Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • HEALD: TOWNSEND HOTEL RUGBY GRILLE

L. BROOKS PATTERSON

POLITICS, THE PARTY, DETROIT, THE RECOVERY (HIS AND ECONOMY) THE EXODUS: DIFFERENT PATHS TO FABLED NORTHERN MICHIGAN ENDNOTE: LACK OF BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP ETHICS ORDINANCE

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Birmingham $699,000

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OPPORTUNITY

DOWNTOWN07.13

52

19 93

L. Brooks Patterson interview Oakland County Executive talks about his brush with death, future of the Republican party, Detroit bankruptcy and the fiscal recovery.

CRIME LOCATOR

15

Don't miss out on the 2010 Bordeaux wines, called “very powerful” by some.

AT THE TABLE

17: Prince Fielder

133

26: Theresa Flores

51: Ben Rosman/Aaron Siegel 91: Jack Aranson 117: Mickey Redmond

123: Rebecca Rosen

CITY/TOWNSHIP

136

Theater liquor rules lifted; pension obligation bonds sought; multi-modal back to drawing board; transitional zoning; K-9 rejected; new township retail/office complex; plus more

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.

146

Tower at play structure at Booth Park, Birmingham. Downtown photo/Austen Hohendorf.

DOWNTOWN P

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

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

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

DOWNTOWN

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

ENDNOTE

THE COVER

ACO; Bob Stern Building Company; Powerhouse Gym; IncWell LP; Studio H2G; Wasserman Projects; L'Uomo Vogue; M.T. Hunter; and 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.

What's new is new with the 25th anniversary of the Rugby Grille in Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

BUSINESS MATTERS

6

Biking clubs, local races and just recreational riding is on the upswing in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

132

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

125

The biking explosion

Both the affluentials and the middle class have fueled the northern Michigan area but the transition in not over.

FOCUS ON WINE

FACES

99

North Michigan Exodus

The need for ethics ordinances/boards in local governments; Bloomfield Township's pension obligation bonding efforts.

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.

07.13

Living Beautifully Beyond Four Walls

, , and Staff h my n y L , n le elpful wit and h d n Dear G a l u f eer ed eing so ch k with such a talent b s y a lw a ave a to wor u all for hen you h pleasure w Thank yo t a d e o r o g g a . It is Life is yn Duffy. landscape L s a r e n esig gracious d ine to enjoy. em rst started to fi e garden lik w n e tion 5, wh since 199 as been your atten tinues d e g n a h con nt h have c ne consta e has evolved and o A lot may t u b r, e room scap ogeth my living . My land working t d m r o a r y f y w olor m ie ail in cope of c ar. The v s e o y id h c le every det a a r e k y couch o me more changing m t r h e m g v li o e r e f n d a to is view x. such joy. It nd I can enjoy the e m s ce to rela g la in p r t A b c e r. f a r e e ap ut the y garden is y m througho ; a e r e a sitting ine was th m t a h t out in the e tell m and ntinue to r ’s house o a c e y le t p s o la e at I had a it that p rden on h a t m g d g m a e t in s h t m u ll Im elco d te am. nd most w up” with pride an a t s ie tt a good te e e r k ff p a u m p “ e I think w ur and garden to om Four Seasons. I fr family for s n o s a e lot of help S our with my F g in k r o w orward to Looking f rs. many yea

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Photos © Gene Meadows

Offices in Birmingham, Oak Park and Traverse City

By Appointment 248.543.4400 fourseasonsgardencenter.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER

N

ews editor Lisa Brody's interview in this edition with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is certainly recommended reading.

In characteristic style, Patterson candidly talks about a variety of topics, ranging from his health status following a major car accident, to his disagreement with the current Lansing Republican leadership which is trying to trim even further the medical protection for state residents, problems within the GOP affecting the party's ability to attract voters, and a host of other issues.

What I find most interesting is his observations about the city of Detroit, which he thinks is destined to file bankruptcy. Patterson aptly observes that the problems of the city will not be solved by a bankruptcy filing. Instead, he says Detroit must change the way it does business and further notes that any revival will be hampered by poor quality schools and the issue of public safety in the city.

Without a doubt, Detroit, or at least certain portions of the city, appears to be going through a much touted revival, thanks in large part to the private initiative of Dan Gilbert of Rock Financial and other business leaders who have either made real estate acquisitions, moved their companies downtown or, along with some foundations, have helped underwrite a number of projects, chief among them the coming mass transit project which will be starting soon.

The Midtown area of the city continues to attract the entrepreneurs and small businesses, along with the creative class of Generation Y/Millennials that most social observers feel is necessary to bring back the core of an urban area. Now we are seeing larger, more established companies relocate from the suburbs to downtown Detroit.

What we are witnessing in Detroit is happening now or has taken place dating back over a decade in other urban areas of the country, ranging from parts of lower Manhattan, Williamson County Tennessee, Durham North Carolina, to name a few, although public policy has generally been blended with private initiative in most other places because other urban municipalities do not face the major challenges confronting the city of Detroit government.

What we won't know for another year or two is whether the

Millennials will continue moving into the Midtown portion of Detroit now that housing has become more scarce and rents are now approaching what you would pay in some of the neighboring suburbs, like Royal Oak. Affordable housing is a necessary ingredient to attract the younger class.

But Brooks Patterson has also hit on two other necessary elements if the current Detroit revival is to continue with its momentum – education and public safety.

Millennials are often characterized as the generation that not only grew up with the comforts of suburban living but also with at least the perception of a safe environment, whether or not crime statistics always bear that out. This younger generation is considered less fearful of cities and urban cores and certainly is more adventurous. But like all generations that came before them, as they grow older and think in terms of raising children, they will want good schools, sorely lacking in Detroit at this time and in the foreseeable future. Generation Y may find that it has to just leave the city to find preferable education opportunities.

Likewise with public safety. Right now one would think the Midtown area is being given special attention by Detroit police and some have indicated that Wayne State University's public safety force has considered responding to calls beyond its normal geographical coverage area. But the fact remains that the crime rate in the city could prove a deterrent beyond a certain level of revival.

Patterson has other interesting observations on a variety of topics in this issue and, having known him since the start of his career as Oakland County Prosecutor, I have always found him a straight shooter when asked his thoughts on issues pertaining to government and politics. The interview in this issue of Downtown upholds that tradition. And there is no doubt that his long tenure of successful government leadership in Oakland County gives him a ringside seat to make these observations.

Whether you always agree with him or not, your time would be well spent with this interview.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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INCOMING Bonding without vote Something is wrong with our system of government when a township can decide without a public vote to more than double it's current debt load. Bloomfield Township is such a case where soon they will issue $85,000,000 (not a typo) of bonds to help fund the township's pension plan. That amounts to over $6,000 per household to pay for a benefit that few in the private sector will ever see.

Pensions and other overly generous retirement benefits granted to public employees are putting a strain on budgets and crowd out other more pressing needs.

I would like to see an end to defined benefit pension plans in place of 401k type plans for ALL municipal employees. The problem is, this will never happen due to union power and the fact they help fund the elections of the very ones they in turn "negotiate" with for these benefits.

Rod J. Myers, Bloomfield Township

Approve of bond The United Homeowners Association recently allowed me to sit in on their meeting with Bloomfield Township employees devoted to the proposal to fund the defined benefit pension plan trust fund for pre-2005 employees using a new $85 million bond issue.

A large increase in our unfunded pension obligation came to light by acknowledging the experience of lower returns of recent years. Prior estimates were based on a return of about 7 percent. The new estimate is 5.25 percent. The increased liability also reflects the longer expected life of retirees based on new 2010 census mortality tables. The resulting estimate of percent funded went from

about 82 percent to about 61 percent, with an unfunded liability of $120 million.

The township is legally required to honor its pension commitments. The actions being proposed by the township to honor the commitments does not increase that obligation to the retirees, but it does restructure the form of the commitment. Without the proposed $85 million bonding (and investing the resulting funds), the township would need to contribute about $10 million each year from the general fund to support the pension trust fund – up from a previous expense of about $5.2 million a year. It is forecast the township will need to spend about $6 million a year to service the proposed bonds – an increase of about $800,000 a year over prior pension fund contribution expenses. The pension trust fund (having received title to the assets purchased by the bonds) will be fully funded immediately. The $120 million unfunded obligation will be replaced by an $85 million bond. The bond will cost $85 million, plus about $35 million in interest over its 20 year life.

The township expects it will be able to contain the annual expense of about $6 million to retire the bond within the current level of taxation.

There is no plan to increase the millage rate within the present limit. If there were to be a need to increase the millage rate or to increase the authorized limit, a taxpayer vote would have to be conducted.

The key assumptions about rates seem to me to be that the expected rate of return on the mix of assets currently in the pension trust fund is 5.25 percent. The expected rate of return for the enhanced pension fund is 6.25 percent due to the larger share of assets expected to be held in equities (as opposed to fixed rate

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.

investments). The interest on the bonds is expected to be about 3.95 percent.

Because the assets will be in the pension trust fund, any improvement (higher yield or appreciation of assets) will accrue to the pension trust fund, but the Township would be able to reduce their annual contribution were the fund to be over-funded. In addition, the bonds will be callable.

John Roach, Bloomfield Township

Railroad District I agree as stated in your (Endnote) "Don't forget importance of Rail District" (May 20313/Downtown) that a bistro there would be desirable and I have the perfect name for it: "East of Eton."

Mary Kathleen Juntunen, Bloomfield Hills

Child killer family concerns After the (Christopher) Busch photograph was made public, it is surprising the number of people who have contacted us with the information that he tried to pick them up [both males and females] when they were younger. If we got this many calls, how may more did the

cops receive? Furthermore, Busch admitted to doing in more than 30 boys before January 28, 1977. This many kids were abused without one angry parent going public?

Both men and women have come forward - to me, my Dad and a reporter - to say that after seeing Busch's photo, that Busch attempted to lure them and/or abduct them. One woman, whom I completely believe, says that after she saw Busch's photos, it sickened her to the point of near incapacity because it was the person she saw driving a car with a little boy in the passenger seat who she is convinced was my brother on March 22, 1977, in the hours before his body was found by a roadside in Livonia. She called police immediately after arriving at her destination that day.

And, I am guessing angry parents kept their mouths shut when, like the GM employee whose daughter was flashed by Chris Busch on Mohegan during the Oakland County Child Killer era, they decided somebody like H. Lee (Busch's father) could crush them if they made a stink. And what about the kids who did press charges against Busch? The ones who got hosed over a second time when, after they suffered the humiliation of detailing their treatment by Busch, the prosecutors and judges let Mr. Rogers/Model Citizen/Chris Busch walk with probation and a promise to keep seeing his local psychiatrist.

That shrink would have been required by law to come forward in today's world. Cathy Broad, Naperville, IL (Editor's note: Cathy Board is the sister of Timothy King, the fourth and last child killed by the Oakland county Child Killer in 1977. Busch is considered by the family to be the killer and committed suicide in November 1978.)

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836 LAKEVIEW BIRMINGHAM Located on a great street, this home was expanded and renovated in 1997. Four bedroom and 2.2 baths. New listing. $749,900

602 RIVERSIDE BIRMINGHAM Fabulous lot backing to woods. Private community in heart of Birmingham. Design your dream home. Lot Price. $699,900

2022 HAZEL BIRMINGHAM 2005 built condo, one of the largest units in Eton Street Station. Commercial space option on main level. Two car side by side attached garage. $624,900

1407 COLE ST BIRMINGHAM To be built by HM Homes. Three bedrooms and 2.1 baths. Two car garage. High end finishes and quality throughout. Call for more details. $499,900

22491 N. NOTTINGHAM BEVERLY HILLS To be listed on July 1. Wonderful Nottingham Forest colonial. Beautiful lot with an inground pool. $499,900

1376 HUMPHREY BIRMINGHAM To be built by HM Homes. Three bedrooms and 2.1 baths. Two car garage. High end finishes and quality throughout. Call for more details. $489,900

1823 YORKSHIRE BIRMINGHAM Four bedroom colonial on a great 80 foot wide lot in Birmingham Estates. Two car attached garage.

Nice patio and sport court in backyard. $424,900

18760 WALMER LN BEVERLY HILLS Move-in ready 4 BR colonial on a nice lot in Beverly Hills Estates Sub. Updated kitchen. Neighborhood connects to Beverly Park. $364,900

2350 SCOTCH PINE WEST BLOOMFIELD Three bedroom, 2 bath ranch with Bloomfield schools. Pine Lake priveleges includes boat slip option. Finished basement. $349,900 or $2,500/mo

508 OAKLAND BIRMINGHAM Walk to both downtown Birmingham and Poppleton Park. Expanded 3BR, 2 bath bungalow is move-in ready. $324,900

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through June 20, 2013.

Placement of codes is approximate.

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260 Guilford | Bloomfield Hills | $1,999,990

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240 Ravine | Birmingham | $449,900

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FACES

Prince Fielder

B

orn in California and raised in Michigan, Texas and Florida, Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder played baseball at almost every level before signing a nine-year contract with the Tigers in 2012.

“I was born in California but we moved right away. We moved to Las Colinas which is in Irving, Texas. We grew up there. I got to come to the field with my dad all the time. It was a pretty good childhood,” he said.

Fielder attended Saint Edwards School, Florida Air Academy and Eau Gallie High School in Florida where baseball was naturally one of his favorite sports. “I like basketball too, but I realized 5-foot, 11-inches is not going to work out, so I had to give that up quick,” he said.

“My first years, I went to military school which seemed kind of weird at first but they had a good baseball team, so that helped me go there. It kind of helped me grow up, standing at attention and saying yes sir, no ma'am and everything like that. It really helped. At first I didn't like it, but now that I'm an adult and I have kids myself, it really did help me grow up.”

In 2002, Fielder was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers and began his professional baseball career. “It was a lot of fun because all the players I got to the big leagues with were in the minor leagues with me. Everybody got older and all our kids grew up together, the guys who had kids. We were a good team. Starting in the spring, we always knew we had a chance to go to the playoffs, but we were still kind of the underdogs.”

Fielder said playing for the Detroit Tigers is completely different. “I've got

the experience of going to the playoffs with them, but here we're not (the underdogs). We're supposed to win, so I think given the experience of going to the playoffs and then coming here knowing you're supposed to win can help you relax knowing that it's not any extra pressure, because you've been in the playoffs. It's just a little more fun because you know you're not the team that might win, you're the team that should win.”

A family man and father of two, his sons Jadyn and Haven are his source of motivation and his greatest accomplishment in life. “They skateboard, they do everything I wish I could have done. I just didn't know how to.

They're really cool,” he said. “They always like coming (to the ballpark) and they always wish me luck every day when I call them. They support me by just loving me. That's all I ask for.”

Birmingham residents Fielder and his wife Chanel enjoy living downtown.

“It's quiet, but there's stuff to do. It's not too fast or too crazy and it's relaxing, plus I like just walking around. I like walking around the neighborhood saying hi to people and eating ice cream at Sweet Earth,” he said.

“I just like to stay healthy and be able to play every day for as long as I can. As far as the team: just win the World Series. Just win one. You have to win one before you win two, so I'll try to win one and see where it goes from there.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Mark Cunningham/Detroit Tigers

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07.13

Northern Michigan was originally winter hunting grounds for Native Americans, who were the first inhabitants of the area. They were followed by French fur trappers who had great success with prized mink and beaver pelts. Lumberjacks followed the fur trappers and traders, lured by the white pines and hard woods of the land. Fertile grasslands became fruitful and profitable farms. Ultimately, the railroads built to transport lumber, furs, and produce south began to bring wealthy businessmen and their families north from Chicago and Detroit, affluent businessmen and their families seeking to escape the urban heat in the summers, drawn by the natural beauty of the topography, Lake Michigan and smaller inland lakes, and resort towns grew and beckoned. Later, as a blue collar middle class grew and gained a foothold in the last century, their aspirations for second homes permitted them to purchase cottages along northern inland lakes. As they retired in middle age from grinding factory jobs, many of them retired to those cottages, ultimately changing the economic and political landscape of northern Michigan.

Today, as the affluent from downstate, and now points farther away, continue to enjoy Up North as a resort destination, the area has seen its fortunes fluctuate with the economic ups and downs of the automobile industry. Today, as the auto industry is enjoying a nascent recovery, so too is the northern Michigan real estate market.

“When the car business went south, that was almost like turning off a switch. It was pretty abrupt,” said Mark Hagan of Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City, noting that from 2008 to 2012, the real estate market in northern Michigan was off. Interestingly, he said, the void began to be filled by buyers from Cleveland, Columbus and Chicago. “As the world gets smaller online, Traverse City gets known globally. (Last year's) Good Morning America's piece on Traverse City being one of the most beautiful places in the world really raised interest.”

It is estimated by Emmet County, home of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor, that approximately 30 percent of the homes in the county are second homes. Grand Traverse County and Charlevoix counties' equalization departments do not keep records of primary versus second (or third) homes, but both departments estimate that their counties are probably consistent with Emmet County. Each county has different millage rates for homestead (primary residence) and non-homestead (non-primary) residences. In the city of Petoskey, the 2012 millage rate for a homestead was 34.5194 mills; nonhomestead was 52.5194 mills. Traverse City's 2012 millage rate for a homestead was 36.1058 mills; non-homestead, 54.1058 mills. Charlevoix's 2012 homestead millage rate was 33.2806, with non-homestead homeowners paying 51.2806 mills.

Debra Chavez, Charlevoix city assessor, said they expect the 2013 millage rate to remain fairly consistent, as it has been for the last several years.

Hagan said that during the Great Recession the second and third home market got hit worse than the primary home market. “It got hit from the top down. Those people were the ones with the most to lose. They got incredibly hurt with the financial markets,” he said. Now, however, after seeing some market improvements in the fall of 2012, “it hasn't slowed down since. We're selling in every price point. There are two Up Norths. The lower you go in the market, the hotter it is. In the half million dollars and up, the condos and waterfront homes, they're coming from all over, from California and Texas. I even sold a third home to couple in France who found us online.”

But the most significant upswing in the market “is in the under $300,000 market, especially for second homes,” Hagan said. “I'm busier than ever before. Prices are still soft, but things are selling. In this market, we're seeing improvements in the lower price point market, and it's working its way up.

We're surrounded by inland lakes, so there are so many waterfront opportunities at many price points.”

He noted that many people looking at lower-priced cottages “have been circling their wagons, and kept saying next year, next year. Many of our recent sales have been with people we've been working with for four to five years. I think if they could have bought then, they would have.”

Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Harbor Springs have been desirable resort towns for well over 100 years. Charlevoix, named for Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, a French explorer of the Great Lakes, was initially settled by fishermen who were there to enjoy its location nestled between Lake Michigan, Round Lake, and Lake Charlevoix, by 1852. It was incorporated as a village in 1879.

Around 1838, the state of Michigan had begun to build the Southern Railroad, running from Monroe on Lake Erie to Buffalo on Lake Michigan. In 1846, the partially completed line was sold to Michigan Southern Rail Road, which changed the final stop to Chicago, and it opened in 1852. By 1856,

there was regular rail transportation between Chicago and Detroit, and by the late 1870s, from Chicago to northern Michigan.

In the 1880s, Charlevoix became an affluent resort destination when several professors from the University of Chicago formed the Chicago Club Summer Home association. Soon, it was joined by two others, the Belvedere Club and Sequanota Club, and a number of summer hotels catering to affluent travelers. Charlevoix, situated on both Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix, also became a popular destination for passenger liners, such as the Manitou, Alabama and others.

C

harlevoix remained a popular hangout for gang members from the Chicago area when the Colonial Club, a restaurant and gambling joint, became known for the Midwest's powerful and influential movers and shakers. However, a murder aboard a converted lumber barge which had been serving as a blind pig and speakeasy as it sailed nightly between Charlevoix and Boyne City forced its closure.

During the 1950s through the 1980s there was a decline in Charlevoix as a premier resort destination, as its lumber manufacturing base evaporated, the train lines to the city stopped operating, and the larger tourists hotels went out of business. The private resort clubs remained their bastions of exclusivity, with those belonging continuing to “summer”, year after year.

“It's my favorite place in the world,” Jim Holmes says of his home in the Chicago Club, “and probably because it's so short.” Holmes, who alleges he is a “newcomer” because he will only be spending his 51st summer there this year, grew up there with his parents and brothers. “There are some who have been here eight generations.” He and his wife Kathy, who also live in Bloomfield Village and Palm Beach Gardens, have their own home in the club among 30 homes and the 128-year old clubhouse. They enjoy spending July and August, as well as New Year's Eve, in Charlevoix. Another brother also has a home, while a second brother is busy with younger children and has yet to purchase a home.

Holmes acknowledges that the houses, a five minute walk from town, are a huge commitment to maintain, and “a lot of the younger generation can't move up there for the whole summer. Last year, we lost five men, including my dad, of the old-timers. In a 30-cottage community, that's a lot.” Many of the homes are 100-plus years old, and while beautiful and charming, require a great deal of maintenance and winterizing. Holmes built his house from new 12 years ago on the grounds, “but for most, you're dealing with old structures.” Cottage is a relative word. The homes range in size from 2,500 square feet to 6,000 square feet, with a range of prices. Dues are about $16,000 a year, which include a clubhouse with Saturday and Sunday dinners, a private beach and dock on Lake Charlevoix, four tennis courts, and an island in the lake.

“We have a common beach where at 4 p.m., everyone goes down and rendezvous. On Wednesdays, we have docktails at the end of the dock, and there are sailboat races. On Sundays, we have hymn sings, from our Baptist roots, at the clubhouse,” he explained.

When Holmes' two children, now adults living in Florida, were young, he would drive up every weekend from Bloomfield to spend time with them and Kathy, who would spend the summers in Charlevoix. He notes that today, “there's a direct flight from LaGuardia to Traverse City. There's a lot of people on the east coast from Michigan who want to spend the summers Up North.”

He notes, with irony, that every Thanksgiving and Christmas was once spent in Charlevoix with generations of family, as well as ski weekends.

“Now, as adults living in Florida, it's hard to get them up to Bloomfield Hills, much less in a car for four hours.”

“When I was growing up, there were a lot of kids there, and when we had kids, there were lots of kids, but now it's quiet. There's the problems of work and/or the cost,” he noted. “People are spread out, and they can't afford, or don't want, to take the time to spend the summer Up North.”

The club is actively recruiting new members, among friends of friends.

New members now come not only from the Chicago and metro Detroit area, but from the Cincinnati area, Washington D.C., and a woman from Napa Valley.

In 1741, Little Traverse Bay, where Harbor Springs and Petoskey are now nestled, the Ottawa tribe settled at L'Arbre Croche, which included areas

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along the shoreline from Cross Village to Seven Mile Point. But treaties with Native Americans and the Homestead Act in 1875 opened up the land to public sale and brought a huge influx of white people to northern Michigan.

According to the Little Traverse Township Master Plan, in 1875, the area had 150 white settlers; in 1880, there were 6,640.

The rail line which brought settlers and visitors to Charlevoix originally ended in Petoskey, to the north of Charlevoix. “The growing community of Little Traverse took it upon themselves to encourage the railroad company to extend the line to their community,” according to the Little Traverse Township Master Plan. “This extension was completed in 1880, helping both the logging industry and the resort/tourist industry to flourish.” The railroad extended its lines all the way to Harbor Springs.

“The resort industry started booming as soon as land was available and access was possible. The first of these resorts in Little Traverse was Harbor Point in 1875,” the master plan said, where some from Birmingham, Bloomfield, and Grosse Pointe continue to summer, and today continues to not permit any motorized vehicles from July until Labor Day, and guests must be invited into the community of homes.

David Smith of Bloomfield Township said he used to visit his uncle, Mark Smith of Grosse Pointe, who “has had a cottage there since the 1960s. That's how I fell in love with the place.”

At 27, before he married Shelly, with whom he has three adult children and a grandchild on the way, he took over Wilderness Valley golf resort in Gaylord, “and I knew I would be spending summers Up North, so I bought a little cottage in Harbor Springs and joined the Little Harbor Club,” he said.

In 1987, he and Shelly heard a three-story home was available in Harbor Point, and they bought it – sight unseen. “They come available so infrequently, everyone just grabs what comes available,” Smith said. “They don't care how they look, and then they fall in love with them.”

Today, the home he calls “just a cottage to us,” overlooks both Little Traverse Bay and the harbor of Harbor Springs. While it has heat, it is not winterized. They spend their summers in the cottage. “We haven't renovated it. We like it the way it is. It's one of the first ones built on the point. It was built in 1885, before there were inside refrigerators, when kitchens were an afterthought,” he said, noting the small kitchen is on the ground floor of their three-story home.

“The next resort to develop, in 1878, was the resort of Wequetonsing.

'Weque', as locals call it, was developed after two reverends visited the area looking for a place where 'worn out and sweltering humanity could recover and enjoy rational recreations,” the Little Traverse Master Plan said. Today, the 80-acre private resort on the bay with private beaches, where homes are often sold within families or to friends, has a companion private golf course.

Sailing regattas from “Weque” can be seen in the bay throughout the summer.

A more recent – if 40 or 50 years old is more recent – resort development outside Harbor Springs overlooking Little Traverse Bay is L'Arbre Croche, named after the first Ottawa settlement in the area over 350 years ago. “It was originally developed by my uncle and Bob Leland, about 40 years ago,” said Susan Aikens Post of Birmingham. She said her great-grandfather, who was with the railroads, originally had land on the water in Algonac, in St. Clair County, where a large home, still standing, was built. “My uncle sold the property, and there's now four condos there. My cousin bought the boathouse from her father and is going to renovate it.

“We started to go to Harbor Springs because of skiing,” Post continued.

