KIRK GIBSON
Leadership, Legacy and the Men Who Shape It
There’s a quiet confidence that defines the men in this community. Those who lead with consistency, integrity and presence.
This month, we’re proud to feature former Detroit Tiger Kirk Gibson on the cover. He represents more than a legacy of toughness and discipline; he’s leading a new fight through the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's. It’s a story of how a local sports hero is using influence to change lives.
Inside, you’ll also meet our Men of Influence, individuals shaping West Bloomfield through example. These are men who understand that success is measured in impact, not achievement. You’ll also find stories like Clean Vision Detailing & Tints, where the owner remembers how his father's inspiration drives him still today.
And then there’s influencer Mike Johnson from The Bachelorette, in a story that reminds us that confidence, authenticity and character resonate far beyond television screens.
This issue is for the men who quietly set the tone, and for the women who recognize and appreciate the values behind them. Influence isn’t always loud. Often, it’s lived.
TODD HAIGHT, PUBLISHER
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Margaret Haight | margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Allison Sommerville allison.sommerville@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jessica Parsons | jessica.parsons@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Simran Bajwa, Darrell Ellis
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
inside the issue
Men of Influence
SHANE PLISKA PRESIDENT OF PLANTERRA CONSERVATORY
ARTICLE BY TODD HAIGHT
Why have you chosen to build your business and raise your family in West Bloomfield? What makes this community special to you?
Our roots in West Bloomfield run deep. Planterra is a family business founded by my father in 1973, and in 1983, he relocated the company here after acquiring Johnson’s Gardens – a historic greenhouse complex dating back to the 1930s. Some have even said the Planterra property is one of the oldest continuously operating business sites in the Township. I grew up on the Planterra property, catching frogs in the creek as a kid and later working in the greenhouse. West Bloomfield isn’t just where we do business, it’s where our story began and continues to evolve.
As a leader, what example do you hope to set for others in West Bloomfield?
I believe in setting a standard of excellence. At Planterra, we aim to deliver exceptional customer experiences at a world-class level. That commitment to quality, consistency and pride in our work is something I hope serves as a model for others.
What is something about you that most people wouldn’t know?
I enjoy oil painting.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy most?
Cooking and travel. Both are outlets for learning.
LEONARD (LEN) FOX
FRANCHISE OWNER, THE BACK NINE –CLARKSTON & WEST BLOOMFIELD
thebackninegolf.com/west-bloomfield-mi
Why have you chosen to build your business and raise your family in West Bloomfield? What makes this community special to you?
West Bloomfield represents a unique blend of community, quality of life, and opportunity. It’s a place where people value experiences, relationships, and growth. From a business standpoint, it’s the ideal environment to introduce a concept like The Back Nine—where golf, networking, and entertainment come together. From a personal standpoint, it’s a community where you can build something meaningful and see the direct impact.
As a leader, what example do you hope to set for others in West Bloomfield?
I believe in leading through action and consistency. For me, that means showing up, building relationships, and creating opportunities not just for myself, but for others around me. I want people to see that you can build something at a high level while still staying connected to the community and giving back along the way.
What advice would you give to others who want to make a positive impact in the West Bloomfield community?
Get involved and be visible. Impact doesn’t happen from a distance—it happens through relationships. Whether it’s partnering with local businesses, supporting community events, or simply showing up consistently, those small actions compound into something meaningful over time.
What is something about you that most people wouldn’t know?
Most people don’t know that I played college basketball and only started taking golf seriously a couple of years ago. That journey has been a big part of why I’m so passionate about helping others improve and enjoy the game in a different way.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy most?
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, golfing, riding my motorcycle, and giving back to the community. Being from Flint, Michigan, I’ve always believed that the real impact comes from what you do for others.
SHAWN ST. ANDRE PRESIDENT, COVENANT CONSULTING SERVICES
covenantconsultingteam.com
Why have you chosen to build your business and raise your family in West Bloomfield?
I was first introduced to the community through a previous organization that was opening a new location here. At the time, I had no established relationships or resources in the area, so I leaned into a simple principle. Care for your neighbor. Many of the community’s leaders took notice and invited me to collaborate alongside them. Within a year, I found myself working closely with the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber Board. We’re fortunate to have an incredibly strong Chamber, led by Executive Director Suzanne Levine. It continues to be one of the most valuable resources for business owners in West Bloomfield and the surrounding communities.
As a leader, what example do you hope to set for others in West Bloomfield?
I believe the most valuable form of capital is often overlooked. Relationships. There’s a wellknown African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” My goal is to model a leadership style that prioritizes trust, collaboration and long-term connection over short-term wins.
