations. But it is in Mexico where she said she can get away from daily obligations and gain a sense of freedom not easily found.

“It’s not a resort, and it’s not on the water,” she said of San Miguel. “It’s in the mountains, and it’s an artists’ community. It’s a magical, wonderful city. It’s a totally different lifestyle, and is so conducive to creativity. I go there and I feel like a volcano, ready to erupt.”

With Soberman’s most recent show, “Shame On You,” she said several friends suggested her work is more subtle than its title, in which she said, ‘“you” refers to everyone.

“It becomes, ‘what do you do in this world with all of these horrific things happening?’ Do you look the other way and say it’s not happening to me, or that you need to participate on some level?”

“Initially, the work started to be about the Holocaust,” she said. “I didn’t lose any immediate family, but for some reason – maybe this has to do with how you’re raised or your sensitivity level, my grandfather died and my parents were divorced, so I did have some significant loss that effected me – the Holocaust is a universal loss. The loss of six million people isn’t something you can ignore. It became a symbol for all the loss that everyone I knew had experienced. That has become the epitome of that kind of feeling, and it’s expanded now.”

A

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

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FACES

Jolie Altman irmingham resident Jolie Altman is used to receiving strange looks from those seeing her unique collection of art and artifacts that make up her family home, but the success of her jewelry line at stores like Anthropologie and Berdorf Goodman is still a little startling to her.

“I’ve always done something; painting or creating. I started making bracelets for myself, and people started asking about them. It turned into a business, over time,” she said from her home, where she keeps her studio. “It kind of surprises me. I never really took it seriously because I love it so much. It’s a pleasure. It feels like a hobby. I love when I get new materials. I can’t wait to get home and get creative with things.”

Raised in Chicagoland, Altman is the daughter of a builder and stay-at-home mother, whom she credits with helping develop her creative expressions. When she left Chicago for the University of Michigan, it wasn’t surprising she took up architectural studies. She later changed her major to political science, and subsequently earned a master’s degree in education, teaching until her oldest son, now 21, was born. Still, she never stopped creating art and jewelry for herself.

“It’s not a narrow life. I’m very open,” she said. “I’ve always said that I may not like someone else’s passion, but it’s really important to be passionate about something.”

Her variety of influences are expressed in her vast collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and other designs displayed at her home. From contemporary to folk art creations, including wood statues, oversized lawn chairs, and an array of different paintings and constructions, Altman’s home and collection have been the focus of many magazine and newspaper articles.

“I have a lot of fun with my collection,” Altman said.

She also has fun creating new one-of-a-kind designs of jewelry. The majority of the work is in bracelet design, of which Altman incorporates materials ranging from bits of vinyl records to precious gems.

“The house has so many different textures from all over the world. It’s outside art, folk art and contemporary art,” she said, “With my bracelets, some things will strike you as appealing, and there is something that fits it all together for me, like my home. Sometimes people come in, and there are so many different (bracelet) looks, they are sometimes afraid to put it together. They start with black, but when they’re done, they have so many different colors, and you mix all the different materials, it works together.”

Altman said traveling has helped expose her to different styles and materials. The influence of world cultures is evident in many of the beads and stones she uses in her jewelry designs. Her expeditions to India and Africa are reflected in her work, which she designs and constructs herself.

“I sit down at my desk, and do whatever comes out at that time,” she said. “I can’t really duplicate any of them.”

B

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

BUSINESS MATTERS Middle Eastern eatery Restaurant owner George Zahka spent six months remodeling his latest eatery, Shawarma Kingdom, at 33757 Woodward in Birmingham.

“I did a lot of work. Everything, from A to Z,” Zahka said about the restaurant. Zahka, who has owned restaurants in Livonia, Clawson, Farmington Hills, Flat Rock and Windsor, said he has revamped everything inside the building, from the kitchen, plumbing and electrical systems to paint and the dining area, even going so far as adding a new window to open the north side of the building. The building is in the former spot of How About Lunch, and was open for a brief period last year as Pita Stop Middle Eastern Cuisine.

Zahka said remodeling took six months to complete.

Commonwealth expands Four years after opening Commonwealth, 300 Hamilton Row, in Birmingham, as a casual coffee house, business partners Hubert Yaro and James Hayosh are expanding the popular restaurant.

Manager Alison Barnes said Commonwealth will be expanding into part of the building directly east of the current location in order to add kitchen space, as well as more lounge and seating. “We are so busy now that the original concept for the cafe isn’t sustainable,” she said.

Originally focusing on coffee, with some breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, the restaurant portion of the coffee shop has built up demand from customers. “We can’t get food out fast enough,” Barnes said. Eggs that are poached, fried, and scrambled, healthy sandwiches and locally sourced items have helped expand the menu beyond that of a standard coffeehouse. Barnes said the expansion is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Art store closed Plans to construct a three-story, mixed use building with retail, office and luxury condominium space at S. Old Woodward and Daines has prompted the closing of Greens Art Supply at 400 S. Old Woodward, in Birmingham, after more than 60 years of operation. “We had an opportunity to sell the property, and the building had gotten too big and too old for our purposes, so we decided to go to the one store,” said Kim Cooke, who owns the business with her husband Kevin. “We will regroup and hopefully expand from there.” Cooke said the Greens in Rochester will continue to operate, as well as the business’s website. In downtownpublications.com

July of 2013, the Birmingham Planning Board approved a preliminary site plan for a mixed-used development at the current site of the building, which will be torn down to make way for the new building, which is expected to be about 49,000 square feet. The development is being undertaken by Jonna Companies in Bloomfield Hills.

Greens was started as a paint and wallpaper store in the 1920s before being purchased by the Cooke family in the 1950s, when it turned its focus to art supplies. Cooke said she and her husband may open another store in the Birmingham area in the future, but there are no such plans at the moment. “We would like to remain active. We may open again in this area,” she said.

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Printer changes

Chad Whistler NMLS ID 140091

American Speedy Printing, 4078 W. Maple Road, in Bloomfield Hills, has moved and re-opened as Allegra Printing, 28810 Northwestern Highway, in Southfield, as part of a merger of the businesses. American Speedy Printing, which operated at the location for more than 20 years, is part of the Allegra Network. The network supports Allegra, American Speedy Printing, Insty-Prints and Signs Now, in the United States, as well as Speedy Printing and Zippy Printing in Canada.

Troy Bergman NMLS ID 140061

THE BIRMINGHAM GROUP:

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KEEP IT LOCAL

Tutoring center opens Academic tutoring and test preparation assistance will be offered

by Huntington Learning Center, 375 Hamilton Row, in Birmingham.

The office, which is expected to open this year, will offer academic skills lessons in areas such as reading, writing, study skills math and other areas; tutoring in subjects such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, and physics; as well as help preparing for specialized tests, such as the ACT, SAT, GED and others. Huntington Learning Centers was started in 1977 by Raymond and Eileen Huntington in Oradell, New Jersey. The couple began offering franchises in 1985.

Toni Thwaites NMLS ID 291301

Downtown.

The only publication of its kind in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Quality editorial environment. Produced by local residents from offices in downtown Birmingham.

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

Ad deadline Friday, September 12.

Contact Jill Cesarz.

(O) 248.792.6464 or (C) 248.860.8414 JillCesarz@downtownpublications.com

David W. Potts J.D., PLLC* Are you married to a “couch husband”?

Wells Fargo Correction The Wells Fargo financial services office in Birmingham remains open.

Only the commercial real estate portion of the Wells Fargo business was closed from that office.

If you are and aren’t happy (and want to know what one is!), call me.

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.

DOWNTOWN

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divorce@davepottsjd.com 91

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

220: American. Lunch & Dinner, 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.

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 Eaton 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. 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.

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

248.642.4000.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.644.8800 Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

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

248.723.1700.

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

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

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

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

downtownpublications.com

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

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766.

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

Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: Deli.

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

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

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

248.642.1135.

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

DOWNTOWN

93

Tradition ...