“My dad wanted to go there, and we were going to Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands in the winter for skiing, when traditionally people had been going Up North in the summers. Sometimes we would rent at Wequetonsing or Menonaqua (Beach Club, in Harbor Springs). Then some Birmingham/Bloomfield guys and some Grosse Pointe guys got the development (L'Arbre Croche) going, and purchased the land.”

Located on the easternmost tip of Little Traverse Bay between Harbor Springs and Petoskey, the community consists of homes, condominiums, and still has a few remaining home sites. It resides next to Petoskey State Park in a gated year-round community with sand dunes and its own beaches.

“The difference between L'Arbre Croche and some other communities, like Wequetonsing, is there is no grass land, no paint is allowed on the houses, only stains. It's about melding with nature. It's supposed to be a vacation from lawns and gardens,” Post said. A childhood filled with winters skiing and summers of lobster bakes every year on the beach are fond memories, but she and her husband have not bought there – yet, finding the summer-long commitment too difficult for her and her family.

South of Grand Traverse County, but along the Pere Marquette rail line

from Chicago to the north, developed a vacation and retirement community for affluent African Americans in Yates Township, outside of Baldwin, called Idlewild. Founded in 1912, it was one of few resorts in the United States where African Americans were allowed to vacation and purchase property prior to 1964. It represented s symbol of social and economic status for many black Americans.

“It developed because there was no where to go if you were black in a resort area,” said Sam Simpson, a Detroit attorney whose grandmother first purchased a home in Idlewild. “I have been going there since I was three. It was a summer vacation resort. It was a wonderful experience, completely self-contained around a beautiful lake that was always referred to as Idlewild Lake.”

Surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, it was called the “Black Eden” from 1912 through the mid-1960s, when it was an active year-round community which was frequented and visited by well-known entertainers and professionals from around the country. At its peak, it was the most popular resort in all of the Midwest, with as many as 25,000 people coming to Idlewild in the height of the summer season to camp, swim, boat, fish, hunt, ride horses, roller skate and enjoy night time entertainment, including Chicagoan Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the first man, white or black, to successfully operate on a human heart. The 1964 Civil Rights Act opened up other resorts to African Americans, and Idlewild's popularity waned.

“Idlewild's history is the history of what it meant to have a resort all your own,” Simpson said. He recalls seeing Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker, Della Reese, The Four Tops, T-Bone Walker, Jackie Wilson, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Fats Waller, Sarah Vaughan and many other notable African American entertainers play there.

“All the black musicians played there, because they could stay there. It was self-contained. It was marvelous. They could play Las Vegas, but they couldn't stay there,” he explained.

Idlewild was populated with historic black figures and activists, as well as professionals, doctors and lawyers who purchased one of the 100-plus cottages rimming the lake. “People have built and rebuilt these cottages,” Simpson said, noting that his sons and grandchildren currently go to Idlewild, which is upgrading now, after years of decline, and putting in a sewer system around the lake. “But the structure is not the significant reason I continue to go there. (Besides friends), it's because of the history and the fun I had there. It's a place my mother left me.”

While the wealthy and affluent inhabited certain locales in northern Michigan, more rural areas became popular for second homes over the last half century as a working class grew into a fiscal middle class, with available money, and time, for cabins and cottages Up North. For decades in the 20th century, it was considered a given that the automobile industry, particularly a job at General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler, was a ticket into the middle class.

L

ong considered the thermometer of labor in the U.S., the United Auto Workers (UAW) led the push for higher wages and greater benefits as the U.S. economy grew after World War II. The UAW pioneered a formula for tying wage increases to productivity gains which assured workers the ability to receive regular pay increases during the 1950s and 1960s, and there was a term known as “30 and out”, meaning they worked for 30 years and retired with generous pensions and full health care benefits.

“We created the middle class in America,” said Olen Ham, one of the few surviving members of the 1937 “sit-down” strike in Flint, Michigan, which won the first union contract with GM. Later contracts helped provide vacations, pension benefits and health care, college educations for their children, homes and second homes.

“The combination of high wages and high productivity was one of the keys to the 20th century American economy,” noted Harley Shaiken, a labor expert from the University of California-Berkeley. He said much of America's post-World War II-affluence was rooted in the high prosperity that resulted from the assembly line created by Henry Ford.

As Dr. Mark J. Perry, a University of Michigan economics and finance professor stated, “a UAW assembler earned 91 percent more in monetary wages than the average worker in the manufacturing sector, and a UAW

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“In the 20th century, there developed a mass middle class in Michigan.

Michigan really invented it, and it fundamentally changed northern Michigan,” noted Lou Glazer of Michigan First, a think tank. “The affluent managerial class moved along the coast, primarily the western coast of Lake Michigan, while the blue collar middle class moved along the inland lakes and to Lake Huron. It was a real east versus west coast issue.”

Glazer notes that in the 21st century, there is no longer a mass middle class. “The good wages are gone. There's a different impact going forward.

They're either spending less, or they're not going Up North,” he said. “But those from the professional and managerial classes, they will continue to do well.”

John Klemanski, a political science professor at Oakland University, sees an uneasiness developing out of this dichotomy. “Beyond the clash of cultures, there is an uneasiness as certain kinds of properties are being bought by wealthy developers,” he said. “Those properties owned by autoworkers, well, they lost their legacy costs.”

Previously, GM, Ford and Chrysler workers were paid $28 per hour, but since bankruptcy and restructuring hit GM and Chrysler, with Ford matching wages, new workers now start at $14 per hour with modest health care benefits and no pensions, according UAW contract information. That leaves little left over for second homes, much less a primary residence.

Another issue which has hit northern Michigan, particularly the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Inside Michigan Politicts' Bill Ballenger explains, is “it continues to hemorrhage people, especially young people. It's now a lot of old people, which makes the UP now very Republican, when it used to be very Democratic. As recently as the Great Depression, 80 to 30 years ago, it was Democratic.”

Ballenger points out that the western Upper Peninsula was always unionized mining industry, “like Detroit, it was unionized. But the mines closed, and the union workers died, or came downstate, or moved out of state. They don't live there anymore.”

Until 1964, the Upper Peninsula commanded two congressional districts. “Now, the first congressional district consists of the entire Upper Peninsula and down the west side of the state, including Traverse City, down to Benzie County. For the first time in history, the population of that district south of the bridge is bigger than all of the UP. It shows how the UP has emptied out,” Ballenger said.

He said that is true for other parts of the blue collar, middle class northern Michigan.

“The UAW people, when they went Up North, they built their second homes while working, and more than the wealthy, they made these their permanent homes. Many affluent people, their northern homes are just vacation homes, or now it's their Michigan home and they winter in Florida, but they don't vote there,” Ballenger said. “In Ogamaw County, for example, which is where West Branch is, it used to be Republican, like the rest of rural Michigan. But about 30 years ago, that changed to Democratic, and that's still true.”

However, he sees that changing.

“Some of those retirees have died, or have moved south,” he observed.

He also sees the growth in northern Michigan of those who aren't Democrats, and are more conservative. “The Republicans are starting to win back some areas. “Between 2010 and 2012, there was only one Democrat (state congressman) left north of Townline 16, which runs eastwest between Bay City and Muskegon.”

He notes that future demographic trends do not bode well for union members, northern Michigan as a place for their second homes, or Democrats in Michigan.

“The UAW and unions have been losing population, and there's a real question about the size and scope of their membership,” Ballenger said.

“We've seen the crest of Democrat and union control 20 to 30 years ago.

They've been receding ever since. Maybe there's also been a change in people's thinking, but it's not looking good for Democrats in northern Michigan, which is not a huge portion of the (state's) population right now.”

That may not be any consolation as you find yourself in a traffic jam on your way Up North this summer but it does give one pause as the make-up of this popular vacation area continues to evolve. downtownpublications.com

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heresa Flores was blackmailed into a sex trafficking ring when she was a 15-year-old girl living in Birmingham. She survived two years as the victim of human trafficking. Flores escaped and after healing, began sharing her harrowing experience.

“My dad was a big executive. We got transferred every two years so I was used to that. It was hard because I was always the new kid. I didn't have any family around like aunts and uncles, nobody that would notice changes in me or be there for me to talk to,” she said.

Flores and her family had moved from Flushing, Michigan to Birmingham and she had just begun her freshman year of high school at Groves.

“It started off good because it was very multicultural and I really liked that and embraced it,” she said. “I was targeted by a group of guys at my school who were older than me,” and accepted a ride home one day after school.

“He ended up taking me to his home and drugged me and raped me and the other guys there were taking pictures and blackmailing me.”

For two long years, Flores was blackmailed with the photos and forced to work as a prostitute in Birmingham, while simultaneously attending high school with the group. “My worst moment was being left for dead in a Detroit hotel,” she said.

“I was able to escape it. It was a miracle that we got transferred away from there without any of my friends knowing. I did my senior year of high

school a thousand miles away and was able to heal and get counseling.”

Flores studied social work at Ball State University and got her master's degree in counseling education from the University of Dayton. “It took me about 20 years before I realized that I wasn't the only one that something like this happened to.” She began speaking out and wrote two books, “The Sacred Bath” and “The Slave Across The Street” to share her story.

“I realized speaking out wasn't enough,” she said. Flores founded Traffickfree, an organization focused on building awareness through S.O.A.P. (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution), an outreach program which distributes free bars of soap with the National Sex Trafficking Hotline number on them at high-risk motels and large events like the Super Bowl.

With the support of her fiance, children and siblings, Flores says she feels more love and support now than she ever has in her life.

She continues her work today in Cleveland, Ohio, with her third book coming out this September. “Hopefully, next year a movie will be coming out about the book so there's a lot of exciting things.”

She eventually hopes to become a professor and be at the forefront of human trafficking advocacy. “I really want to be the leader of this issue and be the spokeswomen and show people that this has lots of faces to it and it's an epidemic. I really want to drive that home to people that this is happening at every zip code.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Jim Shively / Larry Phillips photography

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Amazing detail and craftsmanship!

Cul-de-sac lot on a .84 acre private wooded setting in Northville. Four staircases, five fireplaces, Shoenbeck crystal chandeliers, custom Bertch cabinetry, two-story great room, spacious family room off kitchen with exposed beams and cathedral ceiling, executive study with judges paneling and coffered ceiling, first floor master bedroom, phenomenal finished lower level with media room (2009), new bar (2008), game room, wine cellar, extra room, craft room, second office, 2x6 construction, Pella windows, indoor pool and spa, new roof tear-off (2010). WOW! $1,500,000 (213052435)

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Picturesque setting in gated community... ...in Oakland Township. Vacation at home on private 1.7 acres with in-ground pool, hot tub, gazebo and winding brick and stone walkways. Finished walk out basement with: dual staircases, game room, bar/kitchen, exercise room, gathering area, full bath and bedroom. Open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan, high ceilings, marble and hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, huge bedrooms and all with walk-in closets and access to baths. Oversized four-car garage. $1,190,000 (213018404)

Celebrating Home

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Your luxury lakefront oasis awaits!

No need to drive north to enjoy all the amenities of lakefront living at its finest. This gorgeous home with spectacular views is detailed to the fullest. Venetian plaster walls, coved ceilings, crown molding and molding detail throughout, marble, stone, ceramic, hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, spacious rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and luxurious carpeting. Entertaining kitchen with top-of-the line appliances and oversized custom made marble island. Awake lakeside in your master suite with dream bath, jetted tub and designer walk-in closet. Bedrooms 2 & 3 with custom built-ins share a Jack-n-Jill bath and the 4th bedroom has a study nook. The lower level with wet bar and rec room is perfect for family fun. Guest room with private bath, massive storage area and closets, exercise room, and walkout doorwall to the lake complete the lower level. Gorgeous sunset views abound. $1,400,000 (213036361)

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Custom lakefront masterpiece!

More than one acre lakefront with 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; footage on all-sports White Lake. More than 5,000 VTXDUH IHHW RI OLYLQJ VSDFH 2SHQ Ă&#x20AC;RRU SODQ ZLWK VSDFLRXV JUHDW URRP GLQLQJ URRP DQG JRXUPHW NLWFKHQ WKDW DOO ERDVW VSHFWDFXODU ODNH YLHZV .LWFKHQ GHWDLOV LQFOXGH $PHULFDQ FKHUU\ FXVWRP FDELQHWV VRDSVWRQH FRXQWHUV DQG IRRW LVODQG :ROI VL[ EXUQHU UDQJH 7KHUPDGRU GRXEOH RYHQV LQFK .LWFKHQ$LG UHIULJHUDWRU )LUVW Ă&#x20AC;RRU PDVWHU VXLWH LQFUHGLEO\ ÂżQLVKHG ZDONRXW HOHYDWRU WKUHH FDU JDUDJH

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Celebrating Home

FEZP FRP

Compo built lakefront home!

(QHUJ\ VWDU UDWHG *UHHQ 2DN KRPH ZLWK ORZ XWLOLW\ ELOOV /DNHIURQW ZLWK EHDFK DQG 7UH[ GHFN Ă&#x20AC;RDWLQJ VWDLUFDVHV PDUEOH DQG FURVV FXW JUDLQ RDN Ă&#x20AC;RRUV GLQLQJ URRP DQG JUHDW URRP ZLWK YDXOWHG FHLOLQJV ÂżUVW Ă&#x20AC;RRU PDVWHU ZLWK WUD\ FHLOLQJ (XURSHDQ VKRZHU KHDGV UDGLDQW KHDWHG Ă&#x20AC;RRUV LQ IR\HU KDOOZD\ PDVWHU EDWK NLWFKHQ DQG ORZHU OHYHO 7KUHH FDU JDUDJH ZLWK VWDLUV WR ORZHU OHYHO DQG EDVHPHQW XQGHU JDUDJH ,QGRRU SRRO ÂżQLVKHG ZDONRXW ORZHU OHYHO ZLWK IDPLO\ URRP ÂżUHSODFH SXE VW\OH ZHW EDU ZRUNRXW URRP EDWK *UDQLWH WKURXJKRXW &LUFXODU GULYH DFUH QDWXUDO VSULQJ IHG ODNH canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move? Think again!

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FEZP FRP

A very special home... ...located in the heart of Quarton Lake Estates, tastefully renovated with unparalleled quality. From the gourmet kitchen to the inviting screened porch, perfect for family living/gracious entertaining. Thoughtful design provides ample storage and offers fabulous bedroom suites. Second bedroom has private studio space, third bedroom offers a study nook. Lower level with family room and a 600 bottle capacity wine cellar. $949,000 (213053922)

Jennifer Zachary 248-212-4416 jzachary@cbwm.com

French inspired Birmingham Home... ...destined to be a landmark home to be built by Alex Bogaerts & Associates. Beautiful stone and brick exterior with two-covered porches. Great attention to detail with high end finishes planned for a signature home. 9’ ceilings in lower level, mud room with lockers, a banquette in open kitchen area and five inch wood flooring. Solid doors. Wolf and Sub-Zero appliance package and garage with matching stone exterior with wooden door. $997,000 (213039748)

Gwen Schultz 248-709-4600 gschultz@cbwm.com

Move-in ready... ...Beach Forest Troy Colonial on rare acre sized lot.

Extensively updated throughout. Updates include furnace, air conditioning, most windows, driveway, plus other upgrades. Floor plan is ideal for entertaining or every day living. Wonderful kitchen, extensive use of hardwood floors and unique architectural features. $699,000 (213045832)

Jennifer Zachary 248-212-4416 jzachary@cbwm.com

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Celebrating Home

Spacious Colonial... ...with five bedrooms, five full baths and one half bath, threecar garage. This Oakland Township home offers lots of room for the extended family. Freshly painted, updated kitchen with appliances and updated baths. Added hardwood floors in kitchen, great room and butlers pantry. Huge mud room from garage. Second floor laundry. Daylight finished basement. Beautiful two-tiered deck with a gazebo. Highly acclaimed Rochester Schools. $575,000 (213021669)

True elegance!

Unique Brownstone in downtown Birmingham. Elevator access to all floors. First floor use as service of professional office. Fabulous kitchen with balcony, mostly hardwood floors. 20x19 garage. Handicap accessible. Must see! $649,000 (213018798)

Barbara Spencer 248-703-1773 bspencer@cbwm.com

Spacious center entrance Colonial... ...on the corner of South Deeplands and Ballaynte in Grosse Pointe Shores. Circular driveway, beautiful landscaping. Three-car side-entrance garage. Spacious room sizes throughout. Six bedrooms. Marble entrance, some hardwood and parquet floors and crown moldings.

Paneled library with fireplace, living room fireplace, and two additional fireplaces. Eating space in kitchen. $595,000 (213042050)

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Lovely Bloomfield Village classic The moment you enter you will feel the warmth and coziness of this five bedroom home. Enjoy casual entertaining in the extra large eating area/family room open to the kitchen overlooking the large fenced yard. Three door walls are ideal for keeping an eye on the kids playing or ease of summer patio parties. Guests can also enjoy a formal atmosphere in the generous living and formal dining rooms. Finished lower level. Updated baths and kitchen. $665,000 (213025560)

Kathy Parker 248-496-9430 kparker@cbwm.com

Absolutely stunning and sophisticated... ...East Oak River home with award-winning Troy Schools.

Many updates from top to bottom. Newer kitchen, bathrooms, roof, hardwood floors, marble and granite.

Large private back yard with newer deck. This home has it all! A truly must see! $649,000 (213042615)

Lena Oskanian 248-225-8729 loskanian@cbwm.com

Over 5,000 square feet of luxury... ...resort living including master bedroom with breakfast bar, sun room and two walk-in closets in West Bloomfield.

Chef’s kitchen with two prep areas, media room and large entertaining spaces. Exterior features a dining pavilion with Tuscan pizza oven and Argentinean parilla, salt water pool, koi pond with waterfall and custom landscaping. Access to Pine Lake with boat privileges. Award-winning Bloomfield Hills schools. $935,000 (213051845)

Kathy Merlo 248-709-0981 kmerlo@cbwm.com

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Celebrating Home

Extraordinary... ...1920’s French Country Stucco Tudor perfectly positioned on one of Birmingham’s most prestigious streets. Features: spacious and open light filled floor plan, hardwood floors, charming moldings, doors, Pewabic tile, beamed ceilings, nook and crannies; updated “cooks kitchen” with Sub-Zero, double stainless steel ovens, granite; updated baths, windows and expertly maintained. Stunning landscaping, stone patio, cascading waterfall, circular stone drive. $939,000 (213057416)

Rebecca Meisner 248-408-2212 rmeisner@cbwm.com

Brownstone style townhouse... ...in Downtown Birmingham. High end finish details: 9’ ceilings, 8’ doors (first level), wood floors, balcony off kitchen, two-car attached garage. Kitchen with granite, wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances. Finished lower level with fireplace, bath, wet bar and storage area. $949,000 (213052157)

Mark Marangon 248-408-5100 mmarangon@cbwm.com

Beautifully renovated ranch... ...with Wing Lake privileges in Bloomfield Hills. Stunning new kitchen, stainless steel appliances, eat-in granite counter/ island. Spa-like master bath with heated marble floor and river rock shower floor. Master bedroom with two walk-in closets and private entrance. Awesome hardwood floors throughout living area. Newer roof, furnace, and bath updates. No basement; however, over-sized two-car garage with adjacent large storage room and additional attic storage. $498,000 (213055926)

Brad Madding & Mary Frances McCaleb B: 248-255-8809 | M: 248-760-4807 bmadding@cbwm.com mmccaleb@cbwm.com

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Bloomfield Hills Schools!

Charming home, private setting on over 1.5 acres! Front porch adds a Southern style welcome with rocking chair fun. Updates include newer granite counters in kitchen and baths. Newer stainless steel ovens and cook top. Newer sinks in kitchen and baths and polished hardwood floors in entry level. Bonus room is a must see! Well-maintained, move-in condition. $550,000 (213053330)

Beautiful setting... ...on Indianwood Lake in Lake Orion. Kitchen is updated with granite. Large great room with plenty of windows to enjoy the lake view. Pottery barn colors! 900 square feet above the garage just waiting for you to finish into whatever your heart desires! On cool evenings enjoy the large fire pit with builtin seating. House is situated on two lots. Hurry so you can enjoy the lake this summer! $559,000 (213052871)

Anne Kersten 248-330-5785 akersten@cbwm.com

Vacation at home... ...in this spectacular Middle Straits wide canal front ranch-style home rebuilt in ‘98. This Commerce Township home features an open layout, modern decor, and turn-key conducive to entertaining. Vaulted ceilings with water and golf course views on .74 acre provides for a lifestyle beyond compare. Tumbled marble accents, limestone finishes & hardwood floors. Private dock, over-sized water toy garage, fire pit and three-car garage. The summer is waiting for you! $599,000 (213040722)

Cindy Hannah 248-705-0829 channah@cbwm.com

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Pheasant Hills Colonial... ...in Northville’s “Gaslight” district. Backing to commons, two-story foyer, stained woodwork throughout, princess suite, two furnaces and two air conditioners,new roof tear-off (08), exterior painted (10), master suite with fireplace, family room with fireplace opens to kitchen, dining room, circular drive, three and a half car garage, finished lower level bath, great room, bar and office. Gunite swimming pool with fountain. $600,000 (213051644)

Charming 1930’s Connecticut... ...Colonial situated on a beautifully landscaped .5 acre lot in one of Birmingham’s finest areas. Extraordinary quality and vintage decorative elements. Exposed hardwood flooring, custom moldings, updated kitchen. Spacious pine-paneled library with cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Lovely threeseason porch overlooks slate patio and gardens. 1339 square feet of lower level living space. Pride of ownership is evident in this wonderful home. $975,000

Robert Dundon 248-224-6236 rdundon@cbwm.com

All sports Upper Long Lake Newer West Bloomfield custom built home on canal. Soaring two-story foyer and great room with fireplace. Gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, hardwood floors. Many rooms with French doors to slate balcony or patio. Master with two walk-in closets, fireplace, balcony, marble bath. Walkout with family room, fireplace, fourth bedroom and bath. Threecar garage. Hot tub. Dock. Sub boat launch, park & beach.

Warranty. $659,900 (213037107)

John Darvis 248-770-2147 jdarvis@cbwm.com

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Cross over into the extraordinary... ...in this unique Wabeek Forest residence with spectacular golf course views. Private and serene with every amenity imaginable. Contemporary styling; walkout lower level; 1st floor master suite; open great room with dual fireplace to library; spa room with hot tub and sauna; multiple expansive decks and so much more. Updates galore and ready for you to live the lifestyle of your dreams! Call today and be in by summer. $925,000 (213044650)

Kevin Cristbrook 248-417-7682 kevincristbrook.com

Lakefront with great views... ...from all three levels of this Pine Lake stunner in West Bloomfield. Huge private master bedroom suite with private balcony, fireplace and luxury bath. Granite kitchen with stainless steel appliances, large dining room overlooks lake, wet bar, opens to living room, fireplace, entertainment/ movie area. Assigned boat slip, pool. Central vacuum, cedar roof, Enjoy fabulous lakefront lifestyle! $850,000 (213054181)

Steve Cole 248-914-0008 scole@cbwm.com

Outstanding Clarkston home... ...in Oakhurst Golf and Country club. Lorimer built with attention to detail. Amenities include hardwood, granite, four fireplaces, exceptional ceiling treatments, butler’s pantry, crown molding, plantation shutters, first floor master, Jacuzzi, kitchen with hearth room, cherry cabinets, den with stone fireplace.

Finished lower level to above grade standards includes media room, full bath, bar and much more. Great for entertaining.

Private yard with pond and waterfall. $849,000 (213049612)

Cheryl Bailey 248-765-7710 cbailey@cbwm.com

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Stunning Plymouth executive retreat... ..with four bedrooms and four full baths. This beautiful home offers cul-de-sac location with own sports court and inground pool. All new hardwood floors, granite, appliances, Baths with slate and granite Euro-glass doors, Grohe plumbing, Toto self closing toilets. (2) 95% efficient furnaces, (2) solar heat pumps and (2) tankless H2O heaters. Master suite with 10x20 walk-in closet with luxury bath. Huge jetted tub, slate and granite. $649,900 (213058732)

Contemporary living... ...at an unsurpassed Birmingham location offering sweeping views of the Wabeek golf course and lake. Entertainer’s dream; elegantly designed throughout. Beautifully updated master bedroom suite featuring luxurious limestone bath! Soaring ceilings, walls of windows, all-white kitchen, spacious sunken living room with fireplace. Finished walkout with rec room, fireplace, wet bar and full bath. Three-car garage; three decks to enjoy. Won’t last, so call today! $650,000 (213044715)

Kevin Cristbrook 248-417-7682 kevincristbrook.com

Newer Bloomfield gem!

Great views and circle drive, exterior landscape lighting and paver patio. First floor master bedroom suite, three fireplaces, fabulous floor plan, private library/office. Near lakes and country clubs. Beautiful landscape. Southern exposure. Decks and patio. Bedroom in lower level walkout with theatre area and fabulous granite bar and full bath.

Security system. Extra large three-car garage. Lifestyle home! $649,000 (213013586)

Steve Cole 248-914-0008 scole@cbwm.com

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877-826-2152 cbwm.com

for a jumbo loan that lives up to its name.

Up to $2MM mortgage loans. Competitive interest rates. At PNC, we’re meeting the needs of potential homeowners by offering jumbo mortgages for primary and secondary properties. A seasoned PNC mortgage professional will walk your client through the application process, one step at a time. Talk with us today and see what makes us different.