What advice would you give to others who want to make a positive impact in the West Bloomfield community?
In a world that often emphasizes calling people out in disagreement, I encourage others to focus on calling people in to collaboration. The strength of any community lies in its diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. Surround yourself with people who challenge you and be willing to engage in conversations that move things forward, not just to prove a point.
What is something about you that most people wouldn’t know?
Ten years ago, my life looked very different. I made a series of poor decisions that damaged many of my relationships. I share that not for sympathy, but as a reminder change is always possible. No matter where you are, it’s never too late to rebuild, grow and lead differently.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy most?
Outside of music, I’m an avid outdoorsman – hunting, fishing, boating and riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers. These are hobbies I learned from my father, and today I’m grateful to share them with my family.
Kirk Gibson’s New Team
INSIDE THE DETROIT TIGERS LEGEND’S FIGHT AGAINST PARKINSON’S AND HOW HE’S COACHING OTHERS THROUGH IT
ARTICLE BY TODD HAIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMRAN BAJWA
Mary Lynn Foster, Cam Gibson, Kirk Gibson, Steve Annear
I’m midstream in conversation with Kirk Gibson when the Detroit Tigers legend suddenly pauses. He’s spotted someone lining up a shot at the pool table on the far side of the room.
Gibson offers a quick apology and steps away from the interview.
“I need to go show Harry a thing or two,” he says.
With that, Kirk is at the table, cue in hand, trading shots and quiet banter. The man is Harry Neuman of West Bloomfield. And in that unscripted moment, the story reveals itself.
For decades, Harry has lived a quiet life, far from the spotlight that followed Kirk. But like so many diagnosed with Parkinson’s, including Gibson himself, his world had gradually begun to narrow.
“You sit at home just reading the paper and watching television,” Harry says. “Every day. That’s what it becomes.”
Before finding The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, that rhythm defined his days. A few months ago, someone encouraged him to visit. At first, it was occasional. Now, it’s daily.
“Everything here is free if you have Parkinson’s. It’s just for them, because it’s the only place they can be comfortable being themselves.”
– Kirk Gibson
Kirk playing pool with Harry Neuman
“I’m here Monday through Friday,” he says. “I don’t miss too many days.”
“Here, I can sit and talk with people who understand exactly what I’m going through,” Harry says. “You can’t get that anywhere else. Not like this.”
In just a few months, he’s formed what he calls a wide circle, dozens of people he knows by name. People who notice when he’s not there.
“My family loves that I come here,” he adds. “It’s changed my life.”
For Kirk, this is the point. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, he approached it the way he approached everything else: As a problem to solve, for others more than for himself. The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness in Farmington Hills is that starting point.
This feels less like a facility and more like a private club, with one admittance requirement: Parkinson’s.
“Everything here is free if you have Parkinson’s,” says Kirk. “It’s just for them, because it’s the only place they can be comfortable being themselves.”
“People come in and realize they belong here,” says the center’s CEO, Mary Lynn Foster. “They quickly see they’re not alone in their disease. That’s why some people drive an hour or more just to be here.”
This shared experience is what makes moments like the one at the pool table feel so natural. A World Series hero stepping away from a tour because someone on his team is ready to play.
Inside these walls, titles fade. Watching Kirk interact with the members – friends, actually – you realize fame doesn’t matter here, only the common ground shared by those with Parkinson’s.
Just months after opening, the center already offers more than 130 weekly classes to help members manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease. Classes focus on balance, speech, functional strength, brain health, posture, breathing and more.
Tour the center and you’ll see members boxing or practicing yoga and tai chi. Others create art or power walk on the elevated track.
In one class, members practice handwriting to help counter the micrographia (small handwriting) brought on by Parkinson’s. Elsewhere, the cardio drumming class improves upper body strength, while spinning builds endurance.
“Our members are supported by highly experienced coaches and volunteers who have created a culture that is deeply human and personal,” says Mary Lynn. “We expect to see more than 60,000 visits to the center this year.”
On any given day, the mission is simple: show up, move, connect.
Adds Steve Annear, CEO for the Kirk Gibson Foundation: “We’re building something that can go beyond this building. There’s a need for this in every community, and we’re thinking about how to take what we’re learning here and share it.”
The physical benefits are measurable: improvements in balance, strength, mobility. And something even more important: Hope.
In a recent survey, 92 percent of member participants report a more hopeful outlook on their lives.
With Parkinson’s, hope is a treasured commodity that’s revealed in small ways. Like how Harry, once isolated at home, now shows up every day.
