Downtown Newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

DOWNTOWN04.26

29

ICE COMES TO OAKLAND WHICH RAISES CONCERN

With memories still fresh about violence surrounding the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts, distressed metro Detroit residents, as well as some elected officials and grassroots organizers, fear the horrific scenes from Minneapolis will repeat here.

17

CRIME MAP

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format, plus a reminder about our online interactive map with story details on public safety incidents.

20

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

Dueling for political endorsements; 10th House district polling; McDonald and Savit duke it out; faith leadership group formed by Leonard; fake electors sue Nessel; latest polling on the race for governor; plus more.

43

MUNICIPAL

Commissioner Anthony Long resigning; Baldwin Library budget set; library adopt FOIA policy; Next lease agreement set; township SAD refund to residents; Hunt House goes to court; upscale market in township; plus more.

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CRIME MAP

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

Oakland Confidential is a column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-therecord. We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential.

DUELING ENDORSEMENTS: There’s campaign money, boots on the ground and positions on issues but a key and often overlooked ingredient in any election is also endorsements. A number of studies have shown announced public support from others can mean as much as 13-15 percent when it comes to influencing voters – at least in primary contests in which dedicated party voters cast ballots. Position papers from a number of social scientists say that the public support from notables helps identify if a candidate has similar interests and positions as someone casting a ballot. A powerful tool, especially with undecided voters. That would explain the constant stream of emails and press releases by candidates when they pick up endorsements from elected officials, community leaders and organizations. Take the race for the 2026 U.S. Senate in Michigan between Democrats Abdul El-Sayed, state Senator Mallory McMorrow and U.S. House member Haley Stevens The endorsement battle is a fight to gain public backing in the Detroit and metro area, where statewide contests like this one are heavily influenced, while at the same time demonstrating the ability to garner support in the broader area of the Mitten State. Based on what’s posted on each candidate’s website, here’s an abbreviated peak at the declared who’s who. El-Sayed has on his list four members of congress, including Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Local officials, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Former Bloomfield Township Congressman Andy Levin. There’s a fairly long list of state House members. McMorrow’s list includes Trenton Bowers, chair of the Michigan Black Summit; four U.S. Senators, including Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Elizabeth Warren. Former governor and DNC Chair Howard Dean John Cherry Jr., former Michigan Lieutenant Governor. Ten current Michigan lawmakers plus former members of the state legislature. A decent list of local officials from around the state, including newly elected Birmingham City Commissioner Bill Kolb. Directed at the Detroit vote, she has a few of the church leaders in the city. A few unions. The list for Stevens includes former Democratic State Party Chair Lavora Barnes. Former U.S. House member Brenda Lawrence of Southfield and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi of California. Fourteen members of the Congressional Black Caucus have thrown their hat for her, along with the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus. Former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard. Former state Senator Gilda Jacobs. Thirteen US. House members and a dozen or so elected Oakland officials and community leaders, plus about 11 Detroit area mayors. A fairly strong number of unions. Expect additions to all three lists in the remaining 90 days before primary ballots are issued in late June.

WHO LOVES YOU BABY: Senate candidates are not the only ones showing off their endorsements, with Michigan candidates for a variety of offices seeking stature parading their supporters as advocates for their positions. One candidate we’re hearing a lot from is Republican Secretary of State nomination candidate Monica Yatooma, who boasts some major MAGA cred in her court, with “pro election integrity” folk supporting her, including Carolyn Richards, chair of the St. Clair County Republican Party and its exec committee, as well as St. Clair County GOP; Anthony Noble, clerk of White Lake Township; Sonja Buffa, Warren Clerk; and Minde Lux, Isabella County Clerk, along with Dr. John Eastman, election counsel to President Donald Trump following January 6, 2021. Yatooma isn’t the only SOS candidate racking up the endorsements – Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, running for the Democratic nod, boasts the endorsement of the Michigan Democratic Party Progressive Caucus, Rev. Horace Sheffield; Christopher Taylor, mayor, Ann Arbor; David LaGrand, mayor, Grand Rapids; Dayna Polehanki, state Senator; state Rep. Carrie Rheingans; and numerous unions, including Michigan AFL-CIO, UAW, AFT, MEA, Carpenters, Unite Here

Local 24, LiUNA and the Next 50. Will Dems be more swayed by Gilchrist’s endorsements, or the news that he skipped 94 percent of Senate session days in 2025, when lieutenant governors are expected to preside over the Senate as the de facto leader of the Senate? Former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli is certainly hoping for the latter. Secretary of State – along with Attorney General, state Supreme Court candidates and university trustees – are chosen not by primary voters, but by the state party electoral base at party conventions. The Republican convention takes place Saturday, March 28. The Democratic party convention takes place three weeks later, on Sunday, April 19.