Gail Kwiatkowski Mortgage Loan Officer 805-252-8555 NMLS ID 370168

SM

28580 Orchard Lake Rd., Suite 104 pncmortgage.com/gailkwiatkowski Farmington Hills, MI 48334 877-888-1189 gail.kwiatkowski@pncmortgage.com

PNC is a registered service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) PNC Mortgage is a division of PNC Bank, National Association, a subsidiary of PNC. All loans are provided by PNC Bank, National Association. This information is provided for business and professional uses only and is not to be provided to a consumer or the public. This information is provided to assist real estate professionals and is not an advertisement to extend customer credit as defined by Section 226.2 of Regulation Z. Programs, interest rates, and fees are subject to change without notice. ©2013 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

112307 PNC Bank, National Association Member FDIC

◊

FACES Ben Rosman and Aaron Siegel

B

en Rosman and Aaron Siegel grew up in Birmingham where they both felt a strong connection to music.

Together, Rosman and Siegel co-founded the Purple Company, a Detroit music agency that finds cutting edge music for film, television, video games and advertising projects.

Siegel and Rosman first met while attending Seaholm High School. They parted ways when Siegel graduated high school early and moved to Australia to travel. Upon returning, he studied film at Emerson College in Boston.

Rosman moved to Colorado upon graduation to study Spanish language and literature at the University of Colorado Boulder.

After college, Rosman moved to California where he worked in advertising. “After a while my love affair with L.A. came to an end, I guess between the traffic and expense of living out there on my own and my family, I wanted to get back and see what I could find for myself in Detroit.”

Rosman moved to Bloomfield Hills and began working for a criminal defense attorney, which inspired him to go to law school.

Moving from Boston to Detroit, Siegel started a bike messenger company and threw “underground, illegal, after hours parties” in Detroit for about five years. “I was doing that and then it led to the creation of FIT Distribution, a vinyl record distribution company for independent dance music record labels in Detroit.”

Siegel also has two record labels of his own, is an artist, and an international DJ. “I do a lot. I don't stop working,” he said.

With a desire to start a company to help local artists get more exposure, Siegel contacted Rosman regarding the idea. “I knew I couldn't do it by myself and Ben was finishing law school and he's a creative guy, so I thought he would be good for it,” Siegel said.

“I had been speaking with Aaron Siegel and just talking about getting some alternate revenue streams in,” Rosman said. “He and I were just spit balling ideas and talking about getting a music license company together.”

Their discussion resulted in the Purple Company, a music supervision agency and publishing company based in Detroit and New York City. “He does the business operations and I do creative development,” Siegel said.

“We take artists' previously-licensed work and musical arrangements and songs and try to find them placements in either movies, television, commercials or video games,” Rosman said.

Dial 81, Coyote Clean Up, Lord Scrummage and Deastro are the four artists they currently work with.

“We work with very unique and talented artists and I think that's really what sets us apart. We have a small, handpicked variety of artists but that gives us the ability to cater to them and also cater to advertising agencies and music supervisors to help them find the perfect place for their music,” Rosman said.

Dial 81 has opened for Ludacris and wrote the original score for the documentary “DETROPIA”. Coyote Clean Up was featured in Vice Magazine and can often be heard on Sirius XM. Deastro has been featured in many films and commercials, and local Detroit band Lord Scrummage is on the rise.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Oakland County Executive (and former prosecutor) L.Brooks Patterson, known to one and all as simply “Brooks”, was in a life-altering, and almost life-ending, car accident on August 10, 2012, when another driver turned into the car in which Patterson was a passenger. Neither Patterson, nor his driver, James Cram, were wearing seat belts, and Patterson suffered numerous injuries and was in a coma for three weeks. But like a cat with nine lives, Patterson is back in his office in Oakland County, hard at work in his sixth four-year term, managing the budget, working to maintain the county’s AAA bond rating with a looming bankruptcy in neighboring Detroit, helping to diversify the county’s tax base by bringing in a wealth of high-paying high-tech jobs unrelated to the automobile industry. And he has a new cause – taking on his fellow Republicans in the Michigan legislature over nofault automobile lifetime insurance caps.

DOWNTOWN: You were in a catastrophic accident several months ago. How are you feeling?

PATTERSON: I’ve been back to work for a few months, speaking, doing what I have to do to be an effective politician. As you can see, I’m still confined to my wheelchair which means I can’t walk. I go to PT three times a week, and when I’m at PT, they won’t let me get in this wheelchair.

The therapist says, “Get out of that chair.” He’ll throw me a couple of crutches. At the end of the session, from 8:30 to 9:30, I’ll say give me those crutches, and he’ll say, “Walk.” So I’m walking in an environment with a therapist. You have on these belts, in case they need to grab you, but I’m doing pretty well. My gait is not what you would expect, but that is because I broke my hip, I broke my knee, so I’ve got a lot of healing to do still before I have a normal gait. But that’s one of the many lessons I’ve learned is patience. I’m surprised I’m as patient as I’ve been. I’m Type A. DOWNTOWN: Can you detail your injuries?

What lingering after effects are you currently left with? How are you coping with them?

How long is the projected road to full recovery?

PATTERSON: Shattered my hip, my knee. Both wrists, compound fractures. I’m still in wrist splints. I broke my right ankle and some toes, broke a few ribs, broke my left femur – I’ve got a rod through that. And then I had a pretty nasty head injury. You can see the scar if you look real closely. It’s the toughest to stop bleeding. I hit the roof of the car, and it sorta peeled my head back, my scalp back. When I got to the hospital, I had a

bunch of transfusions because they couldn’t stop the bleeding. My partner, on the other hand, my driver, a good friend of mine, a retired state police detective (James Cram), he didn’t have a cut on him. He didn’t have one drop of blood, not one bruise. But he hit the ceiling and broke three vertebrae and he’s now a quadriplegic. I’ve got a lot of bones broken, but I’m walking and getting stronger. He’s going to be confined for the rest of his life. The (other) guy ran a red light and we were T-boned, and we didn’t have a chance.

I had three major operations and I was give a three percent chance to survive, and the doctor, a female friend of mine, we’ve been friends for 25 years, she came out to see me at home after I got out of the hospital, and she was telling me –because I didn’t know any of this stuff – she said, Brooks, we knew you weren’t going to make it. I just couldn’t accept that. I look at it, there were a lot of prayers and a lot of good physicians and I’m back!

It’s trying my patience. But I’ve learned, are you going to curse the darkness, or are you going to light a candle? So, I’ve been doing the best I can. I go to therapy religiously. I have a nerve severed in my ankle, so my foot drops, and you can’t walk when your foot drops. It’s going to change my life – it already has. When you have a head injury like I had, the first thing they’re going to look for, when you’re back out of your coma, is evidence of a closed head injury. So this nurse/physician assistant said, “I have to ask you some questions and give you a test.” I said ok. I like to test. Fire away. She goes, “First question, three boys go down an alley. Each boy has two apples. One of the boys eats one of his apples.

How many are left?” Five! Mr. Patterson you passed! And that was the level of the tests. But the doctor said if I had a closed head injury, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that question.

I’ll have a pretty full recovery. I’ll have this severed nerve. And I’ll be able to tell anybody when it looks like it’s going to storm – in-body weather vane – but, not that I was a good golfer before, but now I have an excuse to play from the forward tees.

DOWNTOWN: You’ve just begun your sixth four-year term. What does your health portend for your career at this juncture? Do you foresee finishing out this term? If you decide to step down ahead of schedule, who would you like to see take over for you?

PATTERSON: I think I put that rumor to bed quite a while ago. My schedule is as active as it ever was, and my drivers – because I still can’t drive – switch off so I have two during the day –

frankly, they just can’t keep up. We really go. I’m strong enough to maintain a full-time schedule.

Absolutely (foresee finishing this term). I’m not sure I won’t run again. I’m not stepping down, I’m still a young guy and I might run again in 2016.

I’ll try to hold on as long as (U.S. Rep.) John Dingell.

I’ve got a few guys I’m grooming. I don’t want to put anyone out front now. I’ve got a couple guys on staff that are outstanding, and a couple of young mayors who I watch very closely and who are doing a good job on the local level, so there’ll be somebody with the talent.

DOWNTOWN: You are also currently at odds with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, and the Republican state legislature, over plans to reform Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance coverage, particularly the $1 million cap on medical care for catastrophic injuries. Your injuries were covered under the worker compensation law rather than no-fault auto insurance. Why are you so opposed to the proposed change? As a fiscal conservative, how would you recommend reforming insurance? Or is that an unnecessary reform?

PATTERSON: I didn’t draw a dime from that fund. It is so drastic and so unfair. It sounds like a lot, and they go around, (Rep.) Peter Lund (RMacomb) and Bolger (R-Calhoun), the Speaker of the House, and they say we’ll put a $1 million in that policy, and that’s 20 times higher than the next state, which is New York, so we’re being very generous. My driver, who was catastrophically injured because of his injuries, has already gone through $2.7 million. He’d be out of money in the first four months. Then the care he gets, which is constant, would not be available to him. He’d fall back on Medicaid. He’d be assigned some hospital where basically he’s warehoused, or would be warehoused, until he curls up and dies.

It is so unfair.

They tested this with the public back in 1992.

They wanted to repeal no-fault (insurance). Sixtythree percent said no, leave it alone. So in ‘94 they came back, and 61 percent said no, leave it alone. So now these guys are doing an end run around the express will of the public and they’re going to try to repeal it themselves with legislation rather than asking the public by referendum. And you’ve got to watch out for that word reform. It’s hard to speak out against reform.

It’s right up there with motherhood and apple pie.

But if you look at the reform, one man’s reform is another man’s bankruptcy. It could be another man’s death sentence.

So you’ve got to ask what is the nature of the

SO NOW THESE GUYS ARE DOING AN END RUN AROUND

THE WILL OF THE PUBLIC AND THEY'RE GOING TO REPEAL IT WITH LEGISLATION

L. BROOKS

PATTERSON INTERVIEW BY LISA BRODY

Downtown photos: Laurie Tennent

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reform. This fund they want to support, catastrophic claims fund, is going to go broke in 25 years and it can’t sustain itself because of all the claims being made. Really? How’d you come to that conclusion? Well, it’s an actuarial supposition we used. So my guys said, can we see that actuarial supposition you used. It’s so complicated you wouldn’t understand. Now that’s arrogant. I wouldn’t do it myself, but we can hire an actuary.

They don’t want us to see it because honestly, it’s a manufactured crisis. It’s not going broke.

I got into this fight a year ago, actually before my accident, when there was $13 or $14 billion in the fund. Now, there’s $17 billion – it’s expanding, not contracting, and if we just took the interest off that, just the interest alone, we could pay all the claims. It’s almost like an annuity now.

Dennis Muchmore, Snyder’s chief of staff, who used to work for me, came down to see me, and we went into the conference room, just the two of us and closed the door, and said, “What’s it going to take Brooks?” I said, “I’ll tell you Dennis, I just want to see the books.” He laughed. I said what’s so funny. He said, “The governor made the same request and they won’t show him the books!” I said why are we fighting. You guys should be on my side. Everything is under the cover of darkness. It’s sealed. It’s just a bad system.

DOWNTOWN: Starting about eight years ago when you were running for re-election, you were one of the first politicians of note calling for a “Big Tent” approach by the Republican party to build a broader base of party involvement. It would appear, at the state and national level, that the “Big Tent” approach has not caught on and that a number of issues considered litmus tests are still being applied to those seeking to identify themselves as Republicans. We have also had the growth of the Tea Party, which seems to be a force somewhat in pushing the party towards a more conservative position. Is there still hope that the “Big Tent” approach can be used or has confrontational party politics pretty well doomed that concept.

PATTERSON: If we don’t change we will continue to shrink as a growth force. Luckily, we control the House (of Representatives), and (Rep. John) Boehner is the Speaker, so nothing gets through the House that doesn’t have enough support, but he’s not always able to control them. People are now talking more about it. If you see the Sunday shows, and they’re all talking about how Republicans are going to have to make appeals to minorities, Hispanics, women, and the issues...I mean, we’re not going to win elections on social issues. It’s still going to be the economy, stupid. It’s still going to be pocketbook issues. With the economy starting to pick up, then we can look at social issues, because it’s such a divisive issue to talk about abortion, to talk about gay marriages...

I don’t know why so many have narrowed their focus. I’ve thought about it a lot. I was shocked when Obama got a second term. I consciously sat down and thought about where did we go wrong.

Obama is bankrupting the country. More of it, I think is that the Tea Party is a toothless tiger. When they had the Tea Party parades out here when ma and pa were protesting about their health care, it was the result of that one stock trader in Chicago who said it’s time for us to revolt, we all remember the Boston Tea Party, we better have our own Tea Party. That’s what sparked the Tea Party movement. All of a sudden there were parades on Woodward Avenue, parades on Big Beaver, parades on Maple Road. I went down to them, every one of them, and I walked the streets, not in the parade, but I wanted to talk to people. They were all grandma and grandpa from next door, mom and pop from across the street. They were all there for only one reason, because they were concerned about their health care – and they ought to be – and then the right wing Taliban of our party hijacked it. They got out front of it and said follow us. All of a sudden, to the casual observer, it looked like this guy had a following of thousands. They were there for one reason, to protect their insurance, to protect their pensions, and these other guys jumped ahead and said “I’ll lead this movement.” They’re the ones who now make the decisions for the party in conventions. Now that wing is getting stronger and they come to these conventions and they’re well-organized but they’re still a minority. If they get in total charge of the party, I think we are discredited off the map.

DOWNTOWN: Aside from population shifts in Oakland, how much of the current shift toward Democratic candidates in elections can be ascribed to the movement of the GOP in the state and Oakland to a more radically right position on key social issues?

PATTERSON: I don’t know if that’s it at all. I don’t

know if they’re all that radical. I’ve been to some of their speeches, and they are a pretty tough crowd, and there is a litmus test, and I don’t pass on all of them and I’m not even considered a “good Republican”, which I’ve been all my life. I was trying to think about how Mitt Romney lost, and I thought about it for three or four days, and I had an “a ha” moment, and I think I’m right, and I think Mitt said the same thing about a month after the election, and I think Wendell Wilkie said it after he lost the election to Franklin Roosevelt – he was supposed to win against Roosevelt, and he was asked how did he lose, and he said, “It’s hard to win against Santa Claus.” You have the same thing here now. When 51 percent of the population is dependent on the government for some sort of support, he’s bought himself a coalition. Everybody who gets something from the federal government – citizenship, or tuition wiped out, or exemptions from Obamacare – the unions are lining up to be exempt – they’re all beholden.

This was all predicted by a guy, Woodhousen, “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves money from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, and from that moment on, the democracy always collapses over loose fiscal power.” And that’s where we are. That was written in 1813. That’s where I think we are in America today.

DOWNTOWN: You’re known as an outspoken fellow, often at odds with administrations in Detroit and Wayne County. What are your thoughts about the emergency manager situation in Detroit? Do you think it’s likely there will be a municipal bankruptcy in Detroit?

PATTERSON: Yes I do. They’ve dug a hole so deep, it’s almost inevitable. (Kevyn) Orr is going to try to get concessions from the unions, and they’re going to say we already gave at the office, thank you.

He’s going to try to get concessions from vendors, and they’re going to say we’ve already taken a haircut. He’ll try to get concessions from all the debtors of the city, but I don’t think he’ll get them all, and even if he can, I don’t think he can make up all that the city is behind. He says he’s going to make a decision in two months, which means he’s given these entities two months to renegotiate their bids and their contracts. When (Gov. Rick) Snyder picked Orr, I publicly said I don’t have anything against him, he seems qualified, the only thing is he’s a bankruptcy lawyer – he’s always going to think bankruptcy. I was right on that one. Sure enough, that’s the arrow in his quiver. He’s got a recalcitrant city council, and they’re going to push back on everything.

DOWNTOWN: Your administration has been held up as a role model, here and across the

THEN THE RIGHT WING TALIBAN OF OUR PARTY HIJACKED IT…TO THE CASUAL OBSERVER, IT LOOKED LIKE…A FOLLOWING OF THOUSANDS

nation, in terms of its budgeting practices, including the rolling approach to working several years out on budgets. You have also been fortunate to assemble a strong cast of assistants and employees who have an uncanny knack for predicting the future as it applies to revenue and general economic trends. What does your staff predict now in terms of the current economic recovery, against the background that some national predictions suggest that the current recovery may not be sustainable?

PATTERSON: I disagree with that. We have the numbers and evidence to show that it is turning around. Michigan is actually leading the recovery.

We were probably down the furthest, so if you were starting at Ground Zero, you have a good chance of showing the greatest percentage increase. I’ve been reading a lot of articles, it’s not just automotive, although automotive is our bread and butter for decades. We’re purposely avoiding automotive, although if an automotive supplier wanted to come to Oakland County, we’d welcome them. We’re not recruiting them. We’re recruiting information technologies, finance, health care. One in every five Oakland County worker works in health care in some capacity. That’s a huge percentage of my work force. I’m going to encourage that. Why? Because they’re well-paying jobs. They’re educated.

The next revolution is going to be in the high tech economy. And I want to be right in the middle of that. So we designed a program back in ‘03 called Emerging Sectors, and we kicked it off in ‘04. We’re going to have a party to celebrate it on the floor of the Palace. I get a report every month telling me exactly which sectors are growing. We picked out the top 10 sectors that were growing – research, electronics, nanotechnologies, aerospace, alternative energies, energy, communications and IT, defense, and homeland security, insurance, robotics, and water technology. Those are the sectors we’re trying to recruit talent for.

That was in ‘04, and here it is ‘13, and our success is we have now brought in 238 companies within those sectors, with the biggest one being IT. But the biggest investment is in health, with $851 million (invested). We crashed through the $2 billion barrier about two months ago; we thought that was a milestone. So we said let’s have a party and celebrate and invite all these companies to come and thank them for investing here, and guess what? Before we can get the party off the ground, we’re at $2.5 billion. Five hundred million dollars (of investment) in the last six months. Incredible.

It’s just exploding. We purposely planned to have a program that was diversifying the economic base of this county. And I’ve got the evidence that it’s working. These companies are paying $63 million in taxes, federal, state and local. My whole staff, 90-some people, work on this program. This is the future. It’s called the knowledge-based economy,

to maintain our identity. It’s all about community pride. And that’s great. I love community pride. But it came back to bite me a little because they do not want to surrender their identity, and we said we’ll give you police protection by the sheriff, and it’ll be cheaper and better, because we’ve got labs and whatever. Nobody wanted to do it. The pressure was on for a while that we don’t need two dispatchers on, we should put things together, and that kind of consolidation was being driven by tough economic times. Now that the tax base is starting to increase, the pressure is off. Shortsighted.

and I want to be a player.

I worked so damn hard, and supported OU’s (Oakland University’s) efforts to get a medical school. Why? Well, that little effort is now reversing the brain drain. We got 50 the first year, 75 the second year, 125 coming up this year, and we’ve got applicants from all 50 states and a few foreign countries. And these kids are all like, 3.99, 4.0, so the brains are coming back. Surveys show 80 percent will set up practice within 100 miles of the medical school, because they’re going to marry some local girl or guy.

DOWNTOWN: Although your administration made an effort a number of years ago to help underwrite studies of municipal service mergers and cooperative efforts among local communities, would it be fair to say that little progress has been made on that front? If so, does a rebound in the economy and local tax revenues take away one of the incentives for looking at service sharing or mergers at the local level?

PATTERSON: I pulled the plug on that program.

We spent close to $1 million on that to look at townships, for example, Independence that surrounds Clarkston. Rochester Hills, which surrounds Rochester. Farmington Hills, which surrounds the city of Farmington. Is there a case to be made? And we think we made it, the replication of services, both communities don’t need fire departments, both communities don’t need fire chiefs, and so forth. And they can save considerable money, especially in this economy where cities are going bankrupt. Not one city or township took us up on it or the proposal. It was costing us $2,000 or $3,000 to have these proposals done, so I said to my guys in finance, shut it down.

What we ran into was, which I did expect, but not as strident, from the townships – we were chartered back in 1837 or whenever, and we don’t just want to disappear or be gobbled up. We want

DOWNTOWN: Detroit for the first time in 40 years is seeing a resurgence in business in its downtown, and a revitalization in the Midtown section, primarily brought about by Dan Gilbert and his associates. The Hudson-Webber Foundation report says there’s been $6 billion of real estate projects built in the greater downtown area since 2006. Twenty-somethings who have grown up in Oakland County, many in affluent suburbia, have really picked up the mantle and are excited to move down there and be part of this renaissance of Detroit. One, do you think this time it will stick; and two, why do you think it’s caught their interest? Do you see a downside for Oakland County, or is what’s good for the goose, good for the gander? Are businesses moving from Oakland County downtown just moving chess pieces around the board, leaving vacancies in Oakland County? Or does it help bring in businesses to the entire metropolitan area?

PATTERSON: Do I think it will stick? It’s hard to say. Detroit is such a black hole. Things go in and get caught in there and never get seen again.

Detroit’s got to go through a real internal revolution in how it does business and how it’s constructed. There’s still a lot of work to be done.

Just bankruptcy isn’t going to make it all go away.

Bankruptcy doesn’t improve the educational system. That system is a total failure. Bankruptcy isn’t going to stop crime. Just the opposite.

Bankruptcy won’t rebuild the neighborhoods that are suffering. Blight is all over the place.

Bankruptcy gets the creditors off your back.

The city, when I grew up there, was pushing 1.2 million people. Today, it’s a little under 700,000 people. It’s half what it was. The tax base is in half.

It’s going to take a lot to bring it back. Am I going to say it’s never going to come back, that it’s impossible? No, I’m not going to be that much of a pessimist.

I don’t see a downside for me (Oakland County), unless they go bankrupt. If they go bankrupt, Moody’s and Standards & Poors said they would downgrade my AAA bond rating, through no fault of my own. We go to Wall Street every year to make a presentation about our strengths and how we believe we should maintain and continue our AAA

WE HAVE THE NUMBERS AND EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT IT IS TURNING AROUND. MICHIGAN IS ACTUALLY LEADING THE RECOVERY

bond rating. They say they grade us on four criteria, basically on our business practices. They think our liquidity is outstanding – it’s close to $400 million. Some of it is in restricted funds, it’s not all in general fund dollars. But they look at one other thing. They look at the environment. I’m thinking like a lawyer, environment, that’s the ground out there, factories. Uh uh. Environment is where you’re situated. They said, “Let’s face it, Brooks. You’re situated between Flint and Detroit.”

Any survey of those two cities is they’re in the top 10 of crime, undesirability. I said, “Wait, you just said we’re debt-free, we’re well-managed. So why are you going to downgrade me because of geography?” Here’s what they said, quote: “Geography.”

That means the cost of doing business goes up about $2 million. That’s a lot. We can always get the AAA back, but how do we do that? So that’s one of the reasons I don’t want them to go bankrupt. I’m not being altruistic, I’m being selfish.

On the other hand, if Detroit does come back and becomes an attraction, that’s good for Oakland County for a couple of reasons. One, they won’t come to us for bailouts like they do now. When I’m going around the world trying to get companies to come here to do business – and we are successful in getting companies from all over, including Japan and China, to come here – when they hear you’re in a suburb of Detroit, the image of Detroit is so bad, a lot of the time, you’re out of the bidding. I tell people I’d love to be the county exec for suburban Boston, for suburban Chicago, suburban San Francisco. I could use those cities as my attraction.

DOWNTOWN: Any quick assessments of other office holders in the county and what their focus should be in terms of priorities: DOWNTOWN: County clerk Lisa Brown PATTERSON: She’s brand new. I like her, her father’s a good friend of mine, Shel Miller. It’s too soon to tell.

We had one run-in. She called up my legal department and said she didn’t want us to be in a lawsuit affirming the marriage between a man and a woman. So my office got dragged into the lawsuit, and she wanted us out of it. My lawyer called me up, and I said, wait, you work for me.

Before you make a decision like that, you check with me. I would have stayed in (the lawsuit). He apologized, and said he was just trying to keep peace in the family. But she’s a nice girl. A nice lady.

DOWNTOWN: County treasurer Andy Meisner PATTERSON: Andy has his own agenda. I’m sure he’s running for county exec. His chief of staff, deputy, a guy named Jim VanLeuven just left, and he’s the guy with all the knowledge. He worked for (former county treasurer) Hugh Dohany, and he knows where all the bodies are buried. He left, so

who does Andy hire to replace him? A female lawyer from Lansing who specializes in election law, who knows nothing about the role of the treasurer. He’s sitting on a bunch of issues that are multi-million, if not multi-billion, dollar proposals.

We spend a great deal of time in my finance and management budget looking over his shoulder. We have arguments about the difference between a negotiated sale and some bonds; he wants to change the practice and procedure, which happens to be dangerous because frankly a political decision will come in if he makes the call and his friends come in. That’s not how we do things here. He’s very political, smart and is frothing at the bit for Brooks Patterson to go out to pasture.

DOWNTOWN: County sheriff Mike Bouchard PATTERSON: Mike’s an experienced guy. He’s been around. We’re the only two Republicans left and it used to be a completely Republican slate in the old days – and the old days weren’t too long ago, just a few years ago. The public likes him, he does a good job. He gets re-elected every four years with a substantial margin. He’s doing a good job and has earned the respect of the people.

DOWNTOWN: County prosecutor Jessica Cooper PATTERSON: I think she’s a numbskull. She quit the Court of Appeals and I think she thought in her own mind she was going to come and set up a practice dealing with arbitrations and that stuff, and nobody went to her. So then she looked around and said, “I think I’d like to be a prosecutor.” And she ran for that with no real experience for that role.

She’s very mercurial. You can walk in one day and fire a couple of people for no apparent reason.

People in that office say they walk on eggshells.

I’m not a big fan of hers, as you can see.

I ran that office for 16 years. I know what it takes. I know a little bit about it.