MOVING FORWARD

3 4 9 6 5 W O O D WA R D A V E BIRMINGHAM 248 644 5222 PE ABODYSRESTAUR ANT.CO M

Present this ad for

30% off your second entrée Not valid with any other offer

THE RESERVE AT BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE TOURCLIFF ANDLEDE TASTE WELCOMES WINERY Opening Act: Lee Abraham Eastern Sales Manager Headliner: Remi Cohen Director of Viticulture and Winemaking

Thursday, April 3, 2014 | 6:30 p.m.

Chef’s Selection of Hors d’oeuvres Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2012 Breggo Riesling, Anderson Valley, 2009

September 16, 2014 | 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

When Doves Cry

A wine tasting Pheasant tour with Marita Esteva from Family Wines bun with appetizers. ramp Jackson soup / braised leg steamed / huckleberries Breggo Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley, 2012

Each tasting tour is $20 per person inclusive of tax and tip.

Express Yourself

Scallops Attendees will receive a 20% discount bonus to puree / morels / crimson lentils dine atwild Bigmushroom Rock Chophouse following the event!

Breggo Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, 2011 Reservations must be made prior to dining.

Walk on the Wild Side Voucher good for the purchase Venison of food and beverage, dine in only, must jam of blue / pancetta jam apply, / root vegetable fritter use traffic the night thecheese event. cake No other discounts non-transferrable, Cliff not Ledegood Claret, Napa 20% Valley, no cash value, towards tip2011 or 6% sales tax.

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap District, 2011

Executive Chef Matthew Fitchett, C.E.C. Strawberry Fields Pastry Chef Eric Voigt./ coulis macerated berries / sable / mousse Illy Coffee Big Rock Chophouse is theService proud recipient of the 2014 A.C.F. Achievement of Excellence Award.

Courses named after “Rock Blocks” in the Cliff Lede Vineyards.

Feel free to dress in your favorite Rock n’ Roll attire for the event.

Big Rock Chophouse will also be welcoming California’s popular Price fixed $125 inclusive tax, tip and valet. required as space La Crema Vineyards in of September for a Reservations special winemaker dinner is limited. For more information or to make reservations, call 248.647.7774. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 starting at 6:30 p.m.

Executive Chef Brian Henson, MCAA Chef of the Year.

Pastry Chef Eric Voigt.

For reservations or more information, call 248.647.7774.

245 South Eton, Birmingham•• 248.647.7774 • bigrockchophouse.com 248.647.7774 bigrockchophouse.com 94

Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.5800.

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

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

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

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

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

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

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

248.792.6051.

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

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966.

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

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

248.644.5222.

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

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

248.644.3122.

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

248.645.6999.

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

Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

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

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

Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch &

DOWNTOWN

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

09.14

AT THE TABLE Not a promising start for for new 220 restaurant

By J. March

hen I started in the industry over two decades ago, 220 Merrill was a big deal. Opened in 1984, not only was it the power lunch spot and the see-and-be-seen place for socialites, it was ahead of its time in culinary and service measures. The menu was inventive, the space was posh and the service was impeccable. While the social scene is still thriving, the days of spectacular dining aren’t looking too promising.

In February of this year, 220 was purchased by Denise Illitch and Zaid Elia. They commissioned Chicago architect Mark Knauer (designer behind Ocean Prime and Cameron Mitchell Steakhouses) to turn 220 into “a more contemporary version of the restaurant”. With the original oak paneling and crown molding intact, the rest of the space has been broken up into two dining rooms with country club-like tables on one side and low lit booths on the other. The front of the space is, true to form, an immense bar with ample space for local socialites and a patio that has grown by about 70 seats.

Eclectic paintings and exquisite light fixtures fill the bar, dining room and restrooms while a glass wall adorned with liquor bottles separates the two spaces. It is clear, even in its design, that the bar is the focal point of the new 220.

A brief phone call on Friday night confirmed what I had suspected in the form of “there is no way you’re getting a table tonight”. We decided to drop in late expecting to stand at the bar and have a drink, check the place out and look at the menu.

What I didn’t expect was the mob-like crowd that filled the newly decorated lounge that has been dubbed the Champagne Room. Over 100 people spilled out onto the patio, the restroom hallway and the dining room floor. In its first weekend being open, 220 had the crowd of a much anticipated restaurant, except no one was eating. Though the bar was completely packed, the dining room (at 9:45) was virtually empty. With the kitchen open until 11 p.m., we asked for a table and were accommodated immediately despite the “no chance in hell” phone call an hour before. Perhaps that should have been a sign.

Despite a virtually empty dining room, we were seated at the back, dangerously close to another couple and even closer to the kitchen doors. The only other couple of tables were VIP’s sipping champagne and toasting the owners on their new venture. To her credit, our server greeted us immediately after we sat down. To the restaurants discredit, it took us 20 minutes to get our first round.

It was painfully obvious that at this time of night, the dining room took a back seat to the bar.

Cocktails (named for surrounding streets) arrived in the form of The Pierce and The Adams.

With tequila, aperol, orange bitters, Pompelmo and grapefruit soda, The Adams was refreshing and balanced. The Pierce was comprised of Bombay sapphire, white grape juice, muddled grapes and ginger, shaken and poured into a martini glass table side. Once poured, my cocktail started to bubble immediately. This was followed by a constant stream of smoke that continued until I made my dining partner pull out the chunk of dry ice used to create the special effect show that was

W

Wood-fired flatbread with grilled apricot, bacon, baby arugula; Heirloom tomatoes burrata cheese, avocado, basil. Downtown photo: Jean Lannen

ridiculous, off-putting and completely out of place.

220 also offers an extensive wine list that is not only grossly overpriced but could have been left over from the 220 of old, with predictable choices from California, France and Oregon. Glass pours were impressively offered in two sizes, and the twelve draft beer choices happily included six from Michigan.

Executive Chef Scott Garthwaite (formerly of Sage restaurant group at Aria in Las Vegas) has put together a menu that is safe and predictable in its offerings and ideal in size. Though descriptions are brief and at times lacking of relevant components, they offer the promise of simple food done right.

Outside of the flatbread pizzas, the menu is fairly cohesive and fit to please the masses.

Appetizers went from old favorites like Seared Tuna and Mussels to the Detroit Sports Platter that included wings, fried risotto, pigs in a blanket and cracker jacks. The nod to the Illitch dynasty was not lost on me but again, out of place in the dining room of 220. Over-cooked grilled prawns arrived on a bed of creme fraiche with lemon, parsley and shaved fennel, followed by an heirloom tomato salad. There’s nothing more exciting than tomato season in Michigan, and I was anxious for their sweet, acidic flavors with the addition of creamy burrata, avocado and basil. What I got was a plate of tomatoes that were bruised, uneven and could have quite possibly been cut with a butter knife during a blind-folded quick fire challenge. We ordered the charcuterie board despite our server’s inability to tell us what was on it, even after leaving (for the third time) to find out. Speck, sopressatta and proscuitto came accompanied by goat cheese and something she could only describe as “like gruyere”. Safe in its simplicity, it was by far the best thing we tasted.

Salad choices included staples like the 220 Ceasar and the Chopped. We opted for the promising Sweet Pea and the original Grilled Peach offerings. Fresh English peas and chopped pea pods were sweet and delicious with a slightly lemony creme fraiche. Crispy, salty proscuitto would have been the perfect addition, but sadly it was served

in a limp pile under the peas, adding a displeasing texture and mouth feel with the firm peas. The grilled peach salad had apricots and beautifully pickled plums, but I had to pick them out of a pile of peaches, half of which were raw and hard.

The promise of fresh pasta prompted us to order the Lobster Fettuccine with a cauliflower cream sauce and pecorino cheese. Pan fried veal with polenta, mustard and arugula and King Salmon with green chili mustard and charred corn rounded out our selections. Fresh pasta is touchy and offers texture and flavor unique to its boxed counterparts.