1OTH DISTRICT MYSTERY: The 10th congressional district, following reapportionment in 2020, was considered one of the more competitive districts in the state. Donald Trump took it in 2024 with 54 percent of the vote, yet in 2022Democrats Jocelyn Benson took this area by 58 percent, and Dana Nessel pulled 54 percent of the vote while Republican John James captured the House seat as he did in 2024. With James now running for governor, the seat is open. The Cook Political Report has it leaning, just barely, Republican. The way some analysts see it, the Rochester and Rochester Hills part of this district, along with the central part of the Macomb County portion, are moderate to Republican areas. The southern part of this Macomb County district leans toward the Democrats. With an April filing deadline, at this point five Republicans and four Democrats are running. Three of the Democrat contenders at the start of this year had a fair amount of cash on hand: Eric Chung, an attorney, $716,000; TimGreimel, former state representative and former mayor of Pontiac, $480,000; and Christina Hines, former assistant prosecutor, $258,000. Some observers speculate that Hines may be the candidate to beat in the August primary. On the Republican side, three primary candidates at the end of last year also had considerable cash on hand: military veteran Michael Bouchard Jr., son of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, $520,000; Justin Kirk, an attorney that had worked in the Commerce Department, $397,981; and Robert Julgjuraj, former Macomb assistant prosecutor, $765,000. A few party observers are now saying Julgjuraj is well connected in Macomb County but others say Bouchard’s family name could carry weight at the polls, even though the Oakland portion of this district only accounts for about 15 percent of overall district population. Count Democrat Hines among those who think Bouchard is the likely general election contender, based on results of a Public Policy Polling poll released in late January. In a Hines-Bouchard contest, she led the son of the Oakland County Sheriff by two points. Bouchard led two other Democrats in the poll by anywhere from two-five points. Once again, observers point out that polls done prior to the late April filing deadline are less reliable.

PUT UP YOUR DUKES: It appears there is no love lost between Democratic attorney general candidates Karen McDonald, the current Oakland County Prosecutor, and Eli Savit, Washtenaw County Prosecutor. McDonald gained national notoriety and cred among many voters for her fervent and successful prosecution of the Oxford school shooter’s parents, apparently leaving Savit scrabbling for attention. It seems in January, Savit’s camp sent out a campaign mailer, followed by those beloved text messages to voters across Michigan, alleging McDonald accepted $80,000 to review a murder conviction from 2023. She promptly filed a defamation suit against Lakeshore Leaders Fund, the Michigan-based PAC associated with the text messages and social media postings. A stipulated judgement between the parties was reached in early February, with the PAC agreeing to admit the information they disseminated was defamatory and to pay $7,500 in damages. Savit’s campaign alleged a member of the campaign – the treasurer – was fired over the incident but continued the attacks on McDonald, telling The Detroit News, “Although neither our campaign nor Eli himself had anything to do with the mailer, Prosecutor McDonald’s decision to file a lawsuit in response to political speech calls into question her commitment to our First Amendment,” Savit’s campaign manager Christy Jensen said in a statement. With the lawsuit in her rear view mirror, McDonald is looking ahead. “Becoming Michigan’s next Attorney General requires transparency, accountability and strong leadership. I am laserfocused on listening to everyday Michiganders about the issues they face and how I can do more good as Attorney General.” It’ll all be decided by party convention-goers April 19.