DOWNTOWN: You’ve had a long career here, as Oakland County executive, and before that, as Oakland County Prosecutor. Under you, the county has consistently had a coveted AAA bond rating, balanced annual budgets, and respect from Wall Street. You founded Automation Alley, southeastern Michigan’s premier high-tech consortium, in 1998, which now has a roster of over 1,000 companies. What developments in Oakland County that you had a hand in are you most proud of? And either as executive, or as prosecutor, what have been your greatest disappointments?

PATTERSON: (I’m most proud of) Emerging Sectors. I thought it would take me 25 years to bring in new companies, not necessarily automotive. I want the high-paying jobs involved in the knowledge-based economy, which means you’ve got to be educated with probably a four-year degree, and maybe a little graduate work wouldn’t hurt. National average for a four-year degree is 27 percent; Michigan it’s 23 percent; Oakland County it’s 49 (percent). We do educate our kids here. The jobs we are trying to attract are the well-educated because you find out they’re the higher paying ones. Sixty percent of the new jobs in the last four years are from the knowledge-based economy.

We’re still adding jobs, and we’re adding them faster in the right areas.

Arts, Beats & Eats. It was my idea back in ‘99, and now it enjoys a national reputation.

Paying off our legacy costs, $600 million that we owed in retiree health costs – it’s gone. I paid it off.

We’re the only one in America to have done that.

We started a race, called the Brooksie Way, it’s an expression my son-in-law used when he gave the eulogy (for his late son, Brooks Stuart, “Brooksie”, who died in snowmobiling accident in 2007), he was saying, when you go skiing, you go for the deepest, powdery snow. When you go rafting, you go for the whitecaps. Live life to the fullest – the Brooksie way. So we started a halfmarathon, 13.1 miles and a 5 K; this year, we added a 10 K. This year, we probably have over 7,000 (competing) for the sixth annual Brooksie Way. I put together a very strong board, and now they rank us, and we’re ranked in the top 10 when it comes to aesthetics for the beauty of the course.

We’re considered one of the most digitally advanced counties in the country. I’m just proud our county enjoys a good reputation.

I’m one of those guys, still at my age, at 74 years of age, in my 21st Scan for audio year here, still looks L. Brooks Patterson forward to Monday interview. morning.

DETROIT'S GOT TO GO THROUGH A REAL INTERNAL REVOLUTION IN HOW IT DOES BUSINESS...

BANKRUPTCY ISN'T GOING TO MAKE IT ALL GO AWAY.

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Upper Straits Lake Frontage $4,200,000 Exquisite waterfront and gated home on all sports lake. Over 12,000 square feet of living space. Gym, steam room, wine cellar, kitchen/bar in walk out basement. Prepped for elevator, six fireplaces with imported stone. Stainless steel appliances. Main floor and basement laundry. Bonus space above garage could be additional two bedrooms, kitchen and bath. Brazilian Cherry wood, marble and neutral carpet throughout. Furnishings are negotiable.

Six bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 213034147

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Upper Straits Lake Frontage $2,500,000 Fabulous site of 3+ acres with lake frontage on Upper Straits Lake. Part of 10+ acre site that can be divided as Lakefront Estate size homes or one site of pristine acreage. Entire property includes two home, horse arena, out building and FAA approved helicopter page. Ten plus parcel priced at 6.5 million.

Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212110371 Presented by Ronni Keating

Heather Lake Frontage $1,370,000 Gracious and elegant builder's home that has been meticulously maintained. Features include two master suites, multiple fireplaces, elevator, beautiful terrace with breathtaking views, lush landscaping and sandy beach on Heather Lake. This is the best that Michigan living has to offer. 213056695 Presented by Mia Bardy

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Birmingham $1,380,000 One of a kind Contemporary European style home on a park like setting close to downtown Birmingham and Rouge River trails! Spectacular open floor plan, two story great room with stone fireplace, light oak floor and big windows. Large dining room, premium gourmet custom kitchen with top of the line appliances. Beautiful master suite with skylights, luxurious bath, sauna and terrace. State of the art patio with built in GE grill. Brick and stone castle on double lot. Just gorgeous! Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213045756 Presented by Silvia Stan

Bloomfield $949,999 2007 Custom-built all brick Colonial by Maplewood Homes. Located on over seven acres adjacent to stream and small pond. Quality amenities, hardwood floors, crown moldings, granite and millwork throughout. Gourmet kitchen with huge granite island, high-end appliances. First floor master suite and laundry.

Great room with soaring ceiling and fireplace. Ten foot basement with five large daylight windows. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213051800 Presented by Bill Tracy

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Lake Angelus Frontage $1,499,000 Fabulous updated Cape Cod on Pristine Lake Angelus. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths in main house, one bedroom with one bath in guest house or in-law suite attached to main house. Beautiful updates in the last year include; master bath, kitchen, all the baths on first floor. Newer roof, furnace, air conditioning, water heater. Seven car heated garage. Estate setting and with the original Ice House from Frederick Fisher Estate. 213040916 Presented by Lee Embrey

Birmingham $1,198,700 Spectacular English Country Cottage originally built in 1927 and expanded in 2007 offers charm and character of a bygone era along-side today's modern conveniences. Custom Grabill, Cherry kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances. New master suite with fireplace and bath with Euro Shower and Spa tub. Three stories of stunning architectural details including coved and two story ceilings plus plaster walls. Library with judge's paneling. Too many wonderful touches to list. A must see! Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213044541 Presented by Kathy Lyons

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Birmingham $1,199,000 Walk to town from this exceedingly attractive brick Colonial. Grand staircase from foyer to master suite with fireplace, his/hers walk in closet and luxurious bath. de Giulio kitchen with eating space, butler's pantry servicing living and dining rooms. French doors to intimate garden professionally landscaped.

Completely finished lower level with additional bedroom and full bath. A complete residence with Birmingham's pleasures at hand.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213036758 Presented by Betty Pince

Bloomfield Hills $1,150,000 Enjoy breathtaking views from this mini estate complete with shared lake lot across Franklin with deeded boat dock and lake privileges! Total renovation in 2002 includes custom moldings, hardwood floors, magnificent chef 's kitchen with oversized island and breakfast room overlooking patio and manicured grounds. Master suite with fireplace, elegant foyer, paneled library, spa room with sauna and jacuzzi! The 2,000 plus square foot lower level has kitchen, bedroom, living area, full bath and recreation room! Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. Co-listor Cindy Obron Kahn. 213039684 Presented by Renee Lossia Acho

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Oxford $1,249,900 Spectacular Post and Beam home with 75 rolling, open, wooded acres. Designer perfect kitchen with Bosch Sub Zero, five star appliances, granite and maple floors. Two and half story great room with massive Fieldstone fireplace. First floor master, library, finished lower level with fireplace, bar, exercise room, sauna, in-ground pool, heated pool house and cabana. Six car garage, dog kennel, beautiful Morton barn, caretakers home, dairy barn and out buildings.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212107747 Presented by Lee Embrey & David Busch

Canton Township $975,000 According to "CNN MONEY" Canton, Michigan is one of the best places to live. This open concept, one of a kind, custom Ranch sits on exquisite 2.3 acre, wooded lot. Two garages hold a total of seven cars. Walk in butlers pantry off the kitchen which includes top of the line appliances and two separate islands.

All doors are custom made, solid oak, all woodwork is custom hand crafted. Lower level walkout with media/theater room, exercise room, sauna/steam/shower, wet bar indoor and outdoor fireplace. Three bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213050138 Presented by Greg Johnston

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Birmingham $995,000 Beautiful and bright in town charmer! Over 4300 square feet with an open floor plan and spacious rooms. This home is perfect for entertaining or everyday living. Boasts updated gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, large finished lower level with wine cellar and media room. Wonderful master suite with vaulted ceiling, fireplace, balcony. Attached two car garage and lovely paver patio. Four bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 213038813 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Bloomfield $719,000 Beautiful and spacious Brick Ranch on 1.49 acres. Huge master suite with walk in closet, master bath with separate shower, jetted tub and double sink. Both bedroom two and three are suites. Granite kitchen with breakfast room. First floor laundry. Partial finished basement. Stunning four seasons room leads to brick patio. Fenced dog run. Gilbert Lake privileges. Four bedrooms with four baths. 213011543 Presented by T. Gerald Etue

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Lake Oakland Frontage $1,395,000 1.64 acre, very private Waterfront Estate with 187 feet of lake frontage. Two story great room, granite counters in large open custom kitchen and all baths, two master bedroom suites, three fireplaces, finished lower level with family room and fully appointed 10-stool wet bar and exercise room. Wrap around porch leading to in-ground pool, professionally landscape with lakefront waterfall, loaded with limestone ledge rock and paver. Six car 37x57 heated garage, generator and wild-life. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213051566 Presented by RW Watson

Lake Oakland Frontage $999,000 Great location on Lake Oakland. 172 feet frontage on a quiet bay on main lake. Quality custom built open floor plan with soaring windows and ceilings.

Chef 's kitchen, first floor master, fabulous steel constructed walk out lower level with bedroom suite, exercise room, wine cellar sub private beach and parks.

Cedar decks and paver patios. Colorado pink granite seawall, dock. boat, docks, new hoists included. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213049879 Presented by Michelle Yurich

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Bloomfield Hills $899,000 Immaculate and pristine home with access to Gilbert Lake! Private 1+ acre lot. Foyer with marble floor and circular staircase. Gourmet center island kitchen with granite, Brazilian cherry. Hearth room with fireplace. Family room with hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, skylights, wall of windows to yard. Formal living room with coved ceilings and fireplace. Formal dining room and quaint study. Master bedroom with his/her closet areas and bath. All bedrooms are spacious with custom millwork. 213034755 Presented by Robert Gleason

Bloomfield Township $649,900 Outstanding Contemporary with scenic views of Orange Lake situated on approximately one acre with Bloomfield Hills schools. State-of-the-Art kitchen/granite and newer master suite, wrap-around balconies to take in extremely scenic view from most locations throughout the home. Attention to detail in every aspect of the home. Energy efficient with passive heating, an absolute GEM! Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213054827 Presented by Susan Johnson

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Commerce Lake Frontage $749,900 Scenic views on all sports private Commerce Lake with 136 feet of sandy beach frontage and three areas of patio pavers. Gated community with tennis court and children's park. State of the art gourmet kitchen, sky-lights throughout. Four fireplaces with hearth setting. Third floor in-law suite with kitchenette and full bath. Master suite with sitting/reading area and balcony. Over 6,000 finished square feet. New carpet. Five bedrooms with 3.2 baths.

213057097 Presented by Susan Johnson

Dryden Township $695,000 Fabulous Newer Construction! Two stall horse barn with electricity and water. 5.5 acres backing to the Polly Ann Trail. Over 5,000 square feet of living space. Privacy and serenity surrounds this Country French design with views from every room. Decorator perfect for the most distinguishing taste.

Granite, marble, hardwood floors and custom millwork. Too many amenities to list. Four bedrooms with four baths. 213049189 Presented by Lee Embrey

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Bloomfield Hills $775,000 - $1,400,000 "Barton Hills' this new gated community is exquisitely located within the city of Bloomfield Hills. Architectural, construction review and approval are required. Some architectural concepts are available for consideration. Development is beautifully treed, has wonderful contour and grand views.

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Bloomfield Hills $476,000 - $900,000 The newest City of Bloomfield Hills gated community offers several superb lots; a natural walkout overlooking the pond and beautifully treed lot. A full set of plans for the exquisite home that could be built are available or bring your own plans. Six wonderful sites to choose from.

Presented by Kathy Lyons

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Rochester Hills $649,900 Exceptional Contemporary home nestled on 2.75 acres of wooded rolling grounds, just over a mile north of down town Rochester. Custom designed spacious and open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, expansive windows to bring in natural light and beautiful scenery, skylights, hardwood flooring, natural stone fireplaces, maple cabinetry, large deck perfect for entertaining, finished walk-out basement, and much more. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213048924 Presented by Tony & Lisa Scaccia

Troy $468,000

Birmingham $499,000

Spectacular! Updated Colonial in beautiful Hills of Charnwood. Private court treed setting backs to commons. Unique floor plan has Contemporary design, dramatic two story great room with floor to ceiling window and fantastic views!

Custom stone elevation, three car garage. Updates include; roof, windows, new appliances, granite in kitchen and bathroom, freshly painted. Finished basement with full bath and kitchen. A Must See! Three bedrooms with 2.2 baths.

213053894 Presented by Rosa Lau

In town living! Inviting front porch welcomes you to a home overflowing with charm and original detail combined with modern updates added in 1998.

Stainless Viking kitchen appliances. Wood floors on first floor. Family room addition with fireplace is carpeted. First floor laundry/mud room. Spacious master suite with vaulted ceiling, wonderful closet and large bath. Basement is consistent with 1913 era construction. Fenced yard. Many possibilities! Three bedrooms 2.1 baths. 213053299 Presented by Linda Eriksen

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Square Lake Frontage $679,000 Looking for the perfect lakefront property, here it is. Built in 2006 on Square Lake in Lake Orion, it has all the things to enjoy the water, great views and a beautiful home to relax and entertain. Colonial with three bedrooms and three half baths, formal dining room, great room with high ceilings and fireplace, hardwood floors, granite kitchen, stainless steel appliances, butlers pantry. First floor study, finished lower level walkout full kitchen.

Second floor laundry. Full house generator. 213049927 Presented by Donna Barlow

Birmingham $598,000

Farmington Hills $257,000

Lovely home with open floor plan in walking distance to downtown. Many wonderful features include; finished third floor recreation room, kitchen with cherry cabinets, island and granite counters, spacious master suite with fireplace. Finished lower level with 4th bedroom and egress window, bath and wet bar. Gorgeous dark hardwood floors on first and second levels. Unfinished/roughed in second story above garage.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213050736 Presented by Paula Law

Gorgeous free standing Condo in sought after Essex Club. Fresh paint, new carpet and hardwood floors on entry and in Corian kitchen. Stainless appliances, casual dining leads to private deck. Great room with fireplace.

Lovely master suite with vaulted ceiling, dressing area, jacuzzi tub and shower.

Finished daylight lower level with office, family room and plenty of storage.

Great location! Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213057317 Presented by Michelle Yurich & Susan Kissick

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Bloomfield Hills $599,000 Amazing home with views of Oakland Hills and the signature 16th hole. Spacious and airy, this home is drenched with natural light showing off the gorgeous 5" plank oak floors. Redone in 2010. Kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances. Large open floor plan ideal for entertaining, yet has cozy reading areas for getting away. Family room in back of the house has a wall of sliding glass doors to backyard, two tiered deck. Beautiful views looking onto park like yard. Four bedrooms with three baths. 213054039 Presented by Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

Birmingham $449,000

Oakland Township $429,900

Sophisticated and sleek totally updated in town home. Gorgeous kitchen with granite, stainless and the finest cabinets, hardwood floors throughout and open floor plan. Elegant master suite with walk in closets and abundant storage. This home is in a great location just steps from the park and town. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213043452 Presented by Renee Lossia Acho

Beautiful custom built Cape Cod home on 3.8 acres, plus partially fenced and wooded setting for an up north feeling! Two story foyer with hardwood floors.

2012 updated granite kitchen with new cook top stove in center island. Large eating area in kitchen, formal dining room, great room with fireplace that leads to a bright four season room plus a first floor study. Master suite has second floor balcony with California closets. New tear off roof 2012. Finished basement with full bath.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213055634 Presented by Donna Barlow

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Cass Lake Frontage $579,000 Eastern exposure with 75 feet of lake frontage. Two story Contemporary built in 1985. Vaulted great room, skylights, flowing open floor plan, large galley kitchen, hardwood and ceramic floors, hand painted Mexican tiled sinks and countertops in two baths. Two furnaces, two gas fireplaces, vaulted 20 x 23 master bedroom suite. All glass four seasons Florida room facing the lake. West Bloomfield Schools. Four bedrooms with three baths.

213031002 Presented by RW Watson

Royal Oak $485,000

Troy $369,900

This Royal Oak home is a 10! RENOVATED to perfection! Remodeled kitchen with KitchenAid appliances, cherry cabinets, granite, cabinet lighting. All baths completely remodeled. All new trim and doors. Finished recreation room with built in entertainment center and gas fireplace. Bedroom four/workout room.

Hardwood floors, newer furnace and air, hot water heater, all new windows and doors. B-dry basement. First floor laundry. Too many amenities to list. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213046007 Presented by Kay Hartwell

Weston Downs original model featuring all the builders upgrades. Private courtyard to beautiful entry. Hardwood floors, 9 ft ceilings, custom upgraded cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms. Granite and stainless appliances. First floor master suite. First floor laundry. Great room with cathedral ceilings, fireplace with slate hearth and mantel. Two car attached garage. Sprinklers, outdoor lighting and ground maintenance. This home has it all with the finest appointments. 213006896 Presented by Erin Keating Dewald

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FACES

Jack Aronson

J

ack Aronson was first exposed to extraordinary food while living in Ferndale. He created Garden Fresh Gourmet with his wife Annette, and the Bloomfield Hills residents have since won hundreds of awards for their popular chips, salsa, dips and hummus.

Aronson and his wife both grew up in Ferndale where they went to junior high together. “Early on, I was really interested in eating. My mother's best friend, who lived next door, was from Lebanon and I grew up with terrific Arabic cuisine before it was as popular as it is now,” he said.

At Arkansas State University, Aronson was pre-med, on the basketball team, and worked in the cafeteria. “There was a bunch of middle aged women who worked there that fed us relentlessly. They wanted to make sure we had enough to eat. I think I gained 20 pounds my first year of college.”

Returning to Michigan, Aronson married young and decided to work in restaurants instead of returning to college. A few years later, he divorced and opened Rocky's Pizza in Ferndale in the early 1980s. “I sold that and years later opened Clubhouse BBQ on Woodward in Ferndale, and that's where I started making the salsa a couple years later.”

His combined love of hot sauces and an appreciation of fresh food ensured his success in the salsa business. “I started making it in pints and it became extremely popular,” he said. Hiller's Market approached Aronson, requesting to sell his salsa in their markets.

In 2002, Aronson opened Garden Fresh Gourmet's Ferndale plant where the salsa, chips, dips and hummus are made. The brand has grown from being sold at 78 stores to being sold at over 10,000 stores all over the

United States, in Puerto Rico, South Korea, and soon in Europe. “My wife and I built this together and we have five children in the business. She was right there alongside me the whole trip.”

Aronson supports the community through a number of charities and organizations, including the Salvation Army's Bed & Bread Club, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Children's Hospital of Michigan.

“The biggest thing is about giving back to the community. That's what we're proudest of,” he said.

The salsa and fresh food guru has no plans to sell the company he has built from the ground up. “Those things aren't important. You realize how special what you have is. Money can't buy being able to work with your family and being able to give back to the community. That's become our big purpose,” he said. “To be able to accomplish something on a national scale where you grew up in your own back yard is really special for my wife and I.” The Aronsons, who have lived in Bloomfield Hills for 10 years, recently bought a second home in Ferndale to be closer to the plant and their hometown.

Next on Aronson's agenda is making ready-to-eat stuffed turkey and chicken burgers that are all natural and last 60 days.

“I see us being able to make restaurant-style proteins with extended shelf life. That is our venture we're working on right now,” he said. The first order of Jack's Special Grilled is being sent to Costco in July.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Mike Griffin

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BIKE CLUBS NEW RULES OF THE ROAD: THE RISE OF BIKING

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

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iding a bike is easy once you forget the fear of falling: start with both feet on the ground, give yourself a push and keep moving forward.

Learning to stay balanced takes some time at first, but the stability lasts a lifetime. It's a wonderful life lesson.

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The rise in bike clubs and riding events over the past decade has helped to create a cycling community that is influencing the way many people think and live, including how municipalities are considering reconfiguring roads and streets. From public safety to infrastructure planning, “bicycle friendly” discussions are being held at state and local levels.

“Cycling is my passion now,” said Steve Frank of Birmingham, an endurance rider and coach for three local clubs and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.

“What I really love about cycling is that it’s not hard on your body. You can do it forever.”

As a personal and business coach, Frank said he rides with cyclists who range from men and women in their 20’s to those in their 70’s.

Most who use cycling do so as a form of social networking. “It’s an active, social sport,” he said. “It really has, in a way, become the new golf.”

Birmingham business owner and racing aficionado Jeff Surnow decided to shift gears from running to cycling a decade ago, about the time he turned 50. Pain in his knees and lower back from years of running eventually caused him to retire from running and get in the saddle.

“Running was no longer in the cards for me, so I started biking, and I ended up liking it more,” Surnow said.

By visiting area bike shops, local groups and through word of mouth, Surnow said he began to learn about the different aspects of the sport.

From there, he said it wasn’t hard to determine what type of riding and opportunities he found interesting.

“You can find a ride every day of the year,” he said. “And I mean everyday, regardless of weather – there is someone who will ride. … It can be as competitive or as social and friendly as you want it to be. It covers every level of ability. That’s what makes it so much fun.

Everyone can have a great time.”

Beginners may want to start with a “nodrop” ride, which fosters a more casual atmosphere than competitive training rides. No drop rides allow for a slower pace to ensure all the participants finish the event, regardless of how long it takes to complete. Group rides for advanced cyclists may require members to keep a minimum speed or risk being separated from the pack; more competitive rides will have bikes moving as fast as possible with the purpose of dropping slower cyclists.

“Once you get involved in it and learn all the aspects, it’s pretty easy to grasp,” Surnow said.

“Then you can pick which of those you like. As your interest changes, you can do different types of rides. That’s what happened to me, I started riding one way, and now there are just a lot of different variations on the rides, it makes it a lot of fun.”

Surnow’s passion for cycling eventually led him to organize an annual bike race through downtown Birmingham featuring professional and amateur racers. Now in its third year, the event has morphed from a race to benefit local charities to a full-out festival.

The Third Annual Birmingham Bike Festival

will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 25 at Shain Park. Races throughout the day include events for boys and girls as young as 10 years old, as well as different categories for men and women based on ability and age.

Special to this and next year’s race line-up is the Michigan State Criterium Championship for men. The one-day race awards a winner with the MSCC title for a year and a special jersey only he can wear.

Surnow, said about 4,000 people attended last year’s festival, with this year’s MSCC Championship race expected to draw substantially more visitors.

Nina Tocco, coordinator for the festival, said about $12,000 was raised in 2012 for area charities and non-profit groups, including the Make A Wish Foundation of Michigan Wish A Mile Bike Tour; Michigan Tour deCure for the American Diabetes Association; D2N (Detroit to Nepal); Cerebral Palsy Research at Mott Children’s Hospital; MIU Men’s Health Foundation; and the Wolverine Sports Club, a bicycling racing/touring and speed skating club that helps to put on the race event.

Birmingham Deputy Police Chief Mark Clemence said the city’s parks may be a draw for many cyclists. Many may choose to meet in

THE RISE IN BIKE CLUBS AND RIDING EVENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE HAS HELPED TO CREATE A CYCLING COMMUNITY THAT IS INFLUENCING THE WAY MANY PEOPLE THINK AND LIVE Birmingham for a ride because of the proximity and availability of parking facilities. Despite a noticeable increase in club riders in the area, he said there haven’t been any increases in complaints or accidents.

“Bike clubs have pretty good riders who are cognizant of the traffic situations,” he said.

Likewise, motorists are becoming more aware of cyclists as numbers increase. “Most drivers feel like the road belongs to them, but they are giving it up gradually, and grudgingly,” Clemence noted.

Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner said a draft of the city’s multi-modal transportation plan now being reviewed by the public includes considerable options to accommodate bikers. The plan, which aims to set forth a vision to improve and expand transit options in the city for people who walk, run, bike or drive, is scheduled to be reviewed at the July 10 planning board meeting and at a city commission meeting this summer.

“I see them all over town,” Bruner said of bicyclists in Birmingham, “everything from the road racers with their spandex, biking in groups, all the way down to families with young children.”

The multi-modal plan includes funding for

bicycle infrastructure, but the majority of money is devoted to pedestrian improvements.

“Frankly, a lot of bicycle improvements are cheap and easy,” he said. “That stuff is not expensive – it’s lane markings and things like that.”

Improvements include changing four-lane roads to three, with a center lane turn lane, and adding bike lanes in either direction, increasing the overall number of bike lanes in the city, adding buffered bike lanes and shared lane markings. Planners are also seeking to add an enclosed and secure bike storage room with key card access at the Pierce Street parking deck, and if popular, at other parking decks.

Planning bicycle improvements is a fairly new concept for the city in comparison to features for pedestrians, which have helped the city gain national attention as one of the most walkable suburbs in the country.

“When I became city manager two years ago, it was brought to my attention that we didn’t have any bike racks downtown,” Bruner said. “We didn’t have any place to park bikes.

So, we installed bike racks last year around downtown. That was one small step that we took to make our community a little more bicycle friendly. This plan is really the next big step in that regard.”

The League of American Bicyclists annual ranking of Bicycle Friendly States placed Michigan at 12th in the nation in 2013, up from 19th in 2012. However, Bloomfield Township Police Sgt. Craig Shackleford said motorists and cyclists still need to increase safety awareness as communities expand infrastructure.

“The driving public needs to be more educated about the privileges of bicyclists on the roadway,” he said. “A lot of motorists don’t get it. Motorists don’t think bicyclists have the right to the roadway that they do.”

Likewise, Shackleford said there are members of the cycling community who don’t follow all the rules of the road that they should, commonly failing to stop at red lights and stop signs. Large club rides often bring out violators, since many riders don’t want to slow the pace of the ride by waiting at red lights or stop signs.

When observed, violations are ticketed, he said.

Issues regarding lane privileges arise along Lone Pine Road and others without a paved shoulder, where large groups of cyclists can make it difficult for motorists to pass. “A bike could get caught in there and it could create a conflict,” Shackleford said. “We do get complaints from time to time.”