If cooked properly and served immediately, it is delicious. None of those things were executed, leaving us with broken sauce, overly cooked, mushy pasta and lobster that not only was frozen but left with no chance after sitting in the kitchen for 20 minutes. The veal was encrusted in about three inches of panko and fried to the color of chocolate. Impossible to cut with a steak knife, the creamy polenta and arugula didn’t have a shot at being anything other than an extension of an inedible dish. The salmon was cooked perfectly and was a contender, if not for the missing chili mustard that I could have possibly used to drown what could only have been canned corn on the plate.

Our server offered desserts to which we accepted but were shortly denied moments later with the explanation that “the pastry chef has gone home”.

Sigh. It was then that I asked to speak to a manager. It was also then that while waiting, a champagne flute-clasping owner in mid-celebration walked by our table…barefoot.

Before I disclose my laundry list of complaints that I shared with management, let me first say that I am more than aware of the trials and tribulations of a newly opened restaurant. I was more than expecting (and willing to be understanding of) slow service, menu misses, minor chaos in the dining room, etc. What is in excusable to me, and what I explained to management, was the overall lack of caring as to what was happening in the dining room on a Friday night before the kitchen closed. Our food sat because, with consideration to the kitchen, I ordered it all at once, followed by the obvious request that it not all come out at once. It did. I sent it back. It sat under heat lamps.

Inexcusable. Our server, though sweet and eager, was not only remiss of any product knowledge, but upon asking another server for help, was treated dismissively in front of us. When our food was brought, the gentleman who served it gave us a “You guys are good right?” and neglected to notice we had zero silverware. On top of all of this, the food was not in need of tweaking or fine tuning, it was just bad. Uninspired, sloppily prepared and remiss of any sort of love whatsoever. How a new chef, owner, manager and staff cannot want to put their best foot forward in the first week leaves me wondering how they have any chance of lasting.

220, 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009.

248.646.2220. Lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. Entrees for dinner vary from $18-$44 with full bar service. Reservations. Street parking with an adjacent parking structure and $7 valet service.

Handicapped 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.

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Updated Throughout. Home Offers Rich Oak Floors & Coved Ceilings On 1st Floor, Custom Kitchen--An Entertainer's Delight! Large Sunny Breakfast Room.

Fireplaces In The Living Room & Basement. Must See! 214080565 $279,900

Contemporary Colonial In Desirable Shadow Woods. Grand Entrance With Open Foyer, Hardwood Floors &Crown Moldings. Sky Lights, Vaulted Ceilings, Granite Counters, Maple Cabinets, Custom Tile & More! Large Deck With Panoramic Views Of Yard.

Cozy Contemporary & Traditional! 214081131 $395,000

Elegant Tudor W/ Circle Drive. Welcoming Foyer. French Doors To Formal Living Room With Crown Moldings. Updated Kit W/ Granite Counters And Ceramic Backsplash, Stainless Appliances, Cathedral Family Room With Fireplace.

Magnificent Private Grounds, Wooded With Lush Lawns. 214078600 $417,900

Bring The HORSES ... Just Over 10 Acres Of Rolling Land Including Fenced Pasture And Woods. Home Is A Quad Level With OVER SIZED Eat In Kitchen With Hard Wood Floors And Windows Surrounding All Sides. Lower Level Family Room & Beautiful Sun Room! 214076019 $319,900

Beautiful Stately Colonial On Huge Lot In Westchester Village. This Home Has 5 Bedrooms, 4 1/2 Baths, 3 Car Garage.

Home Is Spotless, Freshly Painted, New Flooring, Beautiful Custom Gourmet Kitchen. Approx 5000 Sq Ft Of Beautiful Living Space.... This Is A Must See Home And Lot !!! 214055793 $940,000

Sheer Old European Elegance. Marble Entry. Massive 2 Story Great Rm W/ Contoured Ceiling, Granite FP & White Wool Carpeting. French-Style Floor Length Doors And Windows. Formal DR with FP + Blt-In Cabinetry. Private Elevator. Master W/Floor To Ceiling Closets & Private Patio. 214037096 $650,000

Charming 5 Bedroom, 3 Bath Troy Cape Cod. This Home Sits On A Beautifully Landscaped Lot With Loads Of Perennials. Enter Through The French Doors To A Very Open Layout With A Corner Fireplace. Island Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appl And Doorwall To Deck With Hot Tub And Lg Back Yard!

214070396 $219,900

Combine Indoor/Outdoor Living. Huge Paved Patio Just Outside Your Door Wall.

3 Flrs Of Windows Overlooking Pond.

Walk Out Finished LL-- Everything Is Upgraded-. Walk-In Pantry, Dbl Oven, Sub Zero, Master Bath W/Steam Rm. Speakers Thru Out- Too Many Wonderful Details to List! Must See! 214001722 $669,900

Sparkling Clean. Gleaming Wood Floors.

Newer Siding. Furnace, A/C & Hot Water Heater . Cherry Kitchen With Custom Cupboards. Brand New Stainless Steel Dishwasher, Electric Stove, Refrigerator.

Updated Bath With Original Ceramic Tile.

214074189 $179,900

Mediterranean Lakefront Estate On Over 12 Acres/500 Ft Of Frontage On Desirable DEER LAKE. Beautifully Landscaped/Wooded Acreage, Private Pond, Boardwalk To Sandy Beach And Private Bay. Stunning In-Ground Heated Pool W/ Hot Tub And Koi Pond With Waterfall. 214065717 $1,700,000

This Charming Ranch Sits On 4 Lots Equaling Approx. 1 Acre Of Beautiful Property Surrounded By Million Dollar Homes And Fabulous Views Of All Sports "Square Lake". The Value Is In The Land But This Home Has Great Character! With Fireplace, Coved Ceilings And Views Of Lake! 214056150 $274,900

Stunning Contemporary. This Home Features Huge Rooms, Two Story Foyer And Living Room Large Windows And Skylights, Large Loft Off Master Bedroom For Sitting Area Or Study/Library, Granite Counters In Kitchen, Finished LL With Bedroom And Wet Bar. Birmingham Schools. 214067628 $399,000

One of the 10 largest real estate firms in Michigan with multiple offices serving Metro-Detroit

Today, Inc. www.century21today.com

Bloomfield Hills (248) 647-8888 | Farmington Hills (248) 855-2000 West Bloomfield (248) 360-9100 | Livonia (734) 462-9800

CLICK or CALL Today (248) 647-8888

Beautiful Ranch W/ Gorgeous New Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appl Open To Lg Great Room With Gas Fireplace. Spacious Private Lot With Large Deck. Full Basement. Three Car Garage For All Of Your Lake Toys.

Lake Sherwood Dock/Boating Privileges! 214083655 $219,000

A Real Find! A Contemporary Home With Attached Oversized Garage.

Perfect For The Car Buff Or "Man Cave". Lovely Yard With Small Decorative Fish Pond, All Fenced And Even Has Dog Run. This Is A Nice Neighborhood In The FERNDALE School District. Walking Distance To Downtown Ferndale. 214080080 $169,900

Fox Lakefront Home On Over An Acre W/115 Ft Of Lake Frontage In Exclusive Lakeridge Of Wabeek.

Panoramic Views Of Beautiful Mature Trees And Fox Lake. Walls Of Windows From Floor To Ceilings.

Almost 7000 Sqft, Open And Bright Floor Plan- Natural Light Abounds Throughout! 214069287 $789,000

This Charming Colonial Is Just A Few Minutes From St. Johns Hospital And Local Shopping, Restaurants, School And Park. Three Bedrooms, 2-1/2 Baths, Large Livings Room With Natrual Fireplace, Family Room , Partially Finished Basement With 1/2 Bath And New Garage. 214083050 $224,900

LE SA

Beautiful 2-Story Colonial Boasts 3 Bedrms & 2.5 Baths, Library With Built Ins, 1st Floor Laundry & 2 Car Att Garage. Kitchen W/ Granite Black Transformation Counters, Back Splash, Maple Cabinets & Breakfast Nook, Walk Out To Cement And Stone Patio From Fam Rm W Brick Fireplace. 214078764 $234,900

Spectacular Mission Springs Home.