HOMOGENOUS LEADERSHIP GROUP: One GOP gubernatorial candidate trying to find a way out of the pack appears to have put his foot in it. Former Speaker of the House Tom Leonard recently announced in late February a

“Statewide Faith & Freedom Coalition,” which includes Pastor James Brabson and Pastor Tim Berlin of Trinity Baptist Church in Flushing; Pastor Jason Georges of Immanuel Baptist Church in Curunna; Pastor Tom Jordan of Calvary Chapel in Waterford; Pastor Dan White of Fellowship Baptist Church in Clarklake...you get the picture. While there may be faith leaders from around Michigan, they all appear to be of one faith, and one ethnicity. In a release, Leonard said: “Michigan was built by communities of faith who believed in personal responsibility, strong families, and servant leadership. This coalition represents pastors and leaders who understand that faith is something that informs and inspires how we govern, guides why we serve, and anchors our respect for the rule of law.” The release further said, “The Faith & Freedom Coalition will focus on strengthening family values, protecting religious liberty and ensuring that Michigan remains a state where people of faith can live and work freely without government interference.” When asked about the striking lack of diversity of faiths represented, the campaign said this was just round one, and they expect to expand, although some faith leaders are reticent to publicly support the Leonard campaign. The more it appears as a “one faith group” it’s likely they’ll continue to resist.

CRAZINESS CONTINUES: If you think the 2020 presidential election was over and the dust settled, guess again. Not if you are a devout disciple of 47, the current President Donald J. Trump, who appears to encourage fighting, fighting, fighting over the election that is in most people’s rear view mirror. A group of “false electors,” led by former state GOP party co-chair Meshawn Maddock of Milford – who we hear is now on Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson’s payroll – filed a notice with the Michigan Court of Claims alleging the felony complaint Attorney General Dana Nessel had previously filed against Maddock and her cohorts was “malicious” and “filed with malicious intent.” For the record, those charges were dismissed in September 2025 due to insufficient evidence, and Nessel announced she would not appeal the decision. A Republican insider said Nessel had been right to pursue the election fraud suit. The insider noted Maddock and her associates feel perpetually picked on by government establishment. “They think they’ve been wronged. They’re zombies when it comes to Trump.” By the time the malicious intent suit comes up, Nessel will most likely be out of office.

THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR: We remind ourselves that any political polling in advance of the April filing deadline can be wishful thinking at best, and this would apply to the most recent taking of the temperature in a three-way contest for governor where 12 percent of those polled are still undecided. That said, the late February poll by the reliable pollster Richard Czuba of the Glengariff Group for the Detroit Regional Chamber is no doubt good news for independent candidate MikeDuggan, former Mayor of Detroit. The Glengariff poll focused on what some prognosticators say are the three candidates assumed to most likely to be in the general election – Duggan, Republican Congressman John James and Democrat Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State. We’re not sure we are ready to buy into that logic just yet, at least on the Republican side where a half dozen other candidates have announced they are running. There’s Oakland businessman Perry Johnson, with his millions of personal funding (yes, money does talk), and former attorney general Mike Cox, who has loaned his campaign several million dollars. The Glengariff Group poll shows a near dead heat when you look at just the three candidates. Duggan came in at 30.1 percent; James at 28.9 percent; and Benson at 28.8 percent. Nearly half (49 percent) of those favoring Duggan identify as Democrats, giving credence to the concern in that political party that it is likely to be impacted by the independent candidate, assuming Democrats are willing to scrap straight ticket voting. As an interesting side note, 13.5 percent of the 600 people polled by Czuba were Black, mirroring the overall population makeup in the state. When the poll drilled down on this segment, Duggan was backed by 59.3 percent, and Benson polled at 25.9 percent. As for Black candidate James, he came in at zero, fueling even further those who maintain that his popularity is more smoke than substance.

FACES

Antonio Musse

Antonio Musse was a shy, reserved child but at 27-years-old, he picked up the saxophone and today, his sultry, soulful music can be heard at venues all over southeastern Michigan.

“I grew up on R&B and rap music,” he said. “When I was in high school, I’d walk by the music class and I’d think, ‘What a bunch of nerds.’ I had no idea how beautiful other music was. But I started paying attention and I realized that I really liked the saxophone sound. Now, I’m the nerd.”

According to Musse, he initially lacked rhythm and skill. He had a saxophone teacher who doubted that he would ever succeed with the instrument because he started playing late in life, but he never allowed that to dampen his passion or his resolve.

“I was like, watch me,” Musse said.