While most complaints in the township stem from areas where bicycles and motorist interact, Shackleford said bicycling on sidewalks or safety paths can pose dangers to cyclists and pedestrians.

While Bloomfield Township is completing a township-wide safety path program, Bloomfield Hills has no safety paths, and leaders there intend to keep it that way. The areas of Bloomfield Hills along Woodward have no safety paths, unlike stretches of Woodward in Bloomfield Township or Birmingham.

JJ Benkert, who lives along such a stretch of Woodward in Bloomfield Hills, is an advocate for bicycle pathways in the area. Benkert, 70,

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said she recently purchased a bicycle and would like to ride it to Birmingham during the summer.

“I used to bike, but I was never one of these crazy bikers in these packs that go all over,” she said. “I just biked for pleasure, basically. That’s sort of why I want to do it again. I was beginning to see more and more bikers and people walking and trying to navigate along Woodward to points unknown during the winter, spring, summer and fall, and I just was concerned to be honest with you,” Benkert said.

“I felt that we, as a city, need to work together to create a safe environment for everyone who lives here. I sort of started with Bloomfield Hills.”

Benkert said that when she began investigating the issue, she found survey results that indicated very few residents were willing to approve a millage to construct more walking and bike paths in the city. As planning processes change, she said she hopes the city may re-evaluate the issue.

“It’s not just young people that want to ride, it’s everyone that wants to ride,” she said.

“Some people will get to the point that they can’t drive a car, but they want to get some place. I think it’s an important thing. Personally, I would like to hop on my bike, go out my condo and go up to Birmingham … have dinner and ride back. Right now, it’s not safe to ride on Woodward.”

In the mean time, she has signed up for the Birmingham Bike Festival, participating in a women's category for those with no experience.

Planning and building policies known as “Complete Streets,” are intended to provide equal convenience and accessibility to pedestrians of all ages and abilities, bicyclists, transit users and drivers. Complete Streets, also known as livable streets, is a federal initiative adopted by the city of Birmingham, as well as 50 other communities in Michigan.

Complete Streets' policies are designed and operated to enable safe access to streets for all users, whether they drive, ride their bike, walk, or use public transportation. Proponents of complete streets policies say the initiative can improve safety, lower transportation costs, provide cost-effective alternatives to private cars, encourage health through walking and biking, create a sense of place, improve social interaction, and improve adjacent property values. A study to create a plan that would apply to all 27 miles of Woodward Avenue is currently being conducted by the Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3). The plan will include input by the Michigan Department of Transportation; M1 Rail; SEMCOG; local municipalities along the stretch of Woodward from 8 Mile Road to Pontiac; as well as cycling advocacy groups.

The goal of the project is to ensure that the road functions in a way that includes all users, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper.

Birmingham resident and Farmington Hills lawyer Richard Bernstein, who was hospitalized for 10 weeks after being struck in August 2012 by a cyclist in New York City's Central Park

while walking, said communities like Birmingham and Bloomfield should use well thought-out plans before rushing to implement new infrastructure.

“We tend to group bicyclists with pedestrians, and we can’t,” Bernstein said.

“They are completely separate entities. Bikes and pedestrians really have to be segregated the same way that pedestrians and autos have to be segregated. It gets very dangerous when you start having bicyclists and pedestrians all together, especially when the bicyclists are going at a fast rate of speed.

“Everyone has to respect each other and work with each other, but I think what people have to realize is that bicycles can really do damage,” he said. “In my situation, I was in the hospital for 10 weeks. We’re not talking about rehab; we’re talking about being in the hospital for 10 weeks. The whole left side of my body was shattered."

Bernstein said he was walking on a pedestrian safety path entering Central Park when he was struck by a bicyclist who failed to stop at a traffic light. The safety path, he said, crosses an oval or loop around Central Park. The loop is divided into three lanes, one each for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. The problem,

WHILE BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP IS COMPLETING A TOWNSHIP-WIDE SAFETY PATH, BLOOMFIELD HILLS HAS NO SAFETY PATHS, AND LEADERS THERE INTEND TO KEEP IT THAT WAY he alleges, is that bicyclists traveling in the loop often fail to stop for traffic signals and the city and its administration are failing to enforce traffic laws for cyclists who violate.

“You have to distinguish between bicyclists who are just out for a ride and very respectful – the vast majority are very respectful of each other, they want to have a nice ride and a good experience, so they respect and share the road and the park,” he said. “The challenge that has developed in Central Park is with the racers.

These are people that use Central Park as their own personal Tour de France.

“The person who hit me was going over 35 mph. You have people that are going at incredibly excessive rates of speed, so if the light turns to red, they can’t stop. … The issue in New York is that people are continuing to get hurt within Central Park on a continuing basis because there is simply no enforcement.

Ultimately, if you have a system where people can’t cross into the park in a safe manner – and the tourists think it’s safe to walk, because the sign says ‘walk,’ so they assume it’s safe to go because it’s a universal understanding, but only the New Yorkers know that the bicyclists aren’t going to stop. The bikes think the people are

going to move out of the way, or it’s their responsibility to get out of the way, or look for them, so you continue to have horrible collisions and huge injuries.”

With more cyclists using Birmingham and Bloomfield as a meeting ground for rides and a rise in bicycle clubs in the area, Bernstein said issues like the one in New York could become local if traffic laws aren’t enforced properly or new infrastructure is implemented too quickly.

“You have situations where cities and municipalities are in such a race to put in bike lanes – which is fine, no one objects to that – but they put these bike lanes in overnight and there isn’t any kind of training or education or understanding on how to use the bike lanes.

So, the autos, the cars, don’t really know what to do with a bike lane. The pedestrians don’t really know what to do with a bike lane; the bicyclists don’t really know what to do with a bike lane.

“In Birmingham and Bloomfield, I think the issue is that at the end of the day, bicyclists need to be treated as if they are vehicles. I think that’s very important, in terms of rules and regulations and enforcement. Bicyclists must be treated in the same context, in the same way that a vehicle is. Which means any type of signage, any type of lighting, anything that goes on in terms of rules or regulations that apply to vehicles, should apply to a bike. If the bicyclist does not follow the traffic rules the same way he or she would be required to do so if they were operating a vehicle, they should be held to the same standard.

Otherwise, it’s just like what is happening in Central Park.”

Bernstein, who is legally blind and a disabled rights advocate, is not pursing any action against the cyclist that struck him.

Instead, Bernstein filed suit against New York City, claiming the city is failing to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide safe access to the park for all.

“When you basically have a race track that goes around the park, there’s simply no way to get in,” he said. “If the cars stop, but the bikes don’t, how does a blind person get into the park? It’s impossible, you can’t do it. How does a wheelchair user get into the park?”

In filing suit against New York City, Bernstein said he hopes to have the city and its administration address enforcement issues.

One option he said he proposed to the city was to have crossing guards at specific locations around the park. The plan, he said, could be paid for with private foundation funds, which he said have already been identified. However, Bernstein said he hasn’t had any response from the city’s administration.

“I think it’s important to note that people who have gone through very intense and significant trauma, they don’t get better, they just adjust,” he said. “You get to a point where you really have to say you really can’t spend your time trying to get over it, you have to focus on just getting on with it.”

Sharing the road and respecting the rights of all its users. It's the ultimate 21st century goal, whether cyclists are recreational, part of a team, or competing.

CITY/ TOWNSHIP Pension funded with bond sale

By Lisa Brody

A change in state law has allowed Bloomfield Township to borrow money to sell bonds in order to fully fund the township pension fund and township trustees voted on May 28 to issue pension obligation bonds.

Township supervisor Leo Savoie said the township has been exploring the possibility of issuing bonds to cover unfunded pension liabilities since late 2012, “when Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law to allow municipalities and counties the ability to bond for unfunded pension liabilities.”

The state's requirement is that the municipality or county must have a bond rating of at least AA, and have to have closed their defined benefit benefit plan. Standard & Poor's reaffirmed Bloomfield Township's AAA long-term rating.

Bloomfield Township's pension fund is handled by Prudential, and Savoie said that as recently as three years ago, Prudential reviewed the township's funds, and basing their assumptions on the 2000 census mortality table, with a 7 percent return, felt the pension was about 82 percent funded, and if the township continued to pay in $5.2 million a year for 20 years, they would be able to take care of all of the township's retirees and current employees who are still part of a defined benefits plan.

“Fast forward three years, and their view has changed,” Savoie said.

Using updated data, Prudential reviewed the township pension fund again this year, using 2010 census mortality tables, and noted that it will only return 5.2 percent.

“Suddenly, it went from 82 percent funded to 61 percent funded,” Savoie said. “We have about $130 million in the pension fund. About $122 million is handled by Prudential; the other $8 million is in equities.”

Instead of $8 million, by issuing pension obligation bonds, they would then have $80 to $85 million in equities. Borrowing levels are at 4 percent, Savoie noted, “So our payments are at $6 million per year for 20 years. The ultimate risk is if the investment pool does not make a minimum of 4 percent. When I go downtownpublications.com

Township to hold meetings on bonds

B

loomfield Township will hold two town hall meetings to discuss with the public the township's plan to sell bonds to meet pension obligations.

Both meetings will be led by township Supervisor Leo Savoie, where the public can freely ask questions in a back-and-forth conversational setting. The meetings will both be held at township hall. The first was scheduled for June 26; the second will be Tuesday, July 9, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Savoie has also taped a cable show, which will be shown on Bloomfield Cable channel 15, on the pension bond obligations, explaining exactly what they are, how township government and legal experts believe they are a beneficial tool to meet both pension debt commitments and save the township taxpayers money.

A change in state law has allowed Bloomfield Township to borrow money to sell bonds in order to fully fund their pension fund and to diversify their portfolio with the assumption that investment returns will offset risks.

Savoie said the township has been exploring the possibility of issuing bonds to cover unfunded pension liabilities since late 2012, “when Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law to allow municipalities and counties the ability to bond for unfunded pension liabilities.”

The state's requirement is that the municipality or county must have a bond rating of at least AA, and have to have closed their defined benefit benefit plan. Standard & Poor's reaffirmed Bloomfield Township's AAA long-term rating.

Instead of $8 million, by issuing pension obligation bonds, they would then have $80 to $85 million in equities. Borrowing levels are at 4 percent, Savoie noted, “So our payments are at $6 million per year for 20 years. The ultimate risk is if the investment pool does not make a minimum of 4 percent. When I go back over the results of the plan for the last 10 years, the plan has an average of at least 6 percent.”

“We currently have about $130 million. If we borrow $80 million, we will have $210 to invest. With a 6.25 percent rate of return, it will completely satisfy our liabilities, and we will no longer need to make any contributions to our pension fund, only to repay the bond payments,” said township finance director Ray Perkins. “If we didn't sell the bonds, we would have the expense of $10 million a year to fund the pension fund. That was going to be tough to do.

This way it's only $6 million a year. And we will realize a $60 million saving over 20 years by doing this. That's an average $3 million a year savings to taxpayers.”

He emphasized how important it would be that the township would not have an unfunded pension liability responsibility any longer. “We will have $40 million less of a liability on our balance sheet.”

back over the results of the plan for the last 10 years, the plan has an average of at least 6 percent.”

“We currently have about $130 million. If we borrow $80 million, plus up to $5 million to process the bonds, we will have $210 to invest.

With a 6.25 percent rate of return, it will completely satisfy our liabilities, and we will no longer need to make any contributions to our pension fund, only to repay the bond payments,” said township finance director Ray Perkins. “If we didn't sell the bonds, we would have the

expense of $10 million a year to fund the pension fund. That was going to be tough to do. This way it's only $6 million a year. And we will realize a $60 million saving over 20 years by doing this. That's an average $3 million a year savings to taxpayers.”

He emphasized how important it would be that the township would not have an unfunded pension liability responsibility any longer.

“We will have $40 million less of a liability on our balance sheet.” The bonds would be paid off in 20 years.

DOWNTOWN

Savoie said they met with their equity and investment advisors, Gregory J. Schwartz & Co. Inc. in Bloomfield Township, “who believe, that along with our investment plan with Prudential, bonding will yield between 8.5 percent to 9.75 percent over the long term, if you have that money in equities in weighted blends.”

An unfunded defined benefit pension is one where no assets are set aside, and the benefits for retirees are paid for by the employer, usually with benefits paid directly from current workers' contributions and taxes. The state law only allows municipalities or counties to bond for unfunded liabilities.

“The option is, do we sell these bonds or don't we,” Perkins said. “It's a huge savings – $3 million a year. It really helps Bloomfield Township, and it has the potential to save the township, and taxpayers, a lot of money.”

In the Park concerts return to Shain Park In the Park Summer Concerts, a fixture in Birmingham for 33 years, has returned once again to Shain Park in downtown Birmingham.

It began on June 14 with a Battle of the Bands, followed by concerts every Wednesday evening through August 14, with the exception of Wednesday, July 3.

The free concert series is a treasured tradition in Birmingham, where young and old join together on the lawn of the park to enjoy live music. A variety of genres to fit all musical tastes will be featured throughout the summer, including jazz, country, soul, children's music, Motown, Top '40s, '50s and '60s favorites, among other favorites.

“The committee has been working hard to offer another excellent season of In the Park Summer Concerts,” said Lauren Wood, Birmingham Director of Public Services. “We’re featuring a nice variety of bands and music genres from many groups who are new to our concert series.”

A special Birmingham Cruise Event Car Preview will be held in conjunction with the final concert on Wednesday, August 14. Seating is on the lawn; attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chair and picnic spread.

All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

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Theater has drink restrictions lifted

By Lisa Brody

Food Fair at Adams Square Thursdays If you can't get enough of locallygrown food and enjoy shopping at fresh air food markets, Birmingham now has a second farmer’s market, the Adams Square Food Fair, in the parking lot of the Adams Square shopping center on Adams in Birmingham.

The Food Fair debuted June 6 and will run on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. through August 26.

Tina Yancy, owner of Great Harvest Bread Company at Adams and Lincoln in Birmingham, is the spokesperson for the food fair. "It's a group of local food producers and food growers offering organic produce, meats, bread and dairy,” she said. “It's another opportunity for Birmingham people to do something on Birmingham nights. You can make it a date night.”

Local musicians will join local farmers and other producers, some of whom also participate in Birmingham's Farmers Market on Sundays. “We also participate with the farmers market,” Yancy said, “and some of the others do as well. But that's on Sundays. This is completely food-focused.”

In addition to food vendors, the food fair will have food trucks, including Green Zebra, offering new American gourmet food, and Ned's Travel Burger, which will grill up organic meat from one of the booths.

“This will be one more thing in Birmingham you can walk to,” Yancy said. “I'm of the mindset I want to know where my food is coming from.”

Sewer work being done at Linden Park The Oakland County Water Resources Commission (OCWRC) began a planned sewer reconstruction project at Linden Park in Birmingham, and portions of the Linden Park trail system are closed between Maple and Linden Park for the duration of the project.

Lauren Wood, director of public services for Birmingham, said it's an Oakland County project, without additional expenses to Birmingham, “which we're supporting and promoting. It's a simple project.”

The primary purpose of the project

is to protect portions of the EvergreenFarmington Sanitary Interceptor Sewer that has been exposed due to erosive forces of the Rouge River, which flows through the park. According to OCWRC, major work items include the installation of steel sheeting with natural treatments such as logs, small boulders and vegetative plantings, and the construction of a new manhole with approximately 20 feet of eightinch diameter sanitary sewer pipe.

Approximately four to six trees are anticipated to be removed from the work area, but new trees will be added to the park and trail area along the banks for stabilization.

Wood said the project goes until the end of December 2013, but the majority of the work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Library offering magazine download Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library is offering a new downloadable magazine service called Zinio, which is available through the library's website, www.baldwinlib.org/zinio, to all of Baldwin's library patrons.

Baldwin Public Library offers library services to residents of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Bloomfield Hills.

According to Matt Church, associate library director, Zinio is considered the world's largest newsstand, offering simultaneous access to library patrons to close to 100 complete digital magazines which can be viewed from a computer, tablet, or any mobile device.

“Zinio is a cutting-edge service that we’re sure our patrons will love.

We know people want more content available on the go and Zinio helps to meet that demand,” said Church.

Zinio offers a unique technology which can digitally recreate a magazine page for page, including full color photos. It offers navigation, key word search, and interactive elements which include audio and video. Popular titles offered on the service include Rolling Stone, Newsweek, O, The Oprah Magazine, Esquire, Runner's World, and many other popular titles. Patrons can access Zinio remotely, or by coming into the library for assistance.

Church said Zinio was awarded best new database of 2012 by Library Journal.

A

fter a lengthy discussion and two prior failed motions at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 28, Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously voted to lift the restriction on the Maple Theater of only permitting theatergoers to imbibe of alcoholic drinks, provided that if there is any contract breach, the township may reinstitute the patron only restriction at a later date.

Jonathan Goldstein, the owner of the Maple Theaters in Bloomfield Township, had come before the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, May 13, to request that the board lift the restrictions on the theater's liquor license, but the item was tabled until the May 28 meeting in order to receive a policy determination from the township's attorney, Bill Hampton, as well as to receive reports from township planner Patti Voelker on parking concerns and if there would be the ability for the theater to expand their food operations into a restaurant, as Goldstein mentioned at the May 13 meeting.

Savoie pointed out that parking was adequate, and that “the restaurant kitchen does not really have the ability to expand much beyond it's original proposal for food services. It cannot expand to a full restaurant.”

In the original approval of the theater's liquor license, at the board of trustees meeting on June 25, 2012, the Maple Theaters’ owners and trustees agreed the theater would only serve alcohol to patrons who had purchased a ticket to see a movie at one of the theater's three theaters, and they agreed to a six-month probationary period after the owners received their license from the state and began serving alcohol, after which the township and trustees would review the license and determine whether or not to extend the liquor license to anyone walking in the theater's doors.

The theater has currently been operational for about eight months.

Goldstein provided trustees with an operational breakdown for the theater's first months of operating, where there were $1.063 million in revenues, of which more than $700,000 came from theater tickets. Township supervisor Leo Savoie noted that $58,000 were from alcohol sales, or about 5 percent of revenue. “I'd like to point out that $109,000 came from popcorn sales,” he said.

Attorney Hampton said the ordinance permitted the trustees to keep the restriction on only sales to theatergoers; remove the restriction; or “make some other decision as they deem appropriate.”

The theater's contract permits no more than two drinks per person with a wristband.

Trustee Corinne Khederian stated, “I visited the theater, and it cannot be operated as a restaurant. It's very limited, with just a microwave and a toaster oven. He has created a very nice coffee shop, both indoors and out, and I am in favor of lifting the restrictions.”

Trustee Neal Barnett concurred. “I think Mr. Goldstein has done a fantastic job with these theaters. It's a great meeting place. It's not a bar. We should be applauding what he's brought into the township.”

Township clerk Jan Roncelli also applauded Goldstein, but added a note of caution. “I thought your business concept for the coffee shop was ingenious, but you need to tighten up the carding and the wristbands. The restrictions have not been very tight,” she noted. “There have been incidents where people have not been going to the movies or who have not been ID'd.”

The first motion proposed, to lift the restriction on moviegoers only for one year, and then review it, failed for lack of support. A second motion, to lift the restriction with review, also failed for lack of support. A third motion, to remove the restriction for patrons only, permitting the board to bring it back for review with a unanimous vote of the board if one of provisions is materially breached, passed unanimously.

Anyone coming in seeking a drink will need to wear a wristband and will be limited to two drinks.

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Learn more at

autismspeaks.org/signs Some signs to look for:

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© 2012 Autism Speaks Inc. "Autism Speaks" and "It's time to listen" & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. The person depicted is a model and is used for illustrative purposes only.

108

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Bloomfield home with new windows, hardwood floors, crown moldings, soaring vaulted ceilings, recessed lights, winding staircase up & down w/wrought iron rails, 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 3 half baths, 4 custom fireplaces, granite in kitchen & island & granite bathrooms. Library w/bookshelves, large deck off breakfast room, master $649,000 bedroom w/sitting room.

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP Office/retail building site plan approved

By Lisa Brody

A request for a final site plan and lot split for parcels of land on Telegraph Road at the southwest corner of Square Lake Road for a proposed office retail development by A.R. Jonna Company was unanimously approved by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees at their regular board meeting on Tuesday, May 28.

A public hearing was held at the meeting to consider the traffic flow and services the developer was seeking.

The developer, Arkan Jonna, purchased the office buildings at 2510, 2520, and 2550 Telegraph Road, over the last few years, with the goal to create an office and retail complex.

The building at the corner, which is a two-story office building, was rezoned in 2006 to permit Fred Astaire of Bloomfield, dance studio, which was considered retail, to operate on the second floor. The parcel is now zoned office retail. The other two parcels, which currently have two-story office buildings on them, are zoned just office.

Township planning director Patti Voelker explained that Jonna requested a lot split from one of the properties to another in order to adjust the lot line. The lot split, which was approved unanimously by trustees, attached .44 acres from one site to the other, but did not alter any plans for the development. Voelker

Multi-modal plan still needs work

By Lisa Brody

B

irmingham city commissioners and planning board members who met at a joint workshop session on Monday, June 10, reviewed a draft of the multi-modal transportation plan prepared by The Greenway Collective in Ann Arbor, and determined the plan still needs more work.

“How do we implement it and sell it to 20,000 people – 19,500 of whom have no interest in it?” asked commissioner Gordon Rinschler.

Rinschler also criticized the plan for being overly bicycle-centered at the expense of motorized

said the site plan for the entire combined office retail development sits on 7.28 acres and does not require any rezoning.

“For this parcel to be in conformance to the township's standards, all three of these parcels must be combined,” Voelker told trustees. “Our master plan calls for office and office retail as uses for this overlay district. In this district, permissible office hours could be seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.”

On April 15, the township's planning commission unanimously approved the TelSquare office retail project and sent it to the township board of trustees for final site plan approval following months of contentious conversations with neighboring residents. Since late 2012, some residents in neighboring communities “have been up in arms,” according to township supervisor Leo Savoie. “Jonna's original proposal was to move the building back from Square Lake Road, creating parking in front, but he would need rezoning for that. We had about 100 residents show up at a planning meeting.”

The proposal was tabled, and Jonna redesigned the complex to not require any rezoning. The approximately 20,000 square foot project, which will have about 450 parking spaces, 50 more than required, is now positioned on the property closer to Square Lake Road, with parking to the rear, closer to local neighborhoods.

Bloomfield Township attorney William Hampton informed Savoie

transportation and pedestrianfocused. “I voted for Greenway because they said it wouldn't be a bike plan – and this is a bike plan,” he pointed out. “It doesn't talk about any motorized transportation or any parking. I expected some lip service to it. There was too much on the selling it – we need to walk before we run. We don't need to promote a lifestyle, so this doesn't become an advocacy of a lifestyle rather than reacting to a need.”

He questioned how they handle the inherent conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, and cyclists and cars, especially at intersections. “It was like this was written by two different guys, a pedestrian guy and a bicyclist guy,” he noted.

that since Jonna does not need any zoning variances, if the project were not approved because neighbors do not want it, he would rightly sue the township for damages, “and the damages would be egregious,” Savoie said. “We met with all three of the neighborhood associations, and I told them I will not vote against it because it is not in the best interest of the township to do that.”

At the trustees meeting, a few residents continued to contest the development. “There have been a half-dozen meetings, and I see that none of the residents support this building. Does one owner's property rights supersede all of the others?” asked one resident.

Savoie responded, “We listen, and we will continue to listen. As to Mr. Jonna's rights, he has certain rights because he has not asked for a single variance. It may be an improvement to what is there. All parties have rights. Mr. Jonna is not asking for anything that is not in our ordinances.”

Township clerk Jan Roncelli asked Jonna what his timeline was for the project, and Jonna said, “Almost instantaneously once we get this cleaned up and get construction drawings done.”

In an unusual occurrence, about three-quarters of the way through the presentation and discussion on the final site plan and lot split, trustee Brian Kepes turned to Savoie and said quietly, “I often work with Mr. Jonna, but not on this project, so I shouldn't have any conflicts.”

Savoie responded, “OK,” and

Planning board member Scott Clein pointed out, “We're designing things in ways that are proven to be safer, rather than trying to create a lifestyle.” Rinschler said that the document should reflect that.

Planning board member Janelle Whipple-Boyce also expressed disappointment in the draft of the plan, noting that it did not have certain items included that had been discussed.

There was also discussion about making the steering committee into a standing committee in order to implement the plan as road work comes about, and to make recommendations about road reconstruction that would be consistent with the plan before it

continued with the meeting, not addressing any potential conflict of interest between the parties, nor did he request that Kepes recuse himself from the votes. No other board member responded to the issue, either.

Input sought on transportation plan Lots of work is being done to create a multi-modal transportation plan for the city of Birmingham, to improve and expand the transit options for those who walk, run, bike or drive in and around Birmingham and input of community members is being sought on the plan through Friday, June 28, by visiting http://bit.ly/13sTxhC to view the inprocess documents.

There has already been a lot of public input, from an online survey which sought details on how residents and visitors utilize the streets of Birmingham; a community visioning workshop and preliminary plan open house. A draft of the plan, appendix, network map and downtown map are now available at the website for members of the public to review. Comments will be reviewed and addressed at a public hearing at the July 10 planning board meeting and at a city commission meeting later this summer.

For more information on the multi-modal plan, contact Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker at 248.530.1841.

comes to the city commission and to the bidding process, which city manager Bob Bruner noted is when it is time to execute the plan, not make late changes.

Another concern, over the pedestrian crossings at various areas on Woodward Avenue, was not addressed in the plan. Ecker said that is because “Woodward is a state road and the city does not have control over it.”