Located Deep In Heavily Wooded Neighborhood With Protected Grounds. Nicely Updated Kitchen.

Spacious Master Suite. Great Room With Gas Fireplace And Vaulted Ceiling. Finished Basement With Custom Granite Bar, Rec Room & More!

Must See! 214032965 $379,900

Commerce Area Ranch In Popular Location On A Quiet Dead-End Street.

Offers Large Wide Open Living Area.

Kitchen With New Granite Counters.

Great Room Has Vaulted Ceiling And Brick Fireplace. New Furnace And Hot Water Heater. Just A Short Walk To All Sports Commerce Lake. 214068051 $199,900

Beautiful Ranch With Views Of Golf Course, Stunning Brick Paver Entrance. Open Floor Plan. Hardwood Floors. Large Family Room With Cathedral Ceiling And Fireplace, Kitchen With Oak Cabinets. Master Suite features A Walk In Closet, Garden Tub & Separate Shower.

214080257 $299,900

LE SA

Chalet Style Lakefront. Spectacular Main Lake Views. Finished Walk-Out LL, Very Private Setting. You'll Love Beautiful Bloomer Park Directly Across The St. This Property Allows You To Appreciate A Natural Setting With Matures Trees, Plantings, And Wild Life. In Area Of Higher Priced Homes! 214051974 $459,000

Fabulous Commerce Pines Ranch, 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths, Finished Basement With Possible 4th Bedroom And Bar, Very Open Floor Plan With Cathedral Ceilings. Great Room With Fireplace, Door Wall To Deck.

Spacious Master With Walk In Closet.

Extra Deep Garage. 214066130 $259,000

Every Room Has Been Updated!

Hardwood Floors Throughout Entire Home. Open Floor Plan With Natural Sunlight And Soaring Ceilings . Lovely Cherry Wood Kitchen With Granite Counters. Fabulous Finish LowerLevel. Open Florida Room Off Of Kitchen. 214050319 $345,000

NG DI N PE

NG DI N PE

Location, Location, Location!!

Gorgeous 1.5 Story, First Floor Master W/Open Floor Plan! Former Builders Model!! Incredible Island Kitchen, Granite Counters, Walk In Pantry, SS Appl & More! 2 Story Foyer Leads To Large Great Rm W/Fireplace.

Northville Schools! Close To Shopping!

214041577 $549,900

One of the 10 largest real estate firms in Michigan with multiple offices serving Metro-Detroit Bloomfield Hills (248) 647-8888 | Farmington Hills (248) 855-2000 West Bloomfield (248) 360-9100 | Livonia (734) 462-9800

CLICK or CALL Today (248) 647-8888

Today, Inc. www.century21today.com

A 4961 Rands ~ Bloomfield

Birmingham Schools • 5321 sq. ft. • 1 Acre Lot 5 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, 3 Half Baths Garage Parking for 8 Cars • Walk-Out Master Suite & Den 700 Bottle Walk-in Wine Cooler • All New Kitchen

Steve Katsaros

rchitecture by Alexander V. Bogaerts, Design by Georgia & Assoc. You'll be amazed at all the detail & custom features this house has to offer.

Perfect set-up for those couples who love to entertain they will appreciate all the detail of every little nook & cranny. NEW upscale gourmet chef’s kitchen, long quartz island counter w/gas cooktop, seamless 1 piece SS counter & sink, countless built-in cabinets & top-of the-line SS Appliances.

Walk-out Master Suite, w/pan ceiling & a spectacular 2-story custom wood walk-in-closet (25x11) BainUltra jetted tub, heated floor, makeup area, and granite counter. Auto buffs will go crazy w/parking for 5 full size cars & 3 toys. Large office suite with a separate entrance & walls of built-in cabinets, perfect for any in-home career or convert it to a 5th bedroom/au-pair suite/game room. Wine lovers will delight with the 700-bottle temperature controlled secure walk-in wine cooler adjacent to a cozy walk-out den w/ a beautiful stone fireplace, bar & private patio w/pergola.

Living area w/vaulted ceilings and fireplace. Rich hardwood floors. Formal Dining area. Full wall of windows across rear of Family Room, overlooking a gorgeous waterfall surrounded by a professionally designed brick paver patio perfect for entertaining. Long circular paved drive.

Finished basement. New Roof in 2014.

Associate Broker

Cell: 248-229-4663 | Office: 248-208-2979 stevekatsaros@realestateone.com

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE MORTGAGES FROM CHARTER ONE

YOUR PLANS. OUR TOOLS. LET’S BUILD.

A Shout Out to Local Businesses Leaders As a non-profit, The Community House (TCH) is fortunate that so many impressive local businesses and leaders care about supporting our programming by sponsoring our Fall Community Events – all of which raise money to support our outreach programs for children and families in need. These caring and philanthropically minded folks, along with our generous Annual Fund Drive donors and Board of Directors, are helping us maintain our critical and strong level of programming for the over 210,000 people we serve.

Sept. 6th Farm to Table Block Party Food Fest Camille Jayne • Huntington Bank ™, Presenting Sponsor; Mike Fezzey, President, SE Region Contributing Sponsors: edible WOW Magazine, 96.3 WDVD, Metro Times, WXYZ Channel 7, and Whole Foods • Restaurants: Streetside Seafood, The Stand Gastro Bistro, Forest Grill, The Root, Toasted Oak, Peabody’s, Colors, Cacao Tree Café, Dorsey Culinary Academy, Lafayette Market & Café, Loya Organic and, of course, our very own TCH chefs!

• Food Vendors: Calder Dairy, Cooper Street Cookies, Door to Door Organics, Eli’s Tea Bar, Imerman Cake Co., Mighty Good Coffee, Mindo Chocolate Makers, Monty’s Beef, La Petite Pastry Shoppe, Peteet’s Famous Cheesecakes, Raw Foodie, Slow Jams, Sweet Occasions and Whole Foods • Farmers: Hickory Hills Farm; and Upland Hills Organic Farm • Libations: Journeyman Distillery, Northern United Brewing Company and Verterra Winery September 16th Birmingham House Tour • Hall and Hunter, Presenting Sponsor; Dennis J. Wolf, CEO • Contributing Sponsors: Ethan Allen, Gorman’s, Level One Bank and Detroit Home September-November Professional Development Lectures & Networking • Oakland University School of Business, Presenting Sponsor; Michael Mazzeo, Dean • Contributing Sponsors: Vasileff Medical Group, TAMMA Capital, Raymond James, Bank of Birmingham and dBusiness October 8th-11th OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale, Student Workshops • DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Julie Rodecker, President; Presenting Sponsor • Opening Night Party Sponsor (October 8th): Raymond James; Thomas A. James, Chairman • Contributing Sponsors: Magnolia by the Lakes, Studio D, StyleLine Magazine and Huntington Bank October 23rd Business Educational Symposium – Half Day Conference • The Orlans Group, Presenting Sponsor; Linda Orlans, CEO • Contributing Sponsors: PNC Bank, Northwood University, Raymond James, Managed Asset Portfolios, • Malibu Technologies and Vasileff Medical Group November 19th Get & Give A Basket Women’s Holiday Mixer • Lead Sponsors: Bank of Birmingham; Rob Farr, President/CEO, and Vasileff Medical Group; Dr. William J. Vasileff, Founder TCH Outreach Dedicated Sponsors • iCount™ Childhood Obesity Prevention Program for At Risk Teens Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Presenting Sponsor; Daniel J. Loepp, President/CEO; Contributing Sponsors: Bank of Birmingham, Technology Equity Associates and Huntington Bank • Feed Your Family’s Future Literacy Program for Parents of Preschool Children PNC Foundation, Presenting Sponsor; Eva T. Blum, Chairwoman & President; Contributing Sponsors: Howard & Howard, PLLC, Talmer Bank and Kadima • 21st Century Leaders Entrepreneurship Program for 7th Graders David Trott, Presenting Sponsor; Candidate for Congress Contributing Sponsor: Jaya Travel New TCH Board Members David Beddow, Technology Equity Associates; President Lisa Sampson, PNC Wealth Management; Managing Director/SVP Mark Tapper, Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry; President Camille Jayne is President and CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

At Charter One we’re for homes. That’s why we offer construction to permanent loans that help you build the home that’s right for you.