Throughout the years, Musse has had several saxophone teachers.

“You can pick up a lot from different teachers,” he said. “They all have different styles.”

For Musse, the saxophone is more than just an instrument; it is an opportunity to move audiences on an emotional level.

“I love that you can touch people’s hearts with the sound,” he said. “Even if you’re having a bad day, or you are sad, the saxophone will take that away from you.”

Musse isn’t limited to playing any one genre.

“I have to know everything,” he said. “I play pop, jazz, blues, rock and country. I have to be very diverse to serve the audience.”

Musse’s musical stylings can be heard at all different types of venues.

“I play at weddings, night clubs, house parties, private events and festivals,” he said. “I love playing at festivals. There’s a large crowd and it’s very moving. You get a lot of energy from a large crowd.”

Sadly before the age of 40-years-old, Musse lost both his parents, but he was fortunate to be able to share his passion with his mother.

“I was 21-years-old when my dad passed away,” he said. “My mom did get to hear me play before she passed. When she was sick, I got to perform at the home she was in. She was very proud that I came and performed.”

Musse’s brother and sister play a big part of his life and have been supportive of his musical career. “My brother and sister come out often to hear me play.”

Breaking into the highly competitive business of music is arduous, but Musse never allows that to break his spirit.

“It is challenging every day,” he said. “You have to hustle to keep your name out there. Word of mouth really gets my name out there, and also Facebook. I have to stay focused on keeping the bookings coming in and I stay pretty busy. I’m actually playing 29 gigs this month.”

To keep his sound fresh, Musse practices his art daily. “Without a doubt. I’m constantly practicing scales.”

Through hard work and determination, he is able to focus solely on his musical career.

“I’m doing music full-time,” he said. “I’m mostly solo, but I’m on call for other bands if they need a saxophone.”

Situated in Bloomfield Township, the entertainer’s locale is ideal to reach the masses.

“I love my location,” he said. “I’m accessible to many different types of venues.”

Musse’s dream going forward is to reach a more vast audience. “I would love to see my music on the Billboard,” he said. “And, I’d love performing on even bigger stages.”

Story: Katey Meisner

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COMES TO OAKLAND

HOW LOCAL COMMUNITIES HANDLE THE PROBLEM

BY STACY GITTLEMAN

The violent actions of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers that led to the deaths of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are still vivid in the memories of people living in Southeast Michigan.

Now, the federal government has leased office space in Southfield’s Town Center, which will be used for ICE administrative purposes. Though there is pushback, including from a local judge, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also proposed converting a 473,158squarefoot warehouse in Romulus to a shortterm detention center with 500 beds, conveniently located near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Distressed Metro Detroit residents, as well as some elected officials and grassroots organizers, fear the horrific scenes from Minneapolis will repeat here.

Distressed Metro Detroit residents, as well as some elected officials and grassroots organizers, fear the horrific scenes from Minneapolis will repeat here.

Data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University shows that ICE booked people into detention in Michigan nearly 6,000 times in the second Trump administration through October 15, 2025. Most spent time in the state’s five detention centers, but hundreds were held for short periods at ICE field office locations in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

The data showed that in 2025, in Michigan, there were 4,450 removals and 286 voluntary departures. There are 31,000 cases pending in Detroit’s immigration court.

Behind each of those numbers is an individual, human story.

said Miguel was in and out of court for immigration status proceedings. At that point, he was able to attain a legal work permit and continued to run his landscaping business.

Then, at a scheduled court appearance to discuss his bond and immigration status on July 26, 2025, he was notified that he would be deported. Miguel was detained at the Northlake Processing Center in Baldwin for three days before getting deported back to the Mexican border from where he found his way back on his own to Guanajuato.

The son and his three siblings took turns visiting his father over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Miguel’s wife, who is undocumented, has not left her home since that date, only to go to doctors’ appointments to treat and manage her diabetes. Israel, his mother, and siblings, the youngest of whom is 18, do their best with school and work and to upkeep the landscaping business.

The separation has taken its toll on his family emotionally, mentally and financially, according to the son.