“I'm looking at a macro view,” Rinschler said. “It doesn't have a lot of substance for the motorized transportation segment. Capacity issues are not dealt with, and speeding has nothing to do with capacity. Our radius is that cars are still coming in, and you have to have cars coming in and out.”

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Transitional zoning discussed at meeting

By Lisa Brody

T

Baldwin design contract awarded Birmingham city commissioners in late May unanimously voted to award a contract to Quinn Evans Architects to begin design schematics for renovation and addition work for the Baldwin Public Library.

In March, the joint library building committee, of which three city commissioners were members, sent out a request for proposal (RFP) for architectural services. The RFP was to permit architectural firms to develop a reasonable and affordable proposal based on the community's wish list; estimate the cost of the proposal; and provide architectural renderings and materials necessary to convey their proposal. The committee received five RFPs, and determined that Quinn Evans, with offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Washington DC, and Madison, Wisconsin, best met the criteria the committee was seeking.

“They have a strong team with expertise in buildings, libraries and interior design,” city manager Bob Bruner told the commission. “They have had previous experience with the Michigan State Capital, Library of Congress, Kingswood School, Bloomfield Township Public Library, Howell Carnegie Library, Grosse Pointe Woods Library, West Bloomfield Library, and other buildings. If the contract is approved now, work (on schematics and design) will formally begin in June and be completed in December. Then the city commission and library board will decide whether to go forward.”

To date, the library committee has determined that whether a full scale expansion of Baldwin Library is done, or a renovation of its space, certain principles should guide any work.

These principles are: maintaining the spirit of the Grand Hall, and if possible, letting it infuse the rest of the building; improved blending of the youth room and the Birkerts addition into the building's original architectural style; ensuring that all square footage of the building is used to the best effect, including the lower level and second floor; making the library's spaces as flexible as possible since the future will likely bring changes in library usage; create a more spacious, less cluttered layout which would integrate a more retail model; improved lighting; enhanced way-finding; less shelf space allocation for collection as the move continues from print to electronic

formats, and audiovisual materials from print; and the importance of keeping the main traffic areas free of clutter.

The committee has identified a list of needs for the libraries, and then of wants. The higher-priority items, identified as needs, include a larger and better laid out youth room, including a larger children's activity room and a larger and better laid out teen room; more study and collaboration rooms and quiet study areas; improving handicap accessibility; creating a more inviting public entrance, both inside and outside; improving the service desks, office areas, and storage areas for staff, as well as a safe and easy-to-access staff entrance and a functional loading dock; and improving the organization of the collections.

No new K-9 for Bloomfield Hills Despite a public safety request for a new K-9 officer because the current one, Chance, is not “not measuring up” to the tasks he has been asked to perform, Bloomfield Hills commissioners voted 3-2 to not fund a new K-9 at their June 11 meeting, after new director of public safety David Hendrickson determined it would be primarily a public relations tool.

Hendrickson estimated that to fund a new K-9 would cost approximately $4,000 a year, with overtime costs of $3,000 a year and $1,000 a year in food and veterinary bills. “The cost of overtime is primarily due to the handler only working a maximum of nine days a month and not being on duty when some training is needed,” Hendrickson wrote in a memo to the commission.

Hendrickson, who began last week after being administrative captain with the Warren Police Department, noted in his memo that K-9 programs in suburban law enforcement and public safety agencies are typically utilized for three primary purposes: for drug detection; suspect tracking; and public relations. “The city of Bloomfield Hills has had a drug detection dog and a public relations tool for the last 10 years,” he wrote.

“During that time the K-9 in service has been documented as being used a total of 204 times, or less than twice a month.”

he topic of transitional zoning, from commercial districts to neighborhoods, and whether it was applicable in Birmingham, was considered at a joint workshop session of the Birmingham city commission and planning board on Monday, June 10.

The topic of transitional zoning, where a commercial area abuts a neighborhood, came to the attention of the planning board because of potential redevelopment of the south Woodward Corridor, the corner of Pierce and Brown streets, and a parcel of land at 404 Park street, which has been vacant since 1999. A developer is seeking rezoning from single family to general business in order to build six-unit row house townhouses for lease.

Conditional zoning means a zoning in which the governmental body allows a change in zoning activities subject to certain conditions that are designed to protect adjacent land from the loss of use or value which might occur if the new zoning activities are allowed without any sort of restrictions. It's a temporary land use, for the specific project only, and when the project ceases to exist, the property reverts back to its original zoning.

After carefully reviewing all aspects of transitional zoning and researching other communities' ordinances, planning director Jana Ecker said the planning board had determined there should be a Zoning Transition Overlay District, where the first step would be an ordinance defining it, modeled after the Triangle District ordinance, and the second step would be mapping the addresses which would be affected by the ordinance.

Important to include in the ordinance, she said, would be definitions on the kinds of developments which could be set in motion, with use restrictions, hours of operations, as well as moving buildings closer to the street. It would be important to increase the buffering requirements, whether they be by using better landscaping, trees or parking, Ecker said.

“It's also important to address streetscaping and right of way issues,” she said. “Neighbors want clear demarcation issues determined between the neighborhoods and commercial districts.”

She noted that this was the planning board's efforts at dealing with a controversial topic. “We're far from being done with this, but we wanted to make sure the city commission is comfortable with where we're going with this,” she said.

“This allows us to express, in the form of the zoning ordinance, how we would like the developments to look,” said planning board chairperson Robin Boyle. “Development along Woodward has been piecemeal at best.

We decided we wanted to get ahead of the developers coming in here. We don't think reacting to proposals is the best way. Our buffers are disgraceful between the residential and commercial areas.”

“I think you're absolutely on the right track. Over the last 40 to 50 years, we've made some horrendous mistakes. This is a way to avoid that in the future,” commissioner Tom McDaniel said.

“This is our reaction to contract zoning, so developers are not setting the standards. We're specifying what the overlay is,” planning board member Carroll DeWeese said.

Regarding uses for buildings, Kevin Denha, owner of buildings at 700 N. Old Woodward and at the corner of Lincoln and Adams, told commissioners and planners that he came before them for insight because both of his buildings are zoned 0-2, and he had gone before the city's Principal Shopping District (PSD) a few months before. “In the last 24 months, I've had many requests for uses that are not permitted. I've had yoga uses three times, National Spinning out of Chicago, and a personal trainer, and they're not allowed. These are nice owner-occupied businesses. I come before you and what can we do to look at these.

They're pretty low intensity.”

McDaniel noted he raised a good question. Ecker said, “We've worked out a lot of these issues in the Triangle District, and we're proceeding for O-2. For example, a tobacconist would not be allowed (there have been requests for hookahs), but health and fitness would be.”

“Uses change over time. We do ourselves, and landowners, a disservice.

We need general rules to evaluate them as they come along. To determine in 2013 what uses will be demanded in 2020 is foolish,” McDaniel said.

Denha raised the question if it would be possible to have a special land use permit while the process is worked out.

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FACES

Mickey Redmond

F

ormer professional hockey player and Detroit Red Wings analyst for FOX Sports Detroit Mickey Redmond, renowned for his colorful language and insight into the game, is a legend both on and off the ice.

Redmond grew up in Ontario, Canada, where he played hockey on local travel and church leagues. “From the time my brother and I were three or four, we were skating on outdoor rinks and that's where we pretty much learned how to play hockey back in the old days,” he said.

After completing high school in Canada and four seasons with the Peterborough Petes, his hometown's junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, Redmond began playing professional hockey when he was only 19 years old.

“I was recruited by several Michigan colleges or universities and at the time I thought I would have loved to have gone to college and played hockey but I'm afraid it would have been for the wrong reason.”

He won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens before being traded to play for the Detroit Red Wings, where he broke several scoring records.

“I played for nine years and had to retire at the young age of 28 from having back surgery which prevented me from playing at a high level,” he said. “I retired in 1976 because of back surgery and tried to make a comeback in 1979, but that didn't work.”

Returning to Detroit the same year, Redmond began his broadcasting career with ON TV. “I don't remember how many games we did, it wasn't that many, but that's where I got my start, and low and behold, I got a

call from the executive producer of (CBC's) “Hockey Night in Canada” Ralph Mellanby and he thought I might have potential,” he said.

“I was very fortunate to land that the next year and worked there for five years along with great TV guys like Danny Gallivan, Bob Cole and Dick Irvin. I was very lucky to be able to work with those fellas who are icons in the business and learn from them.”

In 1985, Redmond returned to the Red Wings as a color analyst, where he worked with partner Dave Strader for 12 years. “We did 17 games on television and it has grown from 17 games to now 82 games all these years later.”

In 1973, Redmond moved to Bloomfield Township where he currently resides with his wife. As part of his current job, Redmond watches hockey games regularly and speaks with other analysts daily.

“Starting last August, I'm back skating again twice a week, trying to get in the best condition I can for Winter Classic week coming up in December 2013 at Comerica Park, where we're going to play outdoors for the Red Wings Alumni Showdown.”

Redmond has no plans to retire anytime soon. “I'll be behind the mic as long as they'll have me because I love the game and I love what I do and it's as good as it gets for me. I'm a hockey lifer. Hockey is my life and has been my life and hopefully will be my life for a long time,” he said.

“As I often say, I have the best seat in the house and I don't have to pay to get in.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Rosh Sillars

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Stunning executive colonial with the ultimate 8+ car dream garage for the collector or sports/movie plex for the family. Over 4,700 SF of exquisitely remolded and expanded living space. Top of the line appointments in the Gourmet Kitchen. Master Suite with dual closets and luxurious bath. Great Room with loft and sunroom. 3 Fireplaces. Nanny/In-law suite on main floor. Pewabic tile, Italian Marble, Leaded Glass in many rooms. 3,000 SFpart finished walk-out lower-level. Spacious lot for play or pool. Truly a home worth of a Lone Pine address! (213045235)

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Beautifully renovated in the last couple of years. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be disappointed! Gleaming hardwood floors, newer kitchen with granite & stainless steel appliances, stone & granite baths, newer windows, doors, lighting, furnace, electrical & solarium. Versatile living/dining room with built-ins & newly finished lower-level. Newer landscaping & circular drive. Too much to mention & all on a picturesque 1.24 acre lot with pond. (213049270)

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Max Broock Realtors Bloomfield Hills 248.644.4700 4130 TELEGRAPH ROAD BLOOMFIELD HILLS MICHIGAN 48302

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Pristine hardwood floors, recessed lighting and custom stairwell. Floor to ceiling windows on all 3 level. Gourmet & granite kitchen, SubZero, Viking gas cook top/oven, dual Kitchen-Aid dishwashers. Lakefront master suite, sitting room, wet bar, private deck, dual master baths, finished walk-out, state of the art home theatre. Magnificent sandy shore & western sunset views. (213044005)

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5,616 sq ft Estate, nestled on 2 private acres w/ manicured gardens & buffered from street w/ wooded areas, evergreens & flowering trees. Master Ste: 1,000+ SF with His/Her bath.

Many designer features. Lake/Beach priv on Chalmers Lake & Bloomfield Hills Schools. (213033849)

Spectacular 1998 addition! Elegant, traditional family home, with East coast and historical influences. New roof, furnace, water heater. 1.5 acres. Access 3 lakes: Forest, Lower and Upper Long! Boat/walk to Forest Lake CC. 3 terraces! 6,250 total sq ft! 5 fireplaces! 4-5 bedrooms, 5.1 baths. Fin LL walkout with wine cellar, exercise room, bedroom, 2 full baths, 3rd family room. Large master boasts 2 full baths, 4 closets, 3 walkin closets, office. Bloomfield Hills Schools. (213040297)

Max Broock Realtors Bloomfield Hills 248.644.4700 4130 TELEGRAPH ROAD BLOOMFIELD HILLS MICHIGAN 48302

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uring his 15 years in the real estate business, David has earned a reputation for diligently representing his clients through every step of the buying and selling process.

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FACES Rebecca Rosen

R

ebecca Rosen, a spiritual medium based in Denver, Colorado, first explored her ability to communicate with spirits and the deceased while living in Birmingham.

“I was raised in a very traditional Jewish household and I always believed in God, but we weren't spiritual or into any of this paranormal stuff,” she said about her upbringing in Omaha, Nebraska.

After high school, Rosen went on to study advertising at the University of Florida and upon graduation, moved to Birmingham, where her dad lived.

“I did try to go into advertising and get a job with an agency and it didn't work out,” she said. “I couldn't find a job, so I became a nanny for a family and on the side I decided to play around with this ability.”

After realizing she could communicate with her deceased grandmother, Rosen explored her ability to connect with other spirits. “Sure enough I could, and that is when I started working out of a cafe in West Bloomfield and people started coming to me. At some point the Detroit Jewish News asked if they could do an article on me and it turned out to be the front cover. Needless to say, I got a lot of publicity from that.”

In 2001, Rosen opened her first office in Royal Oak. Three years later, she decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue potential television opportunities. She has since been featured on Dr. Phil, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Nightline, the Rachael Ray Show and is a contributor to Oprah.com.

After having her first child, Rosen moved to Denver for a more low key life and has been there for the past eight years.

“Daily, I do private readings and I either do them over the phone or in person, it works the same. I also travel around the country and go to select cities where I have bigger markets.” Rosen does large group readings, workshops, lectures and has a three-year wait for private readings.

Her first book, Spirited, was a national bestseller and her second book is coming out this August.

To Rosen, beginning her career in Birmingham was a huge part of her life. “It was the sense of community there. Everyone was so embracing and supportive and to my surprise, very spiritually open and aware. For me, that's exactly what I needed to feel safe and step out there and share this gift.” Rosen visits Birmingham at least twice a year because she is so grateful for her clientele who believed in her ability.

Rosen said her family and two sons have been very supportive of her work. “Everyone has been incredibly receptive and supportive. The work speaks for itself,” she said.

“I'm going to start shifting from less private readings to more group work, such as teaching people how to develop their own abilities and more lectures and workshops and healing people to live their purpose in life, and that's my next book (Awaken The Spirit).”

Despite resistance, Rosen is extremely proud of her courage to get past her own insecurities and fears to help people reconnect with their loved ones. “It's just who I am and what I do and I believe in it wholeheartedly.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Brett Seeley

A

rtfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives.

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248.798.3060 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

BUSINESS MATTERS ACO closing in August As part of multiple store closings, ACO Home, Garden Hardware will close its Birmingham store at 619 S. Adams Road in August due to underperformance. According to a press release, the closure of 14 stores is to strengthen the company’s financial performance. “Over the next couple months, we will be working closely with ACO through their store liquidation process and planned closure of the Birmingham store in August,” said Gary Andrus of Philip Stevens Building Company, owner and operator of South Adams Square Shopping Center. Andrus said Philip Stevens Building Company will be reviewing proposals for the 14,000 square foot space located in South Adams Square Shopping Center, but they have not formalized any plans yet.

Builder moved Bob Stern Building Company has closed its location at 554 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham and moved to 5745 W. Maple Road in Suite 211 in West Bloomfield. “We will continue to serve the Birmingham and Bloomfield areas, as we have for the past 48 years. Our new office will continue to showcase our cabinetry lines, as well as serve as a selection center for our clients to choose the finishes for their remodeling projects,” vice president Ron Stern said. “There is no way we would close for good. Business is good, the location and having a public showroom just was not needed.” Stern noted that the office phone number has not changed.

M.T. Hunter closed M.T. Hunter Country Store at 966 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham has closed. “It’s been 32 wonderful years.

We’ve enjoyed it but we will be closing. After 32 years, we have made wonderful customers and friends among those customers. They’ve been wonderful for 32 years and we have enjoyed working with them all,” one of the owners, Martha Twomey, said about the closing and the owner’s retirement. “We are going to miss being a part of your lives and seeing your smiling faces. We wish you all the best and if you see us around the neighborhood, please stop us and say hi,” she said.

Fitness centers merge Snap Fitness at 108 Willits Street in Birmingham has closed and merged downtownpublications.com

with Powerhouse Gym of Birmingham at 400 E. Brown Street. “We are excited to welcome Birmingham Snap

Fitness members to Powerhouse Gym of Birmingham,” the merger announcement read. “The merger is designed to bring the best of both facilities under one roof.” With the closing of Snap Fitness, previous members have the option to continue their membership with Powerhouse Gym. “Added benefits include full upscale locker rooms with dry sauna and steam sauna, towel service, dry cleaning, and massage, along with complimentary group exercise and spinning classes.”

Venture capital company IncWell LP has opened at 110 Willits in downtown Birmingham next to the Google offices. The private venture capital fund is being launched by founder and general partner Tom LaSorda, general partners Ted Fuller and John Melstrom and limited partner Roger Penske. “We’re not venture capital guys, we’re just great businessmen who know how to run businesses,” said LaSorda, former CEO of Chrysler. “One of the things that I’ve always wanted to do since I retired from Chrysler is set up a private venture capital fund dedicated to startups.” They decided to open the venture capital fund in downtown Birmingham because of the opportunity. “While Silicon Valley is the place to be for startups, Michigan is becoming a bigger player in the scene,” LaSorda said.

behavior, brand positioning and socio-economic trends at local and international levels,” Giammarco said. “Although we just recently put our heads together, collectively we have over 25 years of experience in the retail design industry and have completed projects globally.” Partners include Julie Dugas, Marc Pagani, Paul Farquharson, Adam Pew and Anna Giammarco. “We are designing a unique environment which will be fun and innovatively creative,” she said.

New dialysis center DaVita Home Dialysis is opening at 42886 at the intersection of Wooward and Square Lake in Bloomfield Hills this fall. DaVita will serve as a home training facility for patients who want to choose the home modality option.

“Home hemodialysis allows patients the freedom to dialyze in the comfort of their home with the help of a care partner where they can choose the time and how often they want to dialyze. For patients that go in center, it is for three days a week for approximately four hours a session,” spokesman Justin Forbis said. There are currently 71 DaVita centers in Michigan and the company is expanding to meet the needs of a growing population of patients with kidney disease.

Gallery opens in Rail District Wasserman Projects, a new gallery, opened at 2163 Cole Street in the Rail District in Birmingham this spring. “It is a brand new gallery. I was the director of Lemberg Gallery for over

Design studio moving

many creatively minded people, including designers and architects, have chosen to locate their businesses.” Carroll said one of the gallery’s goals it to present international artists to the Detroit audience while also focusing upon regional and emerging artists. “We’re already expanding into the space next door. Charles Dunlap Interiors was in that space next store and he is moving his office’s home.”

Wasserman Projects will use the additional space, called Process at 2167 Cole Street, to feature installations and works by younger and emerging artists.

Men’s store moving L’Uomo Vogue at 6520 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills will be moving into the old Birmingham Bank location at 4145 West Maple Road this fall. The high-end men’s clothing boutique was established by co-owner Bruce Goldman in 1979 and has been at the Bloomfield Plaza for the last 13 years. “This is a new venture and it’s a step up in our image,” co-owner Mike Goldman said. The clothing store specializing in European and Italian fashions will hold a moving sale starting the second week in July. “We’ll have tons of different specials and we’re going to be moving a lot of inventory at great value, making room for the all the fresh items that will be new for fall.” Goldman said the new store will have a grand opening to be announced soon. “It’s a completely different experience and feel when you walk in the new L’Uomo Vogue.

It’s going to be the same staff, so you get the same professional service that everyone was accustom to.” The new store will add an executive made-tomeasure room where you can get custom clothing and tailoring.

Gallery closed

Studio H2G will move to 2299 E. Lincoln in Birmingham’s Rail District this fall from 700 E. Maple in Birmingham. “We are very excited about our move and hope to be fully renovated and moved in by September 1,” finance senior partner Anna Giammarco said. As retail designers, Studio H2G specializes in retail strategies, master planning, retail design, shopping center design, visual communications and brand identity development. “As designers, our solutions are driven by consumer

20 years and Gary Wasserman was a long-time client,” director Darlene Carroll said. “We put forth this new venture and it’s been fantastic.” The first exhibition featured installations by a conceptual Belgium artist. “We have a great space, we have known the staff at Arkitektura for many years and we chose this space immediately behind their space and we’re thrilled with the synergy between the two businesses. Parking is never a problem here. This is an area where

DOWNTOWN

After 35 years, Lido Gallery, formerly Print Gallery, closed at 33535 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham.

The last day to shop was Saturday, June 1. The store held a clearance sale as part of the liquidation process.

The owner could not be reached for comment.

Business Matters for the BirminghamBloomfield area are reported by Hayley Beitman. Send items for consideration to HayleyBeitman@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

125

TOO NEW FOR PHOTO

TOO NEW FOR PHOTO

WEST BLOOMFIELD TWP

LIVONIA

COMMERCE TWP

WHITE LAKE

Beautiful 4 bedroom 2.2 bath Colonial on private street. Ceramic foyer, spacious living and dining room, finished basement. Circular driveway.

213055721. $225,000

Bring your finishing touches! This spacious ranch is located right across from the school and community pool ready for you to enjoy summer!

213023327. $163,000

Waterfront w/awesome floor plan. Soaring ceilings & windows w/exceptional water/wildlife views.

213045565. $390,000

Well maintained and updated cape cod w/all sports Cedar Island lake Privileges.

Full finished walk out basement.

213042862. $94,900

WESTLAND

WATERFORD TWP

FERNDALE

FARMINGTON HILLS

Awesome ranch home ready for new owners. Updated kitchen features Maple cabinets, newer counter tops, updated main bath, newer windows and roof.

21305506. $127,500

Spacious home features fabulous family room & formal living room. Newer windows, new foyer & kitchen plank flooring. Great size bedrooms & closets.

213051619. $139,900

Wonderful 1998 rebuilt Dutch Colonial.

Specious kitchen leads out to pressed concrete patio and newer deck, fenced yard. 213008302. $122,900

Outstanding detached site condo in much sought after "Fairways of Copper Creek" golf community. 1st floor master suite.

New Trax deck overlooking the golf course. 213033675. $330,000

PONTIAC

SOUTHFIELD

BLOOMFIELD TWP

ORION TOWNSHIP

Hardwoods through out most of home.

Newer furnace & a/c, siding , windows, shingles. Seller will entertain land contract. 213010392. $34,000

Great starter home or downsizer! Land contract available! 212093560. $74,900

Beautiful setting for this classic brick home sitting on 1.12 acres in Bloomfield Township. Inground pool. 213024043. $395,000

Stunning Toll Brothers home backing to natural preserve with spectacular view. 2 staircases, crown molding, harwood floor & tile. 213004021. $415,000

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

SOUTHFIELD

PONTIAC

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Charming 3 bedroom ranch in beautiful Southfield community.

Large living room and spacious family room. Dining room and hardwood floors.

212107108. $64,900

Beautiful remodeled ranch. New kitchen w/oak cabinets, new counter tops, paint, new bath, roof, furnace, carpet thru out. 211040871. $89,000

Executive condominium in great location near Birmingham offers sophisticated living. Three gorgeous levels in neutral decor with tasteful upgrades. 213046458. $369,000

WATERFORD TWP

DEARBORN HEIGHTS

WATERFORD TWP

Stunning Waterford ranch. Nestled on over 1/2 acre fenced lot offering barn with loft. Home features hardwood floors, prof. remodeled kitchen. 6 car capacity pole barn. 213054994. $159,900

Ranch with extra large lot. Hardwood floors thru out. New roof, spacious 2 car garage with separate work shop.

213029013. $89,900

Open floor plan in desired ranch.

Vaulted ceiling in living room. Master bedroom with master bath. First floor laundry. 213052678. $150,000

RELOCATION SERVICES 1-888-21-HOMES WEST BLOOMFIELD TWP

RELOCATING?

DEARBORN

Enjoy this gorgeous & sophisticated architectural design soft contemporary with Darb Lake Beach privileges.

213023841. $349,000

OUR RELOCATION DEPARTMENT

Nice brick 3 bedroom bungalow with 1.5 baths, fireplace, newer roof, basement and garage. 213035018. $99,900

OFFERS LOCAL HOMEFINDING ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS RELOCATION SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-21-HOMES

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

LIVONIA

BRIGHTON

DETROIT

BIRMINGHAM

Beautiful large lot compliments this sprawling spacious brick ranch home.

Large living room with natural fireplace.

Entertaining size family room plus attached garage. 213034974. $114,900

Rare custom home in Dutchman Farms!

Unparalleled quality throughout this 2990 sq ft home. This home is immaculate, neutral and ready to move into. 213017240. $549,900

Two bedroom two bath . Two swimming pools, exercise room and 24 hour security. 213033933. $37,000

Ranch home on nice street in Birmingham. Corner lot. New homeowner can remodel or builder tear down and rebuild. 213054840. $164,900

OCEOLA TWP

OAKLAND TWP

DEARBORN

DEARBORN

Nearly new and ready to move in!

Located in much sought after Hidden Creek Community. Exceptional island kitchen with open floor plan to family room. 213046893. $229,900

Spectacular updated Goodison Place Colonial with updates throughout. Kitchen with granite & built in appliances, hardwood floors throughout first floor.

Professionally decorated by top local designer. 213053961. $699,000

Dearborn Towers condo offers 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, great floor plan.

Enjoy the pool! 213042776. $73,900

Large two story home, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, partially finished basement. Large front porch. 213055720. $100,000

WEST BLOOMFIELD

NOVI

DETROIT

LIVONIA

This home shows pride of ownership.

The condo is custom painted throughout, Hunter Douglas Blinds, Granite counters in kitchen and baths. Finished basement.

213039710. $395,000

Looks like a model. Beautiful upper unit condo. Wood flooring, vaulted ceiling, upgraded Maple cabinets, Corian counters, stainless steel appliances.

213055451. $169,900

Quality brick home, large rooms, two car garage. Land contract terms available.

213017082. $59,500

Freshly painted interior. Move in Ready!

Bay window in living room, newer flooring in kitchen, covered front porch.