Cam Gibson is director of brand development for the center. He’s also Kirk’s son and a former professional baseball player in his own right.
CONTINUED >
Cam Gibson in the music room, one of the many thoughtfully designed spaces at the center
Main common area of the center
Cam and Kirk from the bleachers
“I came into this after baseball, not really knowing what I was doing,” he says. “Now I see how much this matters. You see the relationships and the connections, and you realize the social benefit is just as important as anything happening in the classes.”
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the developed world, so the need for spaces like this continues to grow. Gibson’s leadership in creating something brand new feels familiar, like what we once watched on the field.
“You may not be doing it for you today,” Kirk says. “Do it for the next person.”
Always thinking about the team.
That mindset, rooted in years of winning through strategy and collaboration, resonates here, because no one is doing this alone.
Across the room, the game of pool continues. Two men – one known across the baseball world, one in his local community – share the same space and the same experience.
On the same team.
And for Kirk Gibson, this may be the most meaningful one yet.
kirkgibsoncenter.org l (313) 823-2319
How You Can Support the Mission
The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness offers every program at no cost to members, ensuring the individuals and families who are navigating Parkinson’s can receive support without financial strain.
This mission succeeds only through the generosity of others.
“We know what this center means to the people who come here,” says Steve Annear, Foundation CEO. “Just in our general area, more than 8,000 people are impacted by Parkinson’s disease. How do we make sure they have access to these services at no cost? That takes a lot of funding and volunteers.”
The foundation is working toward a $30 million goal to support access and expand programming.
To learn more or to support the goal, visit kirkgibsonfoundation. org to get involved. Donations and partnerships bring hope, movement, education and connection to everyone living with Parkinson’s.
KirkGibson and Steve Annear
PRECISION MEETS PROTECTION
ARTICLE BY TODD HAIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARREL ELLIS
Inside
Clean Vision Tinting & Detailing, where craftsmanship defines every finish
Ryan Lloyd was nine years old, sitting beside his dad, carefully piecing together model cars.
It wasn’t just about the rote assembly. It was the detail, the way each piece fit just right. The sense of pride when the finished models displayed a perfect shine.
Even then, he thought, “I’d like to do something like this when I grow up.”
Ryan is amazed how something so simple became something so defining.
“That’s where it started. With my dad,” he says, becoming emotional. “He taught me there’s real satisfaction in seeing something restored. Elevated .”
Clean Vision is, in many ways, the realization of that childhood vision, offering full-service interior and exterior detailing of vehicles, motorcycles, RVs and boats. But the heart of the business lies in its more specialized services: window tinting and advanced paint protection.
“Tinting is an art,” he says. “Every piece of glass behaves differently. The curves, the angles. It takes patience and precision to get it right.”
Not just with vehicles. Clean Vision handles tinting across a wide range of applications, from boats and homes to commercial buildings and restaurants.
Modern films reduce heat, block UV rays and provide privacy, from subtle shading to reflective, mirror-like finishes. For drivers, that means comfort, visibility and a more refined look. For homeowners, this protects hardwood floors and furnishings from sun damage.
“We just finished a lake house,” Ryan says. “From the outside, the reflective film gives the homeowners privacy. Inside, you see the lake perfectly, almost as if there was no tinting at all.”
It’s a quiet upgrade, one that becomes essential once you’ve experienced it.
If tinting is about refinement, paint protection is about preservation. Ryan and his partner, Justin Strobel, are certified in several systems, including Icon Rocklear, a next-generation coating that goes well beyond traditional ceramic finishes.
Unlike standard coatings designed primarily for shine, Icon adds measurable thickness to a vehicle’s surface, effectively creating a protective barrier over the original paint.
“It’s restorative and protective,” Justin explains. “It fills in scratches, brings back clarity and guards against future damage.”
The results can be remarkable. Vehicles with faded or marred finishes regain depth and luster. Everyday drivers gain added resilience against chips and scratches. And unlike many coatings, Icon is fully repairable, so damage can often be corrected without compromising the original paint beneath.
That level of protection – plus Ryan and Justin’s meticulous level of care – attracts family cars, weekend rides and a few other unusual clients. Like the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing a local owner recently entrusted to Ryan and his team
for paint protection. The exceptionally rare collector car can be valued at more than $2 million.
“You might think we’d be nervous,” Ryan says. “But we approach every vehicle the same way. Do what you know, do it right and don’t cut corners.”
For Ryan, this philosophy is what drives the business. “We’d rather do fewer cars and do them right,” he says. “Our goal is to get it as close to perfect as possible.”