• A single loan closing saves both time and money • Fixed or adjustable rate mortgage available on permanent loans • Lock in your permanent rate before you build • Enjoy up to 12-months of interest only financing during construction It’s never too early to explore your options, so speak with Marilyn Johnson today.

MARILYN JOHNSON NMLS ID# 697433 810-441-1377 marilyn.s.johnson@charteronebank.com

Mortgages are offered and originated by RBS Citizens, N.A. Charter One is a brand name of RBS Citizens, N.A. (NMLS ID# 433960).

All loans are subject to approval. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. 1213

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The Real Difference in Real Estate at every price

Marketing residential real estate is a complex speciality.

If you are considering the sale or purchase of a home or property, let’s discuss how our highly individualized and successful approach will exceed your expectations.

Nanci J. Rands

Meredith Colburn

Associate Broker

Associate Broker

248.701.9000

248.762.5319

nrands@hallandhunter.com

RandsColburn.com

mcolburn@hallandhunter.com

®

®

442 South Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Sky Foundation’s Women’s Event Bluma Schechter, whose artfilled home overlooks Chalmers Lake, hosted a cocktail buffet friend raiser for Sheila Kasselman’s SKY Foundation.

The foundation’s mission – to find an early marker for pancreatic cancer - resonates with both women. Kasselman overcame pancreatic cancer because she badgered her doctors until it Sally Gerak was diagnosed early enough for successful surgery and Schechter’s husband of 51 years succumbed to pancreatic cancer last year. In addition to good food, spirits and conversation both inside and on the terrace, the evening featured informative presentations by SKY Foundation researchers the University of Washington’s Dr. Teri Brentnall and the University of Michigan’s Dr. Diane Simeone and by Wayne State University genetics professor Nancie Petrucelli. When they concluded, Kasselman pointed out that “…research dollars are so essential.” To that end, the SKY Foundation will host a fundraising luncheon at the Townsend on Sunday, Nov. 2. For information and reservations, go to Skyfoundationinc.org.

Loyola High School’s Tigers Fundraiser The 18th annual Loyola High School tuition assistance fundraiser drew 850 school boosters to the Detroit Athletic Cub Pavilion before a Detroit Tigers game with the Minnesota Twins last month. Some, like Pat Carroll with 20 family members, came in multi-generation groups to support the Detroit school that provides a Jesuit education to boys, 65 percent of them from homes at or below the poverty level.

Friendly students mingled with the guests selling raffle and coin flip tickets. All savored tailgate fare from the grills and checked out the 70 items in the silent auction which recorded bids of $25,000-plus. A scholarship auction raised $11,000 in a mere five minutes and the cash raffle raised over $20,000. Event co-chair Crystal Davidson was thrilled to win the $1,000 second prize so she could give it back. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” she said later. The popular event raised more than $200,000 for tuition assistance at the Detroit school which can brag that 100 percent of its graduates are accepted into two or four-year colleges. The only thing the whole evening lacked was a Tigers victory.

St. Vincent de Paul Pre-Celebration/Golf Classic Sue Nine and Theresa Mazur chaired the informal Champagne & Coneys supper party that attracted dozens of St. Vincent de Paul supporters ($100-tickets) to St. Hugo of the Hills’ Fellowship Hall three weeks before the 23rd annual Golf Classic. Because the golf event raises funds for kids in need to go to SVDP’s Camp Ozanam, the spotlight was on two beloved camp alumni – Msgr. Tony Tocco and Hoot McInerney. Msgr. Tony shared childhood memories of the joyful two weeks reprieve from working on his family fruit truck, “…even though swimming in Lake Huron was a polar experience… Camp Ozanam has a real place in my heart,” he said.”

The golf benefit was chaired by Dr. Lucia Zamorano and sponsored by her Oakland MRI center. It brought 144 golfers ($275) and some 165 for dinner ($125) to Pine Lake Country Club. WXYZ TV’s Vic Faust emceed the dinner program that also featured a live auction and pledges to the Padilla FamIly $20,000 challenge The Jade Scientific team won the traveldowntownpublications.com

SKY Foundation’s Women’s Event

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1. Doreen Hermelin (left) of Bingham Farms, Bluma Schechter of Bloomfield, and Sheila Kasselman of W. Bloomfield 2. Janice Steinhardt (left) and Cynthia Shaw of Birmingham 3. Kathy Wilson (left) of Birmingham, Wendy Powers and Julie Beal of Bloomfield 4. Rachel Schechter Zimmerman (left) of Huntington Woods, Phyllis Yates of Birmingham, Susie Schechter of Bloomfield 5. SuSu Sosnick (left) of Birmingham, Maddy Forbes and Meryl Podolsky of Bloomfield 6. Carole Peck (left) of Bloomfield, Judy McClelland of Birmingham 7. Edie Slotkin of Bloomfield 8. Eleanor Jackier (left) of W. Bloomfield, Barbara Sachse of Bloomfield 9. Maggie Allesee (left) of Bloomfield, Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham

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Loyola High School Tigers Fundraiser

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1. Mike Madison (left) of Grosse Pointe and Crystal Davison of Bloomfield with Fr. Mark Luedtke of Detroit 2. Marge Fredericks (left) and Dave (holding grandson Hank) and Anne Sommerfeld of Bloomfield 3. Sponsor Drew Peslar (left) of Birmingham with Bridget and Mark Bealin of Troy 4. Mary Jo (left) and Chip Dawson of Bloomfield and Joe and Anne Cornillie of Troy, Walter King (right) of Detroit 5. Pat (left) and Gerry Carroll with sons Mark of Birmingham and Dan of Bloomfield 6. Crystal (left), Larry and Amy Davidson of Bloomfield

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK St. Vincent de Paul Champagne & Coneys

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1. Sue Nine (left) and Theresa Mazur of Bloomfield with Dr. Lucia Zamorano of W. Bloomfield 2. Claudia Harlan (center) with Msg. Tony Tocco (left) and Hoot McInerney of Bloomfield 3. Craig Fyre (center) of Bloomfield with Leo Padilla (left) and Gerry Padilla of Birmingham 4. Terry Desmond (left) of Bloomfield and Karen and Mike Brown of Troy 5. Sue Cischke (left) and Dick Mazur of Bloomfield 6. Bill Brazier (left) of Clarkston and Bill Slowey of Bloomfield

DSO Heroes Gala

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1. John Williams and Stephen Spielberg 2. Lauren and Phillip Fisher of Bloomfield 3. Phyllis and Steve Strome of Bloomfield 4. Jennifer and David Forbes of Bloomfield 5. Nate and Catherine Forbes of Franklin 6. Gerry Padilla and Linda Orlans of Birmingham 7. Paul W. and Kim Smith of Bloomfield 8. Saul and Helen Forman of Bloomfield 9. David Monn (center) of NYC with Kenneth and Frances Eisenberg of Bloomfield 10. Sarah Cuyler and Art Van Elslander of Bloomfield

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ing trophy with the low score but more than 200 kids in need will be the real winners because they’ll get to go to Camp Ozanam free of charge.

DSO Heroes Gala Upon the conclusion of composer/conductor John Williams and film director Steven Spielberg’s benefit concert at Orchestra Hall, Avern Cohn opined, “There has never before been an evening like this in Detroit.” You know it was splendiferous because the federal judge has been observing the local scene ever since his birth in Detroit 90 years ago.

It began in the Max Fisher Center atrium with the cocktail hour that featured music by Ben Sharkey and DSO chair Phillip Fisher’s tribute to the 2014 DSO Heroes Dan Gilbert and Matt Cullen. He noted that beyond their well-documented dedication to the revitalization of the city, the pair was instrumental in the successful mediation process between the DSO and its musicians in 2011 and arranged the DSO’s wildly successful Kid Rock concert which raised $1 million in 2012. But unlike previous heroes (Jim Nicholson, Lloyd Reuss and Barbara Van Dusen) who were saluted on the stage at intermission, Gilbert and Cullen got to be inconspicuous members of the black tie audience.