Large treed lot. 213041228. $57,850

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

ORION

HOWELL

OCEOLA TWP

Traditional layout, open two story foyer, nice kitchen with lots of storage! Master suite has huge walk in closet. This is a must see!

213045339. $274,900

Historically Significant 1890 Victorian 95% restored. Original woodwork, floors, hardware and doors. 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceiling, gorgeous parlors, updated kitchen and bath. 213012659. $269,900

Beautiful Belmont in new condition!

Entertainers kitchen w/walk in pantry & granite. Dual access staircase, princess suite, jack n jill bath. Large deck & community pool. 213052573. $294,900

FARMINGTON HILLS

WHITE LAKE

WHITE LAKE

Builder's own home with unlimited upgrades! Frank Lloyd Wright inspired.

200 feet on exclusive Coventry Lake.

First floor in-law suite. Short walk to downtown Franklin.

213017409. $965,900

Open floor plan 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with private access and dock to White Lake. All hardwood and tile floors. Master suite with deck.

Beautifully landscaped and views of White Lake. 213045218. $199,900

Quality built brick ranch with main lake frontage. Enjoy all sports Tull Lake. Full walkout lower level. Extensive decking.

213042820. $330,000

RELOCATION SERVICES 1-888-21-HOMES WALLED LAKE

RELOCATING?

HIGHLAND TWP

Well maintained ranch unit located in center of complex. Fronts spacious commons area. Very functional finished basement with new carpet.

One car attached garage. 213056112. $76,500

OUR RELOCATION DEPARTMENT

Entertainers delight on all sports White Lake. Private yard. Soaring ceilings, open floor plan, custom kitchen w/granite/ss appliances.

Whole house generator, inground pool.213055495. $929.900

OFFERS LOCAL HOMEFINDING ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS RELOCATION SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-21-HOMES

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

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

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

248.645.2150.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.792.3579 Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867.

Beau Jacks: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.2630.

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

Reservations.

Liquor.

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

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

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

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

Reservations. Liquor. 245 South Eaton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.7774.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Alcohol. No reservations. 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.

Chen Chow Brasserie: Japanese. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.2469.

downtownpublications.com

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

248.758.1221.

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

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

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

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

248.540.7220.

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

248.792.9766.

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, Monday-Saturday. 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.

Fox Grill: American. Lunch, Monday through Friday; Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. 248.792.6109.

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,

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DOWNTOWN

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Outdoor patio coming soon!

131

FOCUS ON WINE Don’t miss outstanding 2010 vintage Bordeaux

By Eleanor and Ray Heald

L

et’s start with essential background related to wines from the Bordeaux wine region, located in southwest France. Three principal rivers flow northerly through the most famous wine region in the world. The Garonne and the Dordogne rivers meet to form the Gironde near the city of Bordeaux.

Vineyards located on the Left (west) Bank of the Gironde are known collectively as the Medoc and include the famed appellations of Margaux, St. Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe.

The principal grape variety is cabernet sauvignon, frequently blended with merlot and cabernet franc. Vineyards on the Right (east) Bank of the Dordogne include the appellations of Pomerol and St. Emilion where merlot is the principal variety, complemented by cabernet franc.

The Classification of 1855, created by Napoleon III, included only wines of Medoc and Pessac-Leognan (located south of Medoc). The premier cru (first growth) Bordeaux include Chateaux Margaux (appellation Margaux), Latour, Mouton, Lafite (all three from Pauillac) and Haut Brion (Pessac-Leognan).

Although the Right Bank wines were not included in the Classification of 1855, it is interesting that the most expensive red Bordeaux is Chateau Petrus 2010 (Pomerol), $3,400.

For consumers not willing or able to afford hundreds or thousands of dollars per bottle, it is important to focus on quality wines from lesser known chateaux or lesser known appellations such as Fronsac, Medoc, Haut-Medoc, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Listrac and Moulis.

In our experience, good producers, using quality fruit and modern vinification methods, make very good wines every year. However, vintages 2009 and 2010 are getting lots of hype because great weather conditions, sunlight, warm days and cool nights have produced the best fruit and excellent wine. This also means prices tend to rise.

Scoping out values We have spent time scoping out Bordeaux values with high quality/price ratios that are locally available. These are affordable wines with excellent flavor profiles and projected ageability.

The person we look to for these wines is Francois Villars, representing the negociant firm of “La Passion des Terroirs.”

Villars explains, “My family includes five generations of wine merchants, since 1845 – before the Grand Cru Classification. We select wines for the value they bring to our customers. The 2010 vintage includes lovely wines, known as Petits Chateaux, that are enjoyable now.

Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222.

Hogan’s Restaurant: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.1800.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

248.203.9111.

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & 132

“We also offer Grand Cru Classe wines which are outstanding and can age 30-50 years under ideal cellar conditions. We are very fortunate because the wines of 2010 are amazingly good. Nature was very generous, giving beautiful weather during the entire growing season. The wines are very complete in terms of aroma, structure, and finish. They have nothing missing. They have it all.

“The 2010 Bordeaux wines are very powerful compared to other vintages. Although 2009 was a very good vintage, the difference is structure. There is a little more sweetness [meaning fruit and roundness on the palate] in the 2009 wines with firmer tannins in 2010.

“A six-pack of 2010 Petits Chateaux Bordeaux, $75, includes enjoyable, entry level wines that deliver everyday drinking pleasure.”

Our tasting of 2010 Bordeaux: Chateau Jouanin Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, $15. Dark fruits, black cherry, good structure and length.

Chateau Caronne Ste. Gemme Haut-Medoc, $30. Powerful tannins.

Chateau Duplessis Moulis en Medoc, $21. Accessible with nice cherry fruit for current drinking.

Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc, $29. Dark fruit mélange with good length. Drinkable today yet ageable for 3-4 years.

Chateau La Tour de Bessan Margaux, $33. An affordable Margaux, generous red fruit, mouthfilling with good length.

Chateau Durfort Vivens Margaux, $81. One of 15 second growth wines with great finesse. Rich and well structured with good fruit capable of aging 4-5 years.

Chateau Domeyne Saint-Estephe, $33. An approachable, like-me-now wine.

Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estephe, $105. Produced by Chateaux Cos d’Estournel. Lovely, full, rich, and worth the price. Buy it and age it.

Chateau Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estephe, $74. Upfront fruit and good structure for current enjoyment or 3-5 years of cellar time.

Chateau Gloria Saint-Julien, $72. Concentrated, complex, generous with structure and length. A good value.

Clos du Marquis Saint-Julien, $98. Another wine from Chateaux Leoville-Las Cases. Very dark color with complex fruit and great structure. This wine needs decanting to help the wine evolve.

Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Pessac-Leognan, $90. A big mouthful of dark, red fruit that requires decanting or a year or two cellaring.

Chateau La Dominique Saint-Emilion, $78. A neighbor of Chateau Cheval Blanc. A big red wine that should be aged 3-5 years.

Gravette de Certan Pomerol, $79. Fruit forward, generous, well managed tannins, good length. A very attractive wine.

Eleanor & Ray Heald have contributed to numerous international

Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.1166.

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

Leo’s Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

DOWNTOWN

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.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663.

Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913.

New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai.

Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.2181.

Northern Lakes Seafood Co.: Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7900.

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

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

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

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

248.253.9877.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, 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.

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 07.13

& Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available.

No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.5300.

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301.

248.932.0800.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.3887.

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.9830.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

The Corner Bar: American. Dinner.

Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

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

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

248.258.6278.

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

248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American.

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

248.792.5241.

Village Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

653 S. Adams.

Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964.

What Crepe?: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 172 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5634.

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

248.566.3566

AT THE TABLE What’s new is news at Birmingham’s Rugby Grille

By Eleanor Heald

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n this, the 25th anniversary year of the Rugby Grille in Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel, it’s an appropriate time to both reflect and focus on what became new.

After all, what’s new is news.

The Townsend Hotel and its tri-service (breakfast, lunch and dinner) Rugby Grille is owned by THC Investments, part of the prestigious global Preferred Hotel Group.

Recently, Rugby Grille was remodeled down to the studs. Reopening in March, it highlighted new Ralph Lauren wall covering and lighting fixtures.

New rugs, leather chairs and china are complemented by Joan Miro modern art.

Sophisticated style remains the hallmark of the Rugby and its attendant Gallery dining area.

It’s refined but not over the top. Speaking to its modern adaptations are an iPad-based wine list and menu. However, it you’d rather more traditional paper versions, they will be provided upon request.

With Rugby’s tri-service, a chef de cuisine position is very important. Andrew Alcid, 30, assumes this roll and receives Chef Drew’s compliment, “He has a wealth of talent with a good balance of culinary school knowledge.”

Long-time Rugby servers have a nine-year average tenure. However, Dean Barnett has been on staff since opening and Rocco Cercone celebrates 22 years.

Patio perfect and indoor dining Although it opened in 2012, Rugby Grille’s patio, seating 20 on a first-come first-served basis, is very popular. The menu is the same as that indoors in the Rugby Grille, which was seasonally updated in June.

Seasonal updating is Chef Drew’s plan to best showcase a local farm to table daily-changing menu.

Yet, when a high-end restaurant has a number of signature dishes among its principal plates, they are not deleted from reformatted menus. Among these is the number one overall best seller, Dover Sole (at market price). The plate garnish for this offering changes about every two to three weeks.

It’s deboned at the table.

Caesar Salad, $10, can also be prepared tableside.

Other standards Classic goes creative include Duck Tacos, $14, Food & Beverage with pasilla chile, avocaDirector Jared Chorney, do, crème fraiche and 36, came to the Townsend jalapeno. It’s an outstandDuck liver pate and pickled rhubarb accompanied with voilet mustard. from Toasted Oak in Novi. Downtown photo: Ramiz Romaya ing appetizer or light main Although that eatery is course with a salad or more casual than the Rugby, when I interviewed delicious onion soup, $9. Fried Baby Artichokes, $16, are Chorney there, he impressed me with his wine knowl- shareable as are the Crab and Lobster Cakes, $17, that edge. will make you forget crab cake solo.

He’s now teamed with Certified Sommelier David Dinner main courses are generally over $20 and like Brown in crafting a world class wine list where aficiona- nearly every restaurant offering prime steaks, these dos will find myriad three figure offerings, balanced by a prices are reaching the stratosphere at $44 and above. host of bottles for a more casual meal or lunch. Frequent I’ve concentrated on the dinner menu, but lunch at Birmingham diners may know Brown from his former the Townsend can be special. If the Soft Shell Crab position at 220 Restaurant. He also worked at Troy’s Sandwich, $19, with creamy cole slaw, old bay mayo and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. steak frites is on the menu, order it. You’ll take your Since the beginning of this year, The Townsend has palate on a trip to the east coast. enjoyed the kitchen direction of 34-year-old Executive Chef Drew Sayes, a metro-Detroit native who aban- Rugby Grille in the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend doned criminal justice studies to pursue a culinary Street, Birmingham, 248.642.7900. Breakfast: 6:30degree at Oakland Community College. He left the 11 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: 3 p.m.- midExecutive Chef’s position at the prestigious Atlanta night, with Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m. Parking: valet Athletic Club in Johns Creek, GA, to return “home” in a offered. position he describes as “a perfect fit because I’m an avid supporter of local farms promoting sustainable Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writes the wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for practices. Using French culinary techniques, I remain Downtown. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be e-mailed focused on regional cuisine with approachable flavors.” to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE TCH Going Long The Community House 90 & Beyond luncheon celebrating 110 people over 90 years old couldn’t have been more fun. The Wallace ballroom was packed with over 210 vibrant people all connecting and laughing – it was unbelievable. A sold out crowd turned out to celebrate these treasured citizens, as well as four business entities 90 years or older: Birmingham Eccentric; St. James Episcopal Church; The Village Players; and yes, The Community House. We reminisced eating Maurice salads and Bumpy Cake, viewing slides of Cadillacs, Lincolns, Duisenbergs, Cords, the T-Bird, Mustang and Chrysler Cordoba (thanks to a presentation by Al Bosley and Martin Rowell of our Senior Men’s Club); tapped and jived to the top songs from each of the last ten decades. The women looked stunning, and the men debonair.

The Support of Others: These community events are Camille Jayne critical to the fabric of our lives – to celebrate, thank and encourage those who keep us all strong. I remind people that as a nonprofit, TCH could never offer such events without the helpful funding from others. In this case, our sponsors who subsidized the costs of the event: Bank of Birmingham; Heartland; the Heritage of Southfield/Brookdale Senior Living; Next Step 4 Seniors; La Petite Pastry Shoppe; Cadillac of Southfield/Chrysler Jeep of Novi; and Aly Darin Photography who took portrait photos of all our guests. And of course, the people who bought tickets to celebrate our honorees.

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Going Long the Right Way: I mention this because we are very proud that in the past 15 months, TCH has been able to fund our operating budget, redecoration and children’s outreach programs 100 percent through generous donations/grants, corporate sponsors for our community events and business programs, excellent enrollment in our classes, dance and travel programs, and our Early Childhood Center. Our new look combined with superb food offerings, have resulted in increased bookings in our banquet events area.

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What Your Support Means To a Nonprofit: The fact that we did not have to dip into our investment or endowment portfolios over the past 15 months is critical to TCH’s financial stability and longevity. We need your support to keep that trend going day by day, in order to serve the community in the years to come, and to more solidly establish ourselves into a second century of service. To do that, TCH needs to keep offering programs, classes and community events that are relevant to all of you. So here is a great line up over the coming months – please join us for a “win/win/win/win” of learning, great fun, camaraderie and knowing your support allows us to help others in need: 2013 TCH AMAZING Summer Camps: Theatre; Fencing; Hands-On Cooking; Fashion; Spanish; Improv and Sketch Comedy; American Girl; Super Hero; Ballroom Dancing; Cabaret; Playtime Band; and Safety camps for Kids!

Farm To Table Block Party – Saturday, Sept 7th: What better way to celebrate our community than to have a block party for up to 1,000 people on a Saturday afternoon with food and drink all made in Michigan? From 4-8 p.m., we’ll block off the streets around TCH to enjoy free chef tastings from local restaurants, winery and brewery tastings; produce from local farmers and food products all made in MI for sale. A farm animal petting area and live music. Kate and Robb Harper, copublishers of the incredible “edible WOW” magazine, are co-chairing our event. $35/adult; $10 per child. Price includes two drinks.

Build A Bridge

Exceptional Tutoring Kliger Consulting Group offers personalized programs for your child

Cooking Classes, Travel and Dance Summer Programs: Summer raw food series offered by Cacao Tree Café; guided trips to Eastern Market, Stratford, Alaska or Tuscany; and new dance choreography workshop for teens!

Register for the above: www.tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832.

Don’t Forget: Bulletproof Your Success ™ Lecture July 10th: “How to Be a Good Mentor and Mentee.” 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $35. John Schamante joins Camille for this lecture. Register at: www.tchbulletproof.org.

Camille Jayne is President & CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

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K 8 all subjects K 12 Math & Language Arts

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For More Information: Kliger Consulting Group 2006 Hazel Street Birmingham, MI In the Rail District 248 914 7011 pkliger@gmail.com 135

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Matilda Wilson Award Luncheon Women’s Association Boys and Girls Club chair Linda Gillum welcomed 100 Sally Gerak supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs gathered at the Townsend for the luncheon honoring Brigitte Harris. She thanked event chair Dee Wright-Masilotti and her committee - Julie Beals, Rita Dallavecchia, Judie Sherman and immediate past WA chair Kathy Martin. She also did a shout out to past award recipients Irma Elder, Millie Pastor, Kathleen Antonini, Bev Moore, Judie Sherman, Valerie Straith, Sylvia Hagenlocher, Connie McEwan and this reporter.

From the artwork by 15-year old Nicole Clinard (on the invitation, the program and framed as a gift for Harris) to the speech by 2013 B&G Clubs Youth of the Year Andrew Dickens, there was evidence aplenty that the kids who hang out at the B&G Clubs of Southeastern Michigan are in a good place. Dickens won everybody’s heart when he described his struggles as a stutterer until “…the club helped me find my voice,” and he became a mentor for other victims of bullies. The high school senior, who has tallied 325 volunteer hours at his club and will study civil engineering at Western Michigan University, got a heartfelt standing ovation when he concluded, “Only I control how my story ends.”

Wright-Masilotti was equally eloquent in her introduction of the honoree, whose childhood was spent in war-torn Germany. She was a widow with three young children living in England when she met widower Mort Harris on a trip to India. The successful Detroit businessman had three teenagers. They married and merged their families in 1972. Since then, the Bloomfield Hills couple’s charity and good works have been legendary. Brigitte, who is known for her understated elegance and acts of kindness, said she was almost speechless when she got a standing ovation. But she did credit the late John and By Fauver (“We really miss them”) with “…bringing us to the Boys & Girls Clubs.”

The luncheon raised $16,000 for scholarships at the clubs. They provide a home away from home for 23,000 elementary and high school children for $50 per year. Beth Eberly is chairing the WA’s next fundraiser - the In Celebration Dinner set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Orchard Lake Country Club. It will honor Danialle and Peter Karmanos, Jr.

JDRF’s Promise Ball

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1. Past event chairs Estelle Elkus (left) and Annette Kolon of Bloomfield and chapter pioneer Margaret Schubering of Bingham Farms. 2. Joseph (left) and Sarah Saker of Bloomfield and Kathy and Tom Spillane of Northville. 3. Board president Marvin Daitch (left) and president elect Grant Beard of Bloomfield with JDRF regional director Jim Slaughter of Grosse Pointe. 4. Lauren Daitch (left) and Sue Beard of Bloomfield with JDRF’s Meredith Gault of Louisville, KY. 5. John Ross and his wife Lisa Martin of Birmingham. 6. Gary (left) and exec. director Kate Durak of Bloomfield with Denny and Mary Knoblock of W. Bloomfield. 7. Marybeth and Tom Howe of Birmingham. 8. Andrea (left), Emily, Jerry and Jacqueline Karp of Bloomfield.

JDRF’s Promise Ball The JDRF fundraiser has been staged on the first Friday in May for many years, so the Friday Night Live from Detroit event theme was a good call for the party that attracted 380 to the MGM Grand. It also provided a shtick for emcee Jean Jennings and honorary chairs Mike and Suzy Fezzey to kick off the program that followed a very sociable cocktail hour featuring silent auction bidding ($14,000). Eric Dietz’s presentation of the Jane Jospey Cobb Award to Tom and Jackie McInerney was next on the program. Unfortunately, just days before the party Tom lost his battle with cancer, so Dietz told how the McInerney’s had raised lots of money for JDRF in memory of their son Jim, and concluded by saying, “We’ll miss you, Tom.” All but two of the 10 live auction items sold for well over their value (raising $69,000), but the evening’s real generosity was evident in the Fund-A-Cure pledging. It started with a grandmother’s pledge of $150,000, “…in memory of my diabetic grandson.” The whole room gave her a rousing standing ovation and when everybody stopped pledging, the total was $490,000. It will be used in JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project which

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would be a monumental improvement in the lives of the millions of Americans who live with Type 1 Diabetes. In all, the 28th annual Promise Ball raised $770,000 for diabetes research, treatment and prevention.

Wonder Woman Celebration The Women’s Officials Network Foundation staged its annual Wonder Woman Celebration at the San Marino Club and 117 attended. There was a silent auction, It’s A Treasure jewelry display, and raffle, but for this reporter the highlights of the evening was the insightful introductions of those being honored by someone who really knows them. Engineer/Troy school board president/ Girl Scout Board chair Nancy Philippart was introduced by her son.

Michigan Women’s Foundation CEO Carolyn Cassin was introduced by her daughter and granddaughter.

Nonagenarian artist and feminist Patricia Hill Burnett was introduced by her daughter. Public affairs consultant Anne Mervenne was introduced by good friend Marcie Brogan. All four honorees have demonstrated that they embrace the WON goal, as expressed by foundation president Cynthia von Oeyen, that “…anywhere laws are crafted, women’s voices need to be heard.” The evening netted $7,250 which will support Camp Moxie, the Girl Scout four-day leadership adventure. Past Wonder Women in attendance were: Lynn Alexander, Maggie Allesee, Fran Anderson, Portia Fields-Anderson, Elizabeth Bauer, Barbara Bonsignore, Maura Corrigan, Sue Ellen Eisenberg, Sally Gerak, Pat Hardy, Gilda Jacobs, Deb Macon, Sue Nine, Geri Rinschler, “Coco” Siewert and Joan Young.

Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Friends Party Patrons ($300 and up supporters) of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital’s breast cancer center’s annual Mother, Daughter, Sisters & Friends fundraising event convened for brunch in Saks Fifth Avenue’s designer salon. After they chatted, noshed and took their places for the runway fashion show, Cheryl Hall Lindsay noted her mother was a breast cancer survivor and co-chair Florine Mark told them how important their support was. She spoke knowingly, as she is a survivor of both breast and colon cancer. The show that followed featured four sets of very wearable ensembles before it showcased 30 stunning pieces from Naeem Khan’s 2013 autumn/winter collection. At the main event on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Shenandoah Country Club, E! News’ Guiliana and her entrepreneur husband Bill Rancic will describe their struggle and triumph over her breast cancer. For reservation information, contact Ashley Abaloz at (313) 874-6139. downtownpublications.com

Wonder Woman Celebration

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3 1. WON Foundation president Cynthia von Oeyen (left) and Pam Williams of Bloomfield. 2. Maggie Allesee (left), Sue Ellen Eisenberg and honoree Patricia Hill Burnett of Bloomfield. 3. Honoree Anne Mervenne (left) a Bloomfield native now of Royal Oak with her family, mother Rosemary Ledwidge of Bingham Farms, Carol Tenute of Clarkston and Trish and Dave Mervenne of Bloomfield. 4. Paul Nine (center) of Bloomfield with honorees Carolyn Cassin (left) of Grosse Pointe and Nancy Philippart of Troy. 5. Susan Hill (left), Dan Nerad and Gordon and Geri Rinschler of Birmingham.

6. Terrill Burnett (left) of Hernando Beach, CA and Lidija Grahovac of Bloomfield. 7. Liz Bauer (left) of Birmingham, Pam Hansen of Franklin and Deb Macon of W. Bloomfield. 8. Bobbi Chapman (left) and honoree Patricia Hill Burnett of Bloomfield. 9. Terrill Burnett (center) of Hernando Beach, CA with her mother / honoree Patricia Hill Burnett and Ruth Holmes of Bloomfield.

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Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Friends Party

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1. HFHS’ Jennifer Harmon (left) of Bloomfield with event co-chairs Florine Mark and her daughter Lisa Lis of Farmington Hills. 2. Host committee members Solange Messelian (left) and her daughter Kristen Messelian Shapiro of Bloomfield and Michele Munkarah of W. Bloomfield. 3. Kim Harbedian (left) of Troy with host committee member Barbara Whittaker of Bloomfield and Barbara Mahone of Birmingham. 4. Alison Orley (left) of Birmingham and her grandmother/host committee member Sally Orley of Bloomfield. 5. HFHS’ Francine Wunder (left) of W. Bloomfield and Debbie Basch of Bloomfield. 6. Diane Orley (left) of Bloomfield and her mother Eva Kaplan of Dallas, TX.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Women Helping Women

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1. Event chair Julie Kozlowski (left) of Troy and her mother/committee member Judith Kozlowski of Rochester Hills, event co-chair Amanda Luther of Rochester and her mother / committee member Sue Luther of Rochester. 2. Honorary co-chair Karen Bowman Williams (center) with Bob and Mary Geo Stephenson of Birmingham. 3. Wendy Petherick (left), Mandy Lunghamer and Barbara Bowman of Birmingham and her daughter Mimi Bowman Rydings (front) of Goodrich. 4. Vic Ventimiglia (left) of Birmingham and David Sokol of Oakland. 5. Elizabeth Brazilian (left) of Birmingham and Wendy Silverman of Bloomfield. 6. Committee member Kerrie Binno of Birmingham holding her 8-month old daughter Chloe. 7. Luigi Bruni of Birmingham and Birmingham native Mary Alice Stephenson of NYC. 8. Michelle Atwell (left) of Waterford and committee member Linda Hyman of Commerce.

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Holy Cross Children’s Services Celebration

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1. Good Samaritans president Lisa Wilson (left) of Bloomfield, HCCS CEO Br. Francis Boylan of Clinton, HCC board president Tim Patton of Ann Arbor and Knights of Columbus State Deputy Michael Malinowski of Dearborn Hgts. 2. Committee members Sue Nine of Bloomfield and Mia Materka with her husband Stan of W. Bloomfield. 3. Event sponsors David Wilson (left) of Bloomfield and Sal Simone (right) of Romeo with their sons Joe Wilson and Mario SImone. 4. Music making pastor Rennie Kaufmann (left) of Plymouth and sponsor Carol Shaya of Bloomfield. 5. Sandie Knollenberg (left) of Bloomfield and HCCS’ Karen Rupley of Onsted. 6. Br. Francis Boylan (left) of Clinton, Rad Radofski of Canton and Lisa Wilson of Bloomfield.v 7. Rennie Kaufmann (left) of Plymouth, Br. Joseph Fox of Notre Dame, IN, Chef Paul Grosz of Rochester Hills and Br. Francis Boylan of Clinton.

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Women Helping Women “Fashion doesn’t look good unless it’s doing good,” said Mary Alice Stephenson. The renown stylist who grew up in Birmingham was speaking to the 560 supporters of Grace Centers of Hope’s Women Helping Women benefit luncheon at the Royal Park Hotel. She told them about her new Glam4Good project and quoted one of the Grace Centers residents: “Fashion is the armor that helps us get through stuff.” Before she presented a dazzling fashion show that put GCH residents in the spotlight, she conducted a quick live auction for a makeover and an internship with her in NYC for which two generous women each paid $3,000. GCH CEO Pastor Kent Clark presented the Angel of Grace Award to the Luther family and his daughter Shannon Grace Sokol, who has coordinated all 15 of the annual fundraisers, thanked the event chairs on behalf of the increasing number of women and children learning life skills and living at the faith based center. Thanks also to generous sponsors, a raffle ($9,000) and a huge silent auction ($32,383), the fashionable event raised $172,311 for the center. It takes no government money, because, as Pastor Kent told the supporters, “You are the solution.”