Which is why some customers drive an hour or more to bring their vehicles to Clean Vision. Not because it’s the cheapest option, but because the team offers something increasingly rare: expertise, education and honesty.
They walk clients through every step of the process, explaining not just what they’re buying but why it matters. In some cases, they’ll recommend a less expensive service if it better suits the client’s needs.
“This is not about taking money out of someone’s pocket,” says Ryan. “It’s about giving them what makes sense for them.” A small detail, perhaps. But at Clean Vision, details are everything.
In the end, whether it’s a daily driver or a collector car, the goal remains the same: to deliver something that’s protected and looks unmistakably cared for.
Long before the shop, before the certifications and high-end coatings, there were model cars, each one a small exercise in precision and imagination.
And somewhere along the way, that nine-year-old kid sitting beside his dad became someone entrusted with a $2 million car.
You get the sense his dad would be proud.
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
Nice? Is Whiskey On Ice
In speaking to Whiskey lovers (most happen to be men, but do accept me in their brethren as a fellow enthusiast, writer, and educator), I’ve learned a great many opinions on how to drink Whiskey. Specifically, preferences on adding water and ice vary greatly.
A brand ambassador that I had the privilege of listening to recently said the obvious: both dilution and temperature change when you add ice, so if you are going to add something, a little water is best. I personally prefer to use a water dropper, so I can add one drop at a time until I get to the desired taste.
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES:
THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY YOUR WHISKEY: ON THE ROCKS, ROCK, NEAT, OR WITH WATER
Rocks: Provides the highest rate of dilution as a lot of ice melts quickly. If you are drinking a barrel proof Whiskey, it kind of defeats the purpose as the distiller didn’t add water as they do in every other type of finished Whiskey.
On the Rock: The single rock, cube, or sphere is the slowest to melt and thought to be the most aesthetic. It’s nice if you want to stretch out your tasting. I often order on the rock if I want my drink to last longer.
Neat: This is the way single malt Scotch is served at a tasting event, in a branded Glencairn or Neat glass so that proper nosing for aromas can be achieved - and a dram of Scotch, smaller than an ounce, fits in them perfectly.
Water: As I mentioned above, quoting the brand ambassador, a little water is better for a fine Whiskey over any kind of ice. Often, if ordered with water, the water is served in a separate vessel on the side so you can add in as much as you want.
Quoting another expert on the subject, Richard Paterson of The Dalmore famously and enthusiastically demonstrates in his Scotch classes how to drink single malt Scotch Whiskey: Paterson fills a lowball glass to the rim with ice, adds Scotch and then ceremoniously throws it over his shoulder onto the carpet of the classroom – because that much ice makes the drink worthless. One more quote, never “add green tea or milk to Whiskey. You can add a little water, but not a lot of ice.”
Ultimately, the reason we add ice can be for aesthetics, to stretch out the time spent on one glass, for cooling, and for dilution. However, the number one reason enthusiasts add water is … drumroll please … because adding a little water actually opens up a Whiskey to show more aromas and flavors.
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PICKLE-BRINED CHICKEN WINGS SOAR TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH ALABAMA WHITE SAUCE.
Pickle In A
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect wing flavor, never quite satisfied, until I heard a podcast suggestion: brining chicken wings in pickle juice. It sounded strange at first, but it yields incredibly tender and flavorful wings! Since then, I save pickle juice from every jar I buy just to recreate these beloved wings. If I run out of pickle juice, olive juice works too. I air fry mine, but if you don’t have an air fryer, cook them as you normally would. Don’t forget to toss them in a buttery dill sauce and try the Alabama white BBQ sauce for an extra layer of goodness!
Pickle Juice Brined Wings
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds chicken wings (flats and drummettes)
• Pickle juice - enough to cover wings
• 1 – 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 6 tablespoons butter
• A few dashes of hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place chicken wings in a non-reactive container and pour pickle juice over chicken wings until completely covered.
2. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate, covered, for at least 8 hours.
3. Drain wings, discard pickle juice, and completely pat wings dry.
4. Put dried wings in a bowl and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Mix well.
5. Place wings in an air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd. Cook at 400 degrees for 28 minutes, turning every 8 minutes until crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
6. Melt the butter and add a few splashes of hot sauce of your choice and mix in a bowl. Add wings and completely cover with butter mixture. Sprinkle with fresh dill and toss a few times, and serve with my white barbeque sauce.
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
INGREDIENTS
• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (I prefer Duke’s)
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pepper, coarsely ground
• 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk all ingredients together until blended. Dip your pickle juice-brined wings in this sauce and taste the joy! Store in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 weeks.