“We have missed birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries together,” the son said. “My mother has been afraid to leave the house since the summer because ICE is here in Pontiac. She used to come out with us on jobs all the time before this happened. My dad in Mexico is trying to keep busy, he is living with his parents and siblings and doing some work on their house. He keeps busy to keep his mind clear.”

ifty-one year-old Miguel,

whose name has been changed for family safety reasons, had been living in the United States on and off since the late 1990s. With a sister in Chicago and his father here in Pontiac as legal citizens, Miguel traveled back and forth from Guanajuato, Mexico, to work odd jobs and do landscaping over the summers. In 2000, he and his wife, also an undocumented Mexican, married in Chicago. They did not return to Mexico.

The couple made a life for themselves in Pontiac as illegal immigrants. They raised four children, all born here. Miguel had factory and odd jobs around his neighborhood, and eventually ran a landscaping and mowing business he started in 2012. They own a home in Pontiac on which they pay property taxes.

With his sister as a sponsor, Miguel applied for citizenship in 2003. The application was processed, but Miguel said he never received a clear approval or denial or any indication from the government on his immigration status.

Miguel and his family continued to make a life in Pontiac. He and his wife raised their four children and ran their landscaping business.

Then came a traffic stop in 2019.

“I was with my father, mother, and grandfather in our truck and we had stopped at a gas station on Perry Street in Pontiac to fill our gas cans for our lawnmowers at the start of a workday,” recalled Miguel’s son, 24. “It was a Wednesday, and on Wednesdays, we cut grass. I believe we were being watched by (Immigrations Customs Enforcement) officers around the neighborhood because we are Mexican.”

The son said the ICE officers followed his family to their work site in Bloomfield Township.

“We got stopped, and neither my mom or dad had papers,” the son said. “They gave my father two options: they could take him or take his wife.”

Miguel opted to go, and he spent a month in jail while his family worked to collect enough money to clear a $6,500 bond to release him. He was released pending the fact that he now had a formal date in the immigration court system. From that point on, the son

The son’s frustration with the government is because he believes the immigration system is broken. The only way he could personally keep his father in the country is to join the military through a 2013 initiative called the Patrol in Place (PIP) program that was launched in 2013, which offers migrant families an option to keep parents from being deported.

“There needs to be a way forward to fix this,” the son said. “I tried to fix it myself, but the only way I could keep my father here is if I joined the military, or if my father was a victim of a violent crime.”

It’s not that the crackdowns on undocumented people living in America were unexpected. Donald Trump centralized his second presidential campaign on it.

But to immigrant advocates, local political officials, and grassroots organizers, it’s the breakneck pace at which it has occurred. And it is happening faster than anyone could have imagined.

“There has been a blistering pace in changes to immigration laws that make it harder for people to stay and easier to classify them as deportable,” said Christine Sauvé, policy, engagement, and communications manager for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC). “In under one year, there have been over 634 policy changes to our immigration laws, putting the system into chaos. We are talking about daily new changes to the system. It’s hard to keep up with, and there is cruelty at every turn.”

In Michigan, Sauvé said at any given time there can be up to 2,000 people held in detention within the state’s five facilities.

Sauvé said that clients are telling MIRC attorneys that they are getting picked up at traffic stops. A typical stop may begin as a minor traffic infringement, such as a broken taillight. Under Michigan law, once the purpose of the stop is complete, the interaction should end. Instead, MIRC’s clients say that law enforcement is running identification through Customs and Border Control (CBP) records to verify a foreign identification and to determine identification status, and may hold the person until ICE or CBP arrives—sometimes more than an hour, which she characterizes as unlawful because it prolongs the stop beyond its original purpose.

Sauvé said that Pontiac has been a hotspot for ICE activity and pickups for detainment. Trump’s campaign promises to apprehend only the worst criminals have fallen by the wayside. People like

Garcia had no criminal record. Sauvé said that many of these apprehensions have emanated from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, which has contracts for local policing with 15 communities in the county.

In response, MIRC distributed a letter they drafted with the American Civil Liberties Union on best practices according to Supreme Court Law decisions.

“Local police and sheriffs are taking matters into their own hands and going beyond the scope of their local law enforcement duties,” Sauvé said. “About 75 percent of ICE arrests come from local law enforcement handovers. In the past, local law enforcement would transfer jailed criminals to ICE. But now, ICE is no longer focusing just on individuals who have committed violent crimes. Apprehensions are happening at routine traffic stops.”

people are mistaking us for ICE (especially my plainclothes officers).”