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Holy Cross Children’s Services Celebration Lisa Wilson and her band of Good Samaritans planned a fun 65th anniversary salute to the social service agency that started as Boysville. Festivities began on both floors of Chef Paul Grosz’s Cuisine Restaurant, which could only accommodate 200 of the folks who wanted to attend. And to do even that, Br. Francis Boylan had to bring over 45 more chairs from HCCS’ Samaritan Center. Music maker Rennie Kaufmann led the singing of “God Bless America” before a dinner highlighted by succulent braised beef short ribs. Before everybody left to stroll across the street to the Fisher Theatre to see “Catch Me if You Can”, which was very entertaining, board president Tim Patton and the Knights of Columbus’ Michael Malinowski thanked them for their support. The Knights of Columbus adopted Boysville as its charity 65 years ago, as did one of the guests, 94-year-old Rad Radofski, who was saluted for his loyalty.The celebration netted $25,000. Each day of the year HCCS helps approximately 650 at risk children and families across the state become self-sufficient.

CCFA Fashion Show Luncheon Another sold out crowd of 313 supporters convened at Oakland Hills Country Club to raise dollars for the

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

They knew from the past events that there would be very appealing raffle and silent auction items to peruse before lunch, but new this year was a Tribute Tree on which to tie personal notes. They were encouraged by pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Robert Truding’s updates on Irritable Bowl Disease research, new treatments, and Camp Oasis, the CCFA camp for kids with IBD. They also knew they could depend on Saks Fifth Avenue’s Cheryl Hall Lindsay to present a terrific fashion show following lunch. She did not disappoint.

Counting the auction ($10,000), the raffle ($6,000), and sponsors’ generosity, the event raised more than $82,000, to the great delight of chair Harriett Fuller.

CCFA Fashion Show Luncheon

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1. Event chair Harriett Fuller (left) and her husband Shel of Bloomfield with SFA’s Cheryl Hall Lindsay. 2. Katie Bowman Coleman (right) of Bloomfield and her mother Barbara Bowman of Birmingham. 3. Lynn Rubin (left) of W. Bloomfield and Nanci Kantor with event co-chair Marilyn Barnett of Bloomfield. 4. Sally Marx (left) of Bloomfield with co-chairs Judi Schram of W. Bloomfield and Kathy Bradbury and Debra Haughie of Brighton. 5. Jean Dubin (left) of Bloomfield and Nancy Gershenson of Franklin. 6. Marjorie Krevsky of Bloomfield. 7. Jennifer McDonald (left) of Schwartz Creek, Beth Sorensen of Bloomfield and Rachelle Nozero of Novi.

8. Dana Sorensen (left) of Bloomfield and her Albion sorority sisters Betsy Kruppe and Chelsea Robinson.

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TCH Donor Appreciation Dinner

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1 1. Susan Varbedian Lucken (standing left) of Birmingham, her father Tom Varbedian and keynote speaker Detroit Economic Club CEO Beth Chappell of Bloomfield with Laurie and event sponsor Bank of Birmingham’s Rob Farr of Beverly Hills.

2. Jeanne Hackett of Bloomfield with her Pillar of Vibrancy award. 3. David and Sue Dinger of Bloomfield. 4. Ann (left) and Dr. Gene Thompson of Bloomfield and Ann and Bill Booth of Birmingham.

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TCH Donor Appreciation Dinner The Detroit Economic Club is not quite as old as the The Community House, but its CEO Beth Chappell noted similarities in the two institutions when she gave the keynote speech to TCH major donors. She noted that both provide a place for smart people to get together and share ideas, both are regional, both are about education and both are directly impacted by what happens in Detroit. She was speaking to more than 100 of TCH’s donors at the Appreciation Dinner the Bank of Bloomfield sponsored. TCH Vice chair Dave Trott had welcomed everybody after a short video featuring the 21st Century Leaders participants. “Those kids are the farm team,” he said, adding “We value your investment.” TCH CEO Camille Jayne had shared the good news that the House “…is in the black for the first time in several years.” She also delivered a Pillar of Vibrancy Award to nonagenarian jewelry artist Jeanne Hackett, who had missed the Annual Gala where the awards were presented.

DIA Women’s Committee’s Modern Mini Mini skirts and pop art accented the DIA Women’s Committee benefit in the Rivera Court. Annie Margulis and Christine Zantop chaired the lighthearted party, held before all that distressing talk about the museum’s artworks possibly being sold to satisfy Detroit’s debts.

WC president Lauren Fisher recruited her mother Sis Fisher and sister-in-law Elise Hayes to do cool decorations. Most of the 160 guests ($150 per) paused their socializing and dining-on-the-stroll to take a 20-minute docent led tour of the Contemporary galleries organized by curator Becky Hart. Included in the exhibition were the originals of the party souvenirs – high quality prints of Roy 07.13

Lichtenstein’s “Study for Brushstroke with Spatter”, Kwesi Ousu-Ankomah’s “Movement #27” and Charles McGee’s “Noah’s Ark”. Upcoming DIA fundraisers include the Founders Junior Council’s Fash Bash chaired by Tara Grekin, Lauren Rakolta, Lindsay Cotton and Lindsay Maroun on August 15.

Ladies of Charity Benefit Luncheon When event chair Marianne McBrearty told the 220-plus guests at Oakland Hills Country Club, “Everything’s coming up roses,” she wasn’t kidding. Miniature rose bushes decorated the luncheon tables and a long stem red rose was presented to each past president in attendance and the 38 event benefactors. The featured flower was inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, the event theme, and McBrearty had enlisted Mexican history enthusiast Fr. Thomas Florek, S.J. to explain the Catholic symbol. Little did she know he would do so by directing and narrating an improvisational drama. It depicted the Virgin Mary’s December, 1531, hillside appearance to a poor Mexican instructing him to have the archbishop build an abbey there. When the prelate, played by Kay Browne, asked the peasant Juan Diego, played by artist Kathleen Chisholm McInerney, for a miraculous sign to verify the request, Our Lady, played by McBrearty, told him to gather some roses from the hillside and take them to the archbishop. That they were growing in the snow was miraculous enough, but when he took them from his cloak, the iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe’s imprint was in their place.

It has since been revered in the Mexican culture and was featured in the Rose Boutique, silent auction and raffle preceding lunch. Funds raised will support the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul’s clothes closet and a nutrition center for the poor.

Preservation Bloomfield’s Spring Fling Judy Kelliher and Patti Jessup chaired the nostalgia-accented boutique and luncheon benefiting the Barton Farmhouse restoration. Their grandmothers could have recalled the interesting artifacts Katie Kiyo found for the Bloomfield Memories display and Joan Gaston’s exhibition of both her mother and grandmother’s wedding gowns.

Before lunch, the 105 guests also perused the wares of 12 professional vendors, plus the friends’ sale table of collectibles worked by Pat Hardy and Mary Lou Kopmeyer. Luncheon tables were centered by ribbon and flower-bedecked hatboxes and the Hudson’s Maurice downtownpublications.com

DIA Women’s Committee’s Modern Mini

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1. WC president Lauren Fisher (center) and event co-chairs Christine Zantop (left) and Annie Margulis of Bloomfield. 2. Walt and Sis Fisher with their granddaughters Louise and Madison McCready of Bloomfield. 3. Elise Hayes (left) of Bloomfield and Jamie Festick of Grosse Pointe. 4. Joanne Ulnick (lef) and Katie Prior with Susan Martin and Peter Hoglund of Birmingham. 5. Tom Galantowicz of Beverly Hills and Sally Parsons of Birmingham. 6. Sandra Moers (left) and Maureen D’Avanzo of Bloomfield. 7. Mark Pollega (left), Rochelle Roth and Bob Littman of Birmingham. 8. Bruce Margulis (left) and Rick Zantop of Bloomfield.

9. Ted (left) and Diana Golden, Marilyn Way and Margie Hubacker of Bloomfield. 10. Jim and Robin Henderson of Bloomfield. 11. Carol (left) and Donna Chisholm with Annie Margulis of Bloomfield. 12. Charli Podowski (left) and Ken Way of Bloomfield with Linda Sircus of Franklin.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK salad evoked memories, as did Rebecca L’Ecuyer’s show of vintage fashions.

Highlights included chinchilla and monkey fur coats, a hand beaded 1920s flapper dress, and a buggy riding outfit from the 1800s, all accompanied by L’Ecuyer’s passionate and educational commentary. The memory-filled social raised more than $7,000.

Ladies of Charity Benefit Luncheon

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1. Event chair Marianne McBrearty (left) of Bloomfield and co-chair Mia Materka of W. Bloomfield. 2. Eileen Thees (left) and committee member Lois Thornbury of Bloomfield checking out a silent auction item – Finnish raccoon coat. 3. Barb Balow (left), Pat Hurlburt and Betty Desmond of Bloomfield. 4. Margaret Good (left), Joann Baughman, Mary Jo Johnston and Sally Barnds of Birmingham. 5. Genie Ferszt (center) of Bloomfield with Kathy Frasco (left) and Lynn Tomlinson of Birmingham.

6. Mary Beth Nelson (left) and Suzanne Nelson of Bloomfield and Sandra Skaggs of Dallas, TX.

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Preservation Bloomfield’s Spring Fling

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1. Event chairs Judy Kelliher (left) and Patti Jessup with committee member Katie Kiyo of Bloomfield. 2. Raffle chair Joanne Cherney (left) and vendor chair Bee Engelhart of Bloomfield.

3. Joan Gaston of Bloomfield with her grandmother’s circa 1850 wedding gown. 4. Committee member Joan Cleland of Bloomfield and Peggy Graham of Birmingham. 5. Judy Anderson (left) and committee member Pat Hardy of Bloomfield. 6. Jo Ann Wilson (left) and Marguerite Porter of Bloomfield.

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Tenth Annual Bonnets In Bloom

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1. Event chair Karen Lhyle (center) with committee members Sally Teague of Beverly Hills and Marilyn Hill of Royal Oak. 2. Sally McBride (left) of Birmingham, Sue Martin of W. Bloomfield and table hostess/designer Shirley O’Keefe of Bloomfield. 3. Committee member / table hostess Mary Ann Kennedy (left) of Bloomfield and designer Mary Ann Gardella of Brighton. 4. Joann Doyle (left) of Oxford, table hostess/designer Barbara Finn and Genie Ferszt of Bloomfield and Nancy Schaelfer of Bingham Farms. 5. Georgette Lhyle (left) of Beverly Hills and Emily Belcher of Birmingham.

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Tenth Annual Bonnets In Bloom The late June Taylor McGregor was surely smiling from on high as she watched the Salvation Armuy Auxiliary charity event she founded 10 years ago attract a record number of guests (229) to The Townsend ballroom. The format is unchanged. Generous and talented women decorate one or more tables and invite friends to lunch. Tickets are moderately priced - $45 - and there is also a silent auction. Hats are encouraged and reference the familiar bonnets worn by the Salvation Army women officers.

There were 24 tables, each one unique and beautiful. Event chair / auxiliary president Karen Lhyle, whose 94-year old mother had knit a baby sweater for the auction, thanked her committee and welcomed non-members to join the auxiliary’s mission. SA commissioner Carol Seiler spoke about the army’s new initiative, Pathway of Hope, aimed at moving the at-risk people it serves to selfsufficiency. The lovely event netted more than $7,300, which will help the needy in southeast Oakland County.

SOS Luncheon and Boutiques Supporters (140) of South Oakland Shelter gathered at The Townsend to benefit the agency that provides social services, including lodging at participating area churches, Before and after lunch they shopped the offerings of 24 specialty vendors. But here’s betting the big take away from the event was Raven Coates’ story. The former SOS client who was in the shelter with her son, now has her own home, a business and is an ordained minister. But her recollection of the SOS volunteer who brought her son the first pair of real leather shoes he had ever owned so he could go to church unashamed was moving. “SOS restored my dignity,” said Coates. The agency’s big fundraiser – Dancing with the Stars – is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23 at The Townsend.

A Night for Sight ‘Tis said, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” And that was a good thing for Dr. Frank Nesi and his crew of wine lovers and ophthalmologists that planned a “light” version of 07.13

The Alliance for Vision Research’s annual charity wine auction. Because they scaled the plans way down (capacity, auction lots, events, souvenirs, print materials) and staged it at the more intimate (but tony) Townsend Hotel, they had set goals at 100 guests and a modest $50,000 proceeds. And guess what? One hundred forty wine connoisseurs attended (at $500 and up). They committed $20,000 in the silent auction (15 lots compared to nearly 200 in past years) and $55,000 in the live auction (12 lots compared to 60-plus in past years). Then, after Drs. Kim Drenser and Lyla Mogk made their pitches, $20,000 was donated for vision programs. “(By scaling back) we actually netted more tonight,” a smiling Nesi said at evening’s end. “More” would prove to be $140,000, triple the original goal. And the featured vintner, Bob Egelhoff, gave each couple a bottle of wine to take home. The more relaxed schedule also gave alliance chair Dr. Luisa DiLorenzo and her new husband, Dr. Joe Skoney, time to accept congratulations and gratitude from some who had toasted them at their most splendiferous wedding reception six days previously in the same ballroom.

A Night for Sight

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8 Christ Child Society’s Pour Les Enfants Christ Child Society Detroit’s second century started on a real high. Its big spring fundraiser sold out 15 days in advance and netted record proceeds ($29,000) as 315 convened at Pine Lake Country Club to socialize, shop at 15 boutiques, bid on silent auction goodies and buy Chinese raffle tickets. Lunch conversation paused intermittingly when models strolled by in fashions and accessories from Barbara Boz Boutique, Backcountry North, Found Objects, J. McLaughlin, Lori Karbal and Tender.

Elaina Ryder was a good emcee for the brief program in which new society president Elaine Szot thanked event chairs Nora Hamill and Carol Roney, gave a shout out to CCS 2013 Woman of the Year Pamela Hildebrand and invited nonmembers interested in joining to call Amy Zimmer (248-703-2671).

But for everybody at the event, the highlight was the remarkable speech by society member Katie Parks. With humor, heart and soul, she wove her personal history as an adopted child with a double handicap and her adoptive mother defined by hope, a young widow with two children, a caregiver and a business woman into a tapestry of faith and hope.

As in the Hope Diamond which begins life as a lump of coal and the yearning of the boys who live at Christ Child House to be adopted, “Hope will always sustain downtownpublications.com

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1. Drs. Joe Skoney and alliance board chair Luisa DiLorenzo of Birmingham. 2. Drs. Rob Hawthorne (left) and Alice Fecko with her parents Ann and event co-founder Dr. Paul Fecko of Bloomfield.

3. Dr. Kim Drenser and Mark Hagmann of Bloomfield with featured vintner Bob Egelhoff of St. Helena, CA. 4. Molly and Jan Faultersack of Bloomfield. 5. Marilyn Rauth (left) of Bloomfield and Leet Denton of Grosse Pointe. 6. Patsy Denton (left) of Grosse Pointe and Bob Rauth of Bloomfield. 7. Jack and Becky Andrews of Bloomfield with Carla and Jerry Teagan of Grosse Pointe. 8. Susy and Dr. Jack Baker of Bloomfield. 9. Darrell Finken (left) of Grosse Pointe and Dr. Paul Fecko and Beverly Lopatin of Bloomfield.

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Christ Child Society’s Pour Les Enfants

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1. Event chairs Carol Roney (left) and Nora Hamill of Bloomfield with Jan Petcoff of Birmngham. 2. Featured speaker Katie Parks (left) and Sue Fritz of Bloomfield with Colleen McGough and Anne Marie Udell of Birmingham. 3. New president Elaine Szot (left) of Troy and past president Molly Robinson of Bloomfield. 4. Jackie Hamill (left) of Bloomfield and her daughter Jody Jennings of Beverly Hills. 5. Molly Markley (left) and Patsy Flynn of Bloomfield and Stacey Cross of Birmingham. 6. Judy Juneau (left) and Joan Page of Bloomfield and Mary Debaisio of Birmingham. 7. Cathie Weissenborn (left) of Bloomfield and Mary Dakin of Birmingham.

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Sunset at the Zoo Benefactor Party

and guide us,” she said. “Strong? Not me. My faith is strong,“ she concluded, as all gave her a standing ovation. Her speech was so powerful and moving that society spiritual advisor Msgr. John Zenz referenced it in a subsequent homily at Holy Name Church.

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1. Peter Karmanos (left) of Orchard Lake with Bobbi Polk and event host KC Crain of Bloomfield. 2. Sunset co-chair Kelle Ilitch (left), Stephen Polk and Mark Reuss of Bloomfield. 3. Zoo CEO Ron Kagan (left) of Royal Oak and Chris Ilitch of Bloomfield. 4. Kirk Profit (left) of Ann Arbor with his Nautilus Award and DZS board vice-chair Linda Wasserman Aviv of Birmingham. 5. Julie Reyes Taubman of Bloomfield and Peter Remington of Birmingham. 6. Danialle Karmanos (left) of Orchard Lake and Lauren Rakolta Fitzgerald of Birmingham. 7. Ethan Davidson (left) and Michael Fitzgerald of Birmingham. 8. Ruth Glancy (left) of Grosse Pointe and Liz Luckenbach of Birmingham. 9. Laura Segal (left) of Franklin with her sister Carol Ziecik and Cathy Rosenthal of Bloomfield. 10. Bob Littman (left) of Birmingham with Andrea and David Page of Bloomfield.

Diamonds and Champagne Fundraiser

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1. Wilson Yee of Commerce with Adrienne Katke of Bloomfield. 2. Dina Borchardt (left) of Clarkston, Lisa Hords of Bloomfield, Fiona Coin of Birmingham and Rhonda Dickow of Farmington Hills. 3. Taleen Avedian (left) of Bloomfield, Kristine Theil of Royal Oak and Erica Skrabut of Farmington Hills.

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Sunset at the Zoo Benefactor Party Three-plus weeks before the “wildest party of the summer’, some 100 Detroit Zoological Society loyalists ($750 per person) socialized and sipped Boardwalk Breezers on the terrace, lawn and around the pool at KC and Ashley Crain’s Bloomfield Hills home. The specialty brew was a salute to the Boardwalk Bash theme of Sunset celebrating the zoo’s Cotton Family Wetlands and Jane and Frank Warchol Beaver Habitat. They also applauded when zoo chief Ron Kagan and board vice chair Linda Wasserman Aviv surprised governmental affairs consultant Kirk Profit with the Nautilus Award for his almost 20-years of low profile but serious zoo fundraising. They also departed with a souvenir – a little furry beaver from the zoo’s gift shop. These would make cuddly additions to the nurseries of two expectant mommies at the party – Ashley Crain and Gretchen Davidson.

Diamonds and Champagne Fundraiser In just a few short weeks, Adrienne L. Katke orchestrated a girls night out party that raised more than $10,000 for Crohns and Colitis research. More than 80 gal pals made a $20 Love Offering at the door of her Bloomfield Hills home where they sipped champagne and nibbled on Morels’ sliders and Little Miss Cake Pop sweets. They also shopped at local vendor displays and participated in a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. For $30, they could buy a special glass of champagne containing a “diamond”, one of which was real. Academy of the Sacred Heart Early Childhood director Patti Wagner got it and chose a $2,500 diamond cross from a selection donated by Golden Sun Jewelry. Strolling magician Jasen Magic (www.JasenMagic.com) enlivened the festivities, planned to kick start the Katke family’s participation in CCFA’s largest, national fundraiser – the Take Steps Walk. They participate because Broder Katke was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease last year when he was three-yearsold. “We want to find a way to make his belly aches go away,” said his mother.

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

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ENDNOTE

Bloomfield Township's $80 million bond issue

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ithin the last few weeks, Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved the adoption of a resolution to issue $80 million in pension obligation bonds in order to fully fund the township pension fund to the tune of $80 million, cover the costs of issuing the bonds and diversify the portfolio with the assumption that investment returns will offset payments. By issuing the pension obligation bonds, the township will satisfy its obligation of fully funding the pension, and, according to township finance director Ray Perkins, pay $6 million annually for 20 years to satisfy the bond debt, rather than $10 million now paid annually to fund the pension.

Bloomfield Township isn't different from many other communities or other layers of government.

Decades ago it was a common practice to give away pension benefits rather standing up to unions when it came time to negotiate wages in contracts. Rather than standing strong, and saying we can't afford these costs, leaders in many communities kicked the can down the road, so to speak, by promising rich pensions and benefit packages in lieu of large wage increases.

Rather than negotiate hard on wages and benefits, former administrators loaded up on retiree pensions and benefits, saddling communities with legacy costs which proved to be unsustainable. Pension funds primarily were funded to meet just the minimum amount needed to pay for those retirees taking out benefits.

Officials 30-40 years ago would privately concede that the pension promises were a problem waiting to happen. Today there has been

a realization that the need to live up to the promises of the past is an expense that government cannot really afford. Proactive leadership in some communities, like the Oakland County government and Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, have worked to change defined benefits packages to defined contribution benefits packages, where pensions for more recent hires are in a 401(a) retirement savings account. Birmingham city manager Bob Bruner noted that the movement to defined contribution packages began for some communities, such as Ferndale and Auburn Hills in the 1990s; Birmingham began the process with non-union personnel about 10 years ago, and completely closed their defined benefits system in 2012 with agreements by their police and fire unions.

Bloomfield Township's leadership is taking advantage of a change in state law that allows a municipality or county with a bond rating of at least AA, and which has closed their defined benefit benefit plan, to issue pension obligation bonds to cover unfunded pension liabilities. In Michigan, voters are only asked to approve bonds where there is a tax being levied to make the bond payments. While $80 million may seem an enormous amount of debt for the township to incur, keep in mind that the township already has a multi-million dollar debt in the form of unfunded pension liabilities which will be eliminated. And despite some residents' displeasure, there is no requirement for township leaders to request a vote of the public on it because there is a repayment plan for the bonds

that does not involve a millage. Bonds are issued all of the time in all municipalities across the state without community votes.

Voters do have the right to a referendum if they petition within 45 days to put the issue before voters. However, we do not recommend residents do that in this situation because the pension obligation bond issue makes the best financial sense for Bloomfield Township.

The premise of this bond is not only to fully fund the retirement pensions, but to remove the unfunded liabilities from the township's books and maintain its AAA financial health rating. There is also a desire to reduce the financial toll upon the township which the longstanding annual pension payments impose on current and future budgets.

Based on the numbers presented by the township, this scenario makes sense, much like it did for Oakland County in recent years when it took the same path to fully fund its pension. Any venture like this involves risk, but so does the current situation with the pension, so at this time the bond issue makes sense, assuming the projections for return on investment hold up.

As a footnote to the Bloomfield Township pension bonds, there is a lesson here for Bloomfield Hills, which unfortunately is still mired in the mindset of paying the unions, which is all but five administrative employees, benefits which remain in defined benefit plans. No community is immune from having to pay the piper years down the road and addressing the nature of retirement benefits now will save the community pain in the years to come.

Township needs ethics ordinance and board

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his publication was very surprised at a recent Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting when, in the midst of a final site plan and lot split for an office/retail complex requested

by A.R. Jonna at Square Lake and Telegraph, about three-quarters of the way through the presentation and discussion trustee Brian Kepes turned to township supervisor Leo Savoie and said quietly, “I often work with Mr. Jonna, but not on this project, so I shouldn't have any conflicts.”

Savoie responded, “OK,” and continued with the meeting, not addressing any potential conflict of interest between the parties, nor did he request that Kepes recuse himself from the votes. No other board member responded to the issue, either.

In other communities, when an elected official has any sort of business relationship with someone coming before the municipal body, we have noted that the official always brings up their relationship ahead of time, and usually recuses himself or herself from any decision making. That is the appropriate way of avoiding any conflict of interest, or any whiff

of impropriety. Frankly, we were surprised that Kepes not only waited to alert his fellow trustees of his working relationship with Jonna until close to the vote, but that no one pursued further details to address the question of whether there was a potential conflict of interest.

In April 2011, when we wrote a feature article about ethics ordinances in communities, we discovered that of the three communities we cover, only Birmingham had one. Further, Birmingham has an ethics board which allows for an impartial, professional way to resolve disagreements, and permits a board or council to have a means of enforcement if they provide an opinion to the board or council that an ethical boundary has been crossed. The board also provides a mechanism for officials, both elected and appointed, along with citizens, to raise issues in advance relative to possible conflits that might occur. Since our story, Bloomfield Hills has enacted an ethics ordinance, leaving only Bloomfield Township without any codified ethical

standards, a glaring deficiency for any community.

Ethics comes from a branch of philosophy that addresses questions of morality, and the concepts of good and evil, right and wrong, virtues vs. vices, and what is appropriate justice for a crime.

The key to a good ethics ordinance, or policy, is to avoid even the whiff of impropriety or conflict of interest. As someone said, “If you have to ask, then it's probably unethical.”

An ordinance allows a community to ask the questions and explore appropriate answers. By not having an ordinance or policy, it precludes the ability to ask the question, often until there is an actual problem. By having a policy which states what is allowed—and what is not—officials, employees and members of the community are able operate from the same page - a clean one.

Good intentions are simply not enough these days. It's imperative that Bloomfield Township without delay, adopt an ethics ordinance at a minimum and we recommend they take the extra step to establish an ethics board.

20

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