DSO music director Leonard Slatkin welcomed all via video and explained his long friendship with the concert stars. It dates back to his boyhood in Los Angeles before his musician mother played in Williams’ orchestra for Spielberg’s movie “Jaws” in 1975. The music and narration that followed, some with film footage on the screen above the musicians, illustrated Spielberg’s declaration that “… music is critically important to film.”

This was demonstrated dramatically by first showing footage from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” without music, then with music. At the conclusion, Spielberg said,” That’s why I desperately need this man in my life,” and went on to call Williams “…one of my greatest gifts ever.” Williams’ music (think “Star Wars”, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, and “Schindler’s List”, the latter with a stirring violin solo by DSO concertmaster Yoonshin Song) inspired the audience to coax three encores from the Oscar-winning Williams and Spielberg, the top grossing director of all time.

Five hundred of the 2,000 concertgoers stayed to dine and dance in the MAX. 09.14

The gala evening, with its two pairs of heroes, raised $1.3 million for the DSO. DSO Volunteer Anniversary Luncheon Members of the Volunteer Council celebrated 25 years of dedicated service and fund-raising for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the 2014 Annual Meeting and Luncheon held at The Reserve. The first VC president Marianne Endicott described how five different support organizations were combined in 1989 – a daunting task, with a most successful result. Thirteen of the original members in attendance were Endicott, Marlynn Barnes, Alice Berberian Haidostian, Mary Putinta, Queenie Sarkisian, Coco Siewert, Ellie Tholen, Jeanette Keramedjian, Jean Carman, Gloria Clark, Jo Kessler, Max Lepler and Mado Lie. Other luncheon highlights included a performance by flutist David Buck, violinist Laurie Goldman, and bassoonist Michael Ma and award presentations. The Alice Berberian Haidostian Lifetime Achievement Award went to Janet Ankers, who served an extended three-year term as president during the orchestra’s work stoppage and helped keep the VC inspired and on course, and Volunteer of the Year awards went to Sandie Knollenberg, Charlotte Worthen, Kelly Hayes and Rukayya AhsanMcTier.

DSO Volunteer Council 25th Anniversary Luncheon

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1. Sandie Knollenberg (left) of Bloomfield and Charlotte Worthen of Livonia. 2. Kelly Hayes of Birmingham 3. Janet Ankers (left) and Mary Beattie of Beverly Hills; Alice Berberian Haidostian of Bloomfield 4. Mary Putinta and Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield 5.

Eric Lundquist (left) of Orchard Lake; Marlene Bihlmeyer of Bloomfield, Coco Siewert of Birmingham

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TCH 90 and beyond Luncheon

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3 TCH 90 and Beyond Luncheon The third annual 90 & Beyond Luncheon attracted 198 to The Community House to celebrate the talented, hardworking and generous individuals who helped build this community and the 91-year-old House. Most of the 98 nonagenarians in the crowd brought two photos of themselves, one “then” and one “now”, for recognition before the video presentation Foods, Fads & Fashions Through the Decades.

At 104-years young, Amy Zemmin took the longevity honors. La Petite Pastry Shoppe’s bumpy cake was a sweet conclusion to the event, which also included souvenirs: a commemorative photo by Aly Darin Photography, shot glasses for the men and TCH note cards for the women.

Lighthouse PATH’s Salute America The patriotically bedecked charity event that was originated by Maggie Allessee and Sue Nine attracted a spirited crowd of 200 ($150 & up tickets) to Oakland Hills Country Club just before Independence Day. The 11th downtownpublications.com

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1. Dr. Farideh Bagne of Bloomfield, Cassie Vasileff of Birmingham and Christine Lynn of Beverly Hills 2. Al and Joyce Alberts of Bloomfield 3. 104-year-old Amy Zemmin of Bloomfield 4.

Patti Peacock (center) of Birmingham, with Arlene Cook (left) and Phyllis Abel of W Bloomfield 5. John Horiszny of Birmingham and Camille Jayne of Bloomfield

Variety’s Kovan Golf Classic

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1. Dr. Tom Kovan (left) of W. Bloomfield and Jeff Schoenberg of Birmingham 2. Ed Shaw (lef) and Barry Haselden of Birmingham 3.

Karen Gaudette (left), Debbie Franssen and Judy Haselden of Birmingham 4. Ruthie Seltzer (left) and Felicia Shaw of Birmingham 5. Marty Seltzer (left) and Lyle Shuert of Birmingham

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Lighthouse Oakland County PATH’s Salute America

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1. Beckie Sorensen (left) of Bloomfield and Laurie Horvath of W. Bloomfield 2. Teri Fenner (left) of Bloomfield, Robin Schirs of Lake Orion and her daughter Lilli Antonelli 3. Gail PopeRashid (left) of Bloomfield, Nancy Sullivan of Northville, Molly Williams of Bingham Farms and Karen Rashid Balow of Beverly Hills 4. Rhonda Walker, Matt Rizik of Birmingham 5. Rick Sorensen (left) of Bloomfield, Tom Maniaci of Birminghan 6. Sandy Morrison (left) and Pam McCarthy of Bloomfield, Laurie Cunnington of Birmingham, Emily Cunnington of Phoenix, AZ 7. John Ziraldo (left) of Detroit, Sue and Paul Nine of Bloomfield 8. Staci (left) and Paul Zimmerman, Ellen Zimmerman DeMaris, Karl and Sarah Zimmerman of Bloomfield 9. Tom Cunnington (left) of Birmingham, Mike McCarthy of Bloomfield 10. Marj DeCapita (left) and Kathy Walgren of Birmingham

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DSO Volunteer Council’s Musical Feast

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1. Kim (left) and Paul Fortin of Bloomfield, Christine Provost of Birmingham 2. Dr. Paul Goodman (left) of Huntington Woods, Dr. Myron LaBan of Bloomfield, David Provost of Birmingham 3. Jon and Judy Anderson of Bloomfield 4. Craig Arnold (left) and Rick Tonis of Birmingham 5. Sandra Moers (left) and Joyce LaBan of Bloomfield, Barbara Goodman of Huntington Woods 6. Bernard and Ellie Robertson of Bloomfield

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annual Salute America, chaired by Becky Sorensen and Laurie Horvath, offered a silent auction ($9,000), strolling dinner and perfect weather for socializing al fresco on the veranda. Before awards were presented, PATH client Penelope Allen declared her determination “…to make it work” so that her daughter will have a good mom (unlike herself, a product of foster care).

The awards program featured Rhonda Walker, whose foundation empowers inner city teen girls; former governor Jim Blanchard, who noted that Walker’s parents had worked on his campaign and that he was raised by a single mother who was a social worker; and The Motown chapter of 100 Plus Women Who Care. It was represented by its three founders. Nancy Sullivan, Molly Williams and Karen Rashid Balow, who explained how the group maximizes the impact of small donations to Detroit area charities. Auctioneer Charles Wickins then cajoled guests to bid $14,500 in a mini live auction and to donate $15,000 to remodel 18 of the 23year-old PATH kitchens. Dessert and dancing to the Rick Lieder Band polished off the evening which raised more than $100,000 to help Lighthouse PATH eliminate the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Variety’s Kovan Golf Classic The Kovan clan, young and old, were out in force for the awards dinner at the 25th annual Jonathan Kovan & Dr. Bradley S. Kovan Golf Classic benefiting Variety, The Children’s Charity. “It’s about Variety, pediatric cancer …and brain research, but it’s also how you treat people,” said Bruce Kovan. He followed Eric Kovan who thanked the three remarkable staffers who make Variety’s events most notable and the five friendly Detroit Tigers wives . They were chatting up the crowd of 200 savoring the Pure Michigan summer on the Birmingham Country Club terrace and selling chances ($3,900) to play golf at Oakland Hills CC with Anabel Sanchez.