Bouchard said using the word “cooperation” when it comes to federal and local law enforcement is a misnomer. He also rejected the notion that people are getting randomly picked up and detained without proper judicial warrants. Justifying the need for some ICE agents to wear masks, Bouchard quoted a statistic recently released by the DHS claiming ICE agents face an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them and a more than 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them over the last year.

“If a federal agency has a warrant for someone, or another state or local agency has a warrant for someone, that suspect gets turned over to that agency,” explained Bouchard. “Are we stopping people on the side of the road and asking them for their immigration status? Absolutely not. Every time someone suspects this is what is happening, we have investigated it. It never happened.”

Elected government officials are decrying the prospect that ICE may pick up the pace of detentions and deportations in Oakland County.

auvé said that the Trump administration terminated the sensitive locations policy, meaning that ICE officials can apprehend people at churches, schools and hospitals. An immigration policy that was in place for decades, it allowed immigrants waiting out their immigration or asylum status to safely receive healthcare, attend religious services, and attend school.

“Before the Trump administration rescinded this policy, people could go about their business,” Sauvé said. “Now, there is fear and a chilling effect on so many individuals, because they are afraid that they may be arrested while dropping their kids off at school, which we have seen.”

Responding to allegations that the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is overstepping its bounds, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said there is a lot of misinformation floating around about why or why not local law enforcement should or should not work with ICE.

He refuted the claims that local law enforcement is picking up undocumented immigrants and turning them over to ICE at routine traffic stops.

“The courts have clearly upheld that immigration is a federal duty and they have sole responsibility for handling these cases,” Bouchard said. “If somebody is illegally in the country and they are stopped on the side of the road, local law enforcement does not have the authority, nor does it want to get involved. It is not something local law enforcement has the authority, nor wants the authority to deal with.”

Bouchard said that rumors that some immigration activists have been spreading on social media, such as the allegations that ICE is conducting mass sweeps at the Somerset Collection in Troy, or at local public schools, are not only false but dangerous.

“My fugitive apprehension and narcotics enforcement teams are going out to conduct high-risk arrest situations at someone’s home, and we have had people trying to record us on their phones and insert themselves in a very dangerous situation,” Bouchard said. “These are situations when there could be gunfire, and

In January 2026, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Oakland County) called upon her colleagues to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on allegations of the agency’s lack of transparency on spending billions of federal dollars, abuse of the Fourth Amendment, and improper training of ICE agents. At a March 4 congressional hearing, Noem refused to retract a DHS statement that described Good and Peretti as “domestic terrorists.” It was also uncovered that she spent an $220 million of taxpayer dollars for a DHS ad campaign, the money reportedly going to two companies linked to long-time Republican operatives. The next day, Noem was fired.

Stevens, on March 5 released the following statement on X:

“Under Kristi Noem, ICE killed Americans, used children as bait to detain their parents, lied to Congress, and terrorized our neighborhoods. She should have been fired a long time ago. We still must address the chaos and lawlessness that Donald Trump’s ICE has unleashed across our country.”

Before the Senate considers any replacement, the American people demand serious reforms at ICE that will keep people safe. I won’t stop fighting for a complete overhaul that focuses on transparency, accountability, getting the facts of what’s unfolding at the detention facility in Baldwin, and keeping Michiganders safe.”

Weeks before Noem’s ouster, Stevens and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3)_ toured the privately-owned North Lake Processing Center ICE detention facility in Baldwin, Lake County, on February 17 to inspect its living conditions and glean from the staff there exactly who was being detained there and the average length of detainment.

According to an early March Michigan Public investigation, between August 2025 and mid-February 2026, over 800 claims of unlawful detention were filed in Michigan’s two federal district courts. Before this spike, the last time any petitions were filed was in 2020. And in many of these cases, Republican-appointed judges are siding with the detainees.

The North Lake Processing Center, one of the country’s largest immigration detention centers, is the main source of habeas petitions in the Western District. Habeas corpus petitions are civil lawsuits that allow people to argue they’re being unlawfully detained by the government, in violation of their Fifth Amendment due process rights.