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SUMMER GRILL RECIPES
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOBROW
THESE DELICIOUS RECIPES ARE LIGHT, BRIGHT AND FEEL LIKE SUMMER
The sun has returned, and grilling season is upon us. With the nice weather comes vegetable gardens and fresh produce, along with the overwhelming desire to be outside as much as possible. We’ve compiled some fresh and light dishes that you can shop for at your local farmers market and whether you’re looking for a quick mid-week meal or something to grill for a crowd on the weekend these dishes won’t disappoint. These pair well together or can stand on their own!
INGREDIENTS:
• 2lbs. Outside skirt steak*
• 2 Tablespoons lime*
• 2 Tablespoons finely, chopped cilantro
• ¼ Cup olive oil or avocado oil
• ¼ White onion, finely chopped
• 1 Tablespoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place skirt steak into gallon freezer bag
2. Combine all other ingredients in bowl and mix. Pour over steak and marinate for 3-4 hours or overnight in the fridge.
3. Bring skirt steak to room temperature by letting it sit out for one hour.
4. Get your grill hot on one side and medium on the other.
SIMPLE SKIRT STEAK
5. Once the grill is ready, wipe excess marinade off steak. Starting on the hot side, place skirt steak on grill for 2 minutes per side, attaining a nice sear.
6. Transfer steak to the cooler side of grill and cook until the internal temp is 130°. Let rest for 10 minutes (temp will rise while resting).
7. Carve and serve. This dish pairs well with beans and rice or served as tacos. Following is a chimichurri sauce that compliments it nicely.
*Outside skirt steak is a more tender cut than inside skirt steak, for this recipe outside skirt is recommended. Do not use too much lime as the citrus can cook the meat before putting it on the grill, resulting in a tougher texture.
SUM MER
CHIMICHURRI
INGREDIENTS:
• ½ Cup parsley, finely chopped
• ½ Cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Red chili (whole or deseeded depending on desired level of heat)
• ½ Teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. You can make this in the late morning and let it sit for around 4-6 hours, or you can make it the day before and let the flavors meld overnight in the fridge. Just be sure to take it out and get it to room temp before you serve it, as olive oil hardens in the fridge. Serve over skirt steak or tacos.
ROASTED CORN SALSA
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 Ears sweet corn
• 10oz. Cherry tomatoes
• ¼ Cup lime juice
• 1 Finely chopped jalapeno or serrano (whole or deseeded depending on desired level of heat)
• ¼ Cup cilantro, finely chopped
• ½ Cup white onion, chopped
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Grill corn, you do not need to soak the corn beforehand.
2. Place corn on the grill (inside their husks) over medium heat turning every few minutes.
3. After 10 to 12 minutes shuck the corn and put the cobs back on the grill for 2-4 minutes rotating frequently to achieve that charred look and flavor.
4. Cut the corn from the cob, place in bowl and add all other ingredients. Let the mixture meld for about an hour and serve with tortilla chips or as a taco garnish.
events
JUNE 2ND, 10TH, 16TH & 24TH
Carrabba's Wine & Bourbon Dinners
Carrabba's Italian Grill, 43455 West Oaks Drive, Novi | 6:30 PM
Enjoy a 4-course dinner with specially paired wines and bourbons at the June Wine Dinners and Bourbon Dinners at Carrabba's. This isn't just a meal, its an experience with the Carrabba's team, where you'll discover incredible off-menu dishes and meet new friends. RSVP for the Wine Dinners (June 2 and 10) or Bourbon Dinners (June 16 and 24) at carrabbas.com or call (248) 735.0400.
SATURDAYS JUNE 13TH & 27TH
The Magic Soiree: Where Magic Gets Funny
Embassy Suites by Hilton, 850 Tower Drive, Troy | 5:15 PM
The Magic Soiree Early and Late Show, a magic-comedy dinner show, begins with close-up magic performed at your table in the Atrium Bar & Grill. Then, you'll be mesmerized by a cabaret-style stage show hosted by Lady Sarah and Keith Fields, an award-winning duo known for their mind-blowing magic. Two shows each date: 5:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. RSVP at themagicsoiree.com or (248) 990-8198.
JUNE 16TH
West Bloomfield Health & Wellness Event
West Bloomfield Township, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield | 11:00 AM
Join the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and West Bloomfield Township for this great event to explore health and wellness businesses in our community. Civic Center TV will cover the event. Open to the public at no charge. There is a fee to be a vendor or sponsor. For more information, contact the Chamber at (248) 626-3636 or email wbloomfieldchamber@gmail.com.
– Andy Appleby, Owner/CEO
United Shore Professional Baseball League