Thanks also to the silent auction and generous sponsors, the classic raised $80,000 for the special children served by Variety’s programs, but there were also big people winners among the 170 golfers. The first place team was Tom Mekjian, Homer Linard, Andrew Linard and Michael Roberts. Additionally, Scott Alexander won longest drive. Craig Matiesen won straightest drive. Herb Knowles won Closest to the Pin. Knowles also won the 50/50 raffle and, after Bruce Marwil told how great the VIP golf trip to Pebble Beach was last year, Knowles out bid Bruce Kridler for that, too.

Common Ground’s Victim Assistance Benefit Kathy Walgren and Cathy McNamara chaired Common Ground’s cocktail hour 09.14

gathering that attracted 125 ($90-ticket) to the Village Club. But they did not come primarily for cocktails. They came to hear speaker Theresa Flores tell how she was trapped into human slavery three decades ago when she was a student at Birmingham Groves. The beginning of the tragedy was totally understandable: a cute, older guy’s offer of a ride home, an innocent stop at his house to pick up something, a soda pop containing a drug that knocked her out to be raped and photographed in the act. Embarrassment and the offer “to earn” back the photos kept her in horrific bondage for two years until her father’s job necessitated a move to another town. Now a social worker, victim’s advocate and bestselling author (“The Slave Across the Street”), Flores travels the country sharing her story. And because only two percent of prostitutes choose to be one, she has formed S.O.A.P. (Save our Adolescents from Prostitution). Michigan assistant attorney general Karen Carter and CG’s Vickie Kriger also spoke about the rise in human trafficking and the various forms it takes. CG serves more than 70,000 a year.

Its Victim Assistance Program will benefit from the event proceeds ($8,500).

Catch the Fireworks with Cass Nearly 300 supporters ($250-ticket) of Cass Community Social Services convened at Coach Insignia to view the 56th annual Ford Fireworks display over the Detroit River. Not only did they savor great food and spirits and contribute $100,000 to the CCSS mission (fight poverty and create opportunity), they also rubbed elbows with celebrity guest Isiah Thomas and got a super souvenir (a pair of Detroit Treads the CCSS Green Industries sandals made out of recycled, illegally dumped tires and recycled seat belts by formerly homeless men and at-risk youth). They also roundly applauded Pistons’ Game Changer awardee Mike Smith. The formerly homeless, 20-year drug addict has not only been sober for 23 years, he is now happily married, owns a furniture store and regularly gives furniture to CCSS clients who are turning around their own lives.

Ladies of Charity 50th Anniversary Prelude Although the 50th anniversary of Oakland County’s Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul will not be until Sept. 12, 2015, the chair of the celebration, Mia Materka, is leaving nothing to chance. She has recruited an honorary committee of 14 women known for their community service.

At the luncheon she hosted for them at The Heathers Club most already knew that the L of C was founded in France in 1617 to serve the poor by a Catholic priest, so they applauded the celebration’s French theme – Joie de la Nuit – and word that downtownpublications.com

Common Ground’s Victim Assistance Program Benefit

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2 1. Cathy McNamara (left) of Rochester Hills and Kathy Walgren of Birmingham, Kay White of Bloomfield 2. Rebecca (left) and Dana Soresen, Elizabeth Kojoian and Bruce Kridler of Bloomfield 3. Karen Kelly (left) of Royal Oak, Marj DeCapite of Birmingham 4. Dr. Patricia Moylan (left) of Northville, Rebecca Vlasic of Birmingham and Audrey Klegman of Commerce 5. Victim advocate Vivian Steinhilper (left) of Waterford, CG board / committee member Chris Ruen of Rochester Hills 6. Harriet Israel (left) of Bloomfield, Chris Liparoto of Rochester Hills, Pam Catto of Beverly Hills 7. Kathy Walgren (left) of Birmingham and her mother Peg McCarthy of Coco Bay, FL

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BBAC’s Fine Art of Summer

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1. Joyce (left) & Myron LaBan (right) of Bloomfield, Michael Farrell, and event co-host Dale Morgan of Detroit 2. Event co-host Norm Silk of Detroit; BBAC President and CEOAnnie VanGelderen of Commerce 3. Mitch Meisner (left) of Huntington Woods; Maria Marcotte of Birmingham, Maggie Greene of Grosse Pointe 4. Lois DeBacker & Lisa Peers of Birmingham 5. Susie & Robert Citrin of Birmingham 6. Sam Bernstein of Bloomfield, Bernie Rubin of Birmingham 7. Michele Bleznak of Birmingham; Diane Orley of Bloomfield

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Scott L. King Serving Aces for Sarcoma VIP Party

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Archbishop Allen Vigneron will attend. And since none of the 17,000 poor families the all-volunteer organization serves each year are in a position to consider being sponsors of the black tie anniversary celebration, Materka will gladly supply that information to anyone who can. Contact her by email: mcmaterka@yahoo.com or at (248) 738 5891.

Scott L. King Serving Aces for Sarcoma When the late Scott L. King’s oldest daughter Courtney welcomed the 250 guests to the SLK Sacrcoma Foundation fundraiser at Bloomfield Open Hunt she quoted an African proverb: “Go alone to go fast. Go together to last.” And indeed, the sixth annual event – comprising a youth tournament, a pro exhibition and clinic, and a party – evidenced a whole lot of relationships spearheaded by King’s widow Julie and his brother Keith. Scott’s boyhood friend Craig Wittus was the key to the new-this-year professional components. He works in Florida with tennis pro Aaron Krickstein who plays exhibition matches with fellow tennis pro Jimmy Arias, now an ESPN announcer. Their participation enhanced the event.

The exhibition attracted some 350 spectators ($25, $15-kids) to BOH. Krickstein was up 5-3 in the ninth game when Arias went down with a sprained ankle. So Krickstein continued to hit with some of the juniors in the crowd and Arias and Wittus provided commentary. They then joined more than 200 ($150) at the VIP Party and Silent Auction in the clubhouse. The merriment paused for a brief program emceed by Keith King’s brother-in-law Pat Sh ields. It featured a sarcoma research update by University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Dr. Scott Schuetze, remarks by presenting sponsor Billy Harahan and Krickstein. The next morning 50 players (at $100-per hour) were in the All-American Pro Clinic.

The Under-10 USTA Tennis Tournament, played in three different levels, attracted more than 100 children from SE Michigan and Ontario to the Birmingham Racquet Club. It used the QuickStart format – smaller courts and racquets and slower balls. When the competition concluded, the flight winners were Patrick Tiwari, Laynie Thompson, Michael Liss, Andrea Fulmer and Stasia Kryk. But the real winner will be sarcoma research at UMCCC funded by the event proceeds.

DSO Volunteer Musical Feast Even before the Detroit Symphony Orchestra had the Volunteer Council, it had the Musical Feasts fundraiser. The first was presented 27 years ago by the Detroit Symphony League and they have been continued by the Volunteer Council since it was formed 25 years ago. This year there were 18 feasts ranging in price from $75 to $1,000 for 10 to 75 guests. The casual Farm-to-Fork dinner party for 30 hosted by Christine and David Provost at their charming Birmingham home was a perfect example of why they are so popular.

Guests were welcomed at the front door by MF chair Magda Moss. They socialized, sipped Michigan wines and spirits and savored passed hors d’oeuvres created by Mary Wilson’s Wandering Gourmet (www.wgcatering.com) before taking their seats at the dinner tables set up on the terrace. After Magda thanked them for their support of the orchestra, Sharon Sparrow and Jeffrey Zook presented a joy filled performance on flutes and keyboard. They also shared fun, personal anecdotes of their musical relationship and for an encore, performed an original version of Robert Shuman’s “A Garden Melody”. “The first performance is tonight, for you,” Sparrow noted. The dinner that followed featured local fare like crusted perch, wood grilled tenderloin, Zingerman’s cheeses and peaches and cream dessert. When the final MF on Nov. 2 concludes, more than 400 music lovers will have participated in the intimate socials. Call (313) 576-5154 to see if any reservations are still available.