When Stevens visited Baldwin, she most urgently wanted answers as to why and how 56-year-old detainee Nenko Gantchev, an undocumented immigrant from Bulgaria with diabetes, died in custody in December 2025. According to news reports, his family

said he begged multiple times for medical assistance.

Speaking with Downtown on the morning of the February 24 State of the Union address, Stevens came away with more questions than answers.

“What is unfolding before so many of our eyes on the streets, and then what is happening behind closed doors?” Stevens pondered. “Why are people being taken, and why are they not getting answers about why they are there?”

One hundred people signed up to speak with Stevens and Scholten at the detention center. They were only permitted to speak with four.

Among the few the congresswomen met, Stevens said some were afraid to speak openly for fear of retribution. All wanted to know about their pending cases. She comforted a pregnant woman detainee, separated from her 18-month-old toddler, who has not been told why she was being detained.

“It is the demonstration of complete lack of transparency on how these detention centers are being run is one of the reasons why I called for the impeachment of Noem, and why I believe that President Trump owes the American people an apology and a show of accountability,” Stevens said. “It begins with masked, unidentifiable agents in our streets taking people out of nowhere and using our taxpayer dollars to do so. And it ends up in these detention centers.”

State Senator and President Pro Tem of the Michigan Senate Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) is concerned about an ICE office opening in Southfield because he said it brings ICE activity to “a civil and harmonious community.

In Lansing, Moss and state Senators Stephanie Chang and Mary Kavanagh have introduced House Bills 508, 509 and 510 to curb the actions and demand accountability from ICE personnel in Michigan.

HB 510 would prohibit ICE officers from wearing masks, require them to wear badges of identification and identifiable uniforms while conducting operations. HB 508 and 509 would ensure that ICE cannot raid sensitive locations, including schools and courthouses, where immigrants frequent to make a court appearance. It would also be unlawful to conduct ICE raids in domestic violence shelters or “other places where people go to seek solace and shelter.” The legislation, if passed, would also protect personal and private data, such as electronic healthcare records, from being mined by ICE.

There is growing concern about about the sharing of government data which was heightened even more following a February 19 Detroit News story revealed that as early as 2014, Oakland County signed a $21,000 contract that gives ICE officials access to a large database containing first responder and court records called the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS).

Michigan immigrant rights advocates are troubled as to how this contract came into being without the knowledge of several county officials and what this can mean to the privacy of Oakland County residents, especially since many municipalities, including Southfield, have recently proclaimed that they are not sharing data with ICE.

In a statement released to Downtown, Oakland County Public Information Officer Bill Mullan said that before it became an independent authority at the state Capitol on February 1, CLEMIS operated within Oakland County’s Information Technology Department.

“The system is supported through agreements with local, county, state and federal law enforcement and other agencies across Southeast Michigan to access court and law enforcement records securely,” Mullan said. “Consistent with its long-standing role as a regional information-sharing platform, federal agencies – including

ICE, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service – have historically maintained agreements for access to CLEMIS.”

Mullan said Oakland County has begun the process of terminating all user agreements, including any associated with ICE, so that interested agencies can pursue service agreements directly with the new independent CLEMIS authority after it is fully set up and legally positioned to accept members.

oss and others

remain concerned about the possibility of ICE entrenching itself in his community. “Why would ICE need to be setting up a new office in Southfield?” he pondered. “My guess is that it is to create the same havoc here as we have seen in other parts of the country, like Minneapolis.”

While leasing office space for administrative or legal purposes may seem harmless on the surface, Moss said it would serve as an administrative hub to perpetuate wrongdoing and abuses of ICE.

“They say they are just lawyers and administrators, but those lawyers will be there to protect and litigate in defense of the horrific actions of these agents,” Moss said. “They are abusing the Constitution, stripping people of their rights, and causing chaos in our community. By leasing this property, ICE is embedding itself in a community that does not welcome its presence.”

At a February 23 city council meeting in Southfield, residents during the public comment segment described ICE agents as “modern-day slave catchers,” “Gestapo,” and “fascists.” Stepping up to the microphone, they told the council that they did not want ICE agents or administrators anywhere in Southfield. They condemned Town Center for renting office space to ICE, and called for a ban on any possible local police collaboration with