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1. Julie Link King and Kurt Streng of Bloomfield 2. Courtney King (left), Anna Boomer and Kerry King of Bloomfield 3. Ellie Link (left) of Bloomfield, her daughter Jill West of Boston, MA, Ryan King and Erin Antonishen of Bloomfield 4. Walt Oehrlein (left) of Bloomfield, Pat Shields of Reading, PA 5. Jeff Etterbeck (left) of Bloomfield, Bill and Anne Streng of Orchard Lake 6. Denise Abrash and Jim Hayes of Bloomfield 7. Amanda and Jon Uffelman of Bloomfield 8. Patty and Frank Willard of Birmingham 9. Sun-ly Pierce (left) of Clinton, Jarryd and Shauna Elias of Bloomfield 10. Guy and Gail Gordon of Bloomfield

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BBAC’s Fine Art of Summer The third annual Fine Art of Summer, which is developing a reputation as a “must attend” event, was hosted by Dale Morgan and Norm Silk at their Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Detroit home. When they purchased the home in 2006, the proprietors of Blossoms in Birmingham set about restoring and renovating the architectural treasure that was built in 1955. They graciously welcomed 150 supporters of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center for an evening of cocktails and a strolling al fresco supper, plus informal house tours. Jazz by the Gary Schunk Trio was a perfect back ground to the music. The Pure Michigan evening raised more than $30,000 to support the art access and education programs at the center.

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

DOWNTOWN

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Striking out right balance in downtown area

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here is a tale of two cities unfolding in Oakland County involving Birmingham and neighboring Royal Oak, with recent news stories focusing on the demise of several long-term retail establishments in Royal Oak, leading to over a dozen downtown storefront vacancies and an abundance of bars and restaurants, with the likelihood of an influx for more. City officials are only now studying the issue, with a retail market analysis and development strategy being done in an effort to “showcase eclectic, innovative retailers that provide an unparalleled shopping experience.”

Royal Oak’s current problems only serve to highlight the excellent job Birmingham officials, notably the Principal Shopping District (PSD), have done in managing the mix in Birmingham’s downtown where occupancy rates are at an all time high.

Created by Public Act 146 in 1992, known as the Redevelopment of Shopping Areas Act, Birmingham’s PSD works hard to fulfill its mission, which is to provide leadership in marketing, advertising, and the promotion of the district, and to serve as a center for business, service, social, cultural and community activities. It is funded through a special assessment of all businesses in the downtown and near-downtown area, and in recent years the PSD board has also hired a dedicated leasing agent, Julie Fielder, to market the city to national and regional merchants across the country, with obvious positive results. Fielder works hard to promote Birmingham as a unique retail destination, and retailers like Paper Place, J. McLaughlin, lululemon, and soon, Alex and Ani,

have chosen to make downtown Birmingham their home thanks to this effort, which in turn draws other businesses who want to be part of this success story.

PSD Executive Director John Heiney works with merchants, businesses and city officials to create and promote events like the Birmingham Farmers Market, holiday events, Day on the Town, movie nights, Restaurant Week, along with snow removal on downtown city sidewalks, beautiful floral displays in the spring and summer, and holiday lights and displays. The PSD also coordinate with city-approved events like art fairs, bike fairs, parades, and other events to make sure Birmingham is not just a shopping and dining destination, but a community.

But the problems plaguing Royal Oak should resurrect discussions for Birmingham on the right balance between retail and restaurants, especially with new bistro license applications due to the Birmingham City Commission by October 1.

Royal Oak’s imbalance points out the importance of maintaining a strong retail presence in downtown Birmingham while enjoying the fruits of the bistro license, which has been in effect since 2007. Bistro licenses were developed as an economic incentive ordinance to revitalize the streets of downtown with an inexpensive liquor license for establishments with no more than 65 indoor seats, 10 of which must be at the bar, large street-side windows which open out, inviting the outside in, and outdoor dining, to create walkability and encourage people to dine while shopping. Restaurants in the central business district that have received bistro licenses include

Toast, Townhouse, Tallulah’s, Social, Elie’s, Cafe Via, Bella Piatti, Salvatore Scallopini, Luxe and Market North End. However, we believe the city commission recently has been lax in dispensing and transferring bistro licenses, as evidenced by their track record the last two years. Birmingham Sushi and What Crepe, both existing restaurants, were the recipients of the 2013 bistro licenses, which are generally capped at two per year. Neither ended up pursuing their approved license, with What Crepe going out of business, and Birmingham Sushi, after seeking the license for a few years, determining the license and its criteria was too expensive to attain. In 2014, one applicant approved to go ahead to the planning board, Debonair, for the former Baker’s Square location in the Triangle District, never moved forward. The other, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Shop, is yet to open, but they stated they were seeking the bistro license to offer mimosas at tea and brunch.

Yet, that was never the real purpose of the bistro ordinance, and just because they were the “best of the bunch” of the applicants did not make them a good choice.

There is nothing in the Birmingham bistro ordinance mandating that bistro licenses have to be given out each year, and with the downtown area at a saturation level, we believe it would be wise for the commission to utilize the licenses for 2015 as the economic incentive they were designed to be, and only give them out this year if qualified and exciting candidates come forward for the Rail or Triangle districts.

Wake-up call on the quality of our waters

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assive toxic algae blooms like the one this August that forced a ban on water to nearly half a million people in Ohio and part of southeast Michigan may have come as a shock to some people, but it shouldn’t.

The algae that covered part of western Lake Erie, particularly near Toledo, is a harmful blue-green algae. The toxic algae is particularly harmful to animals and people, as it releases microcystin, a toxin produced by the algae, when it dies. The toxin may remain in the water for months, and targets the liver of animals, as well as the skin, eyes and throat.

The algae can then get into public drinking water systems through water intake pipes – just like those used in the Detroit River and Lake Huron by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

This year’s massive algae bloom was the second largest of its kind, with about 2,000 square-miles of Lake Erie covered by the green goop in 2011. A smaller bloom occurred in 2012, but large coverings, such as this August’s bloom, can be expected to increase in frequency, according to a report issued last year by the National Wildlife Federation.

The report, “Taken By Storm: How Heavy Rain is Worsening Algal Blooms in Lake Erie,” states the

potential for more harmful blooms to occur is increasing as factors for algal blooms go unchecked.

Those factors are primarily linked to a high presence of phosphorous in the water, which come chiefly from fertilizer runoff, septic tank failures and animal waste. Phosphorous and other nutrients are washed into creeks, rivers and other tributaries of a lake during heavy rain events. Warm weather speeds the algae growth, and when conditions are right, results in massive growths, as the ones we have seen in recent years.

And while the shallowness of Lake Erie and the presence of nutrients coming from the Maumee River make that lake more susceptible to algae blooms than some of our other Great Lakes, the potential for harmful blooms is present in other areas, and has even closed down some of Oakland County’s smaller inland lakes in years past.

But conditions that breed algae blooms can be reversed. Limiting phosphorus and rain runoff is going to take a concerted effort by state and federal officials, as well as local governments. Officials with the Michigan Department of Resources last month pledged to work with farmers and municipal sewage treatment operators on preventing harmful blooms and state officials are reportedly pushing for federal

regulators to develop a drinking water standard for microcystin.

We have in past months reported on drinking water standards and potential contaminants that aren’t already being tested by municipal water departments, which currently test for about 114 of more than 300 potential contaminants, so algae blooms should not be the only concern for those in charge of safeguarding our surface and drinking water.

More than a decade ago, former Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John McCulloch floated the idea or requiring annual septic inspections, as well as inspections when homes were sold. There has also been a movement in the last decade by some local municipalities to set regulations on the use of fertilizers in landscape maintenance, which also contributes to degradation of inland waters and the Great Lakes thanks to the delicate interconnection of our river basins.

It is imperative that a regional group be developed – immediately – to work at reducing the amount of nutrients entering various waterbodies – from small lakes and streams to the Great Lakes – whether it’s through rain runoff filled with industrial and agricultural toxins or toxins created by residents in the region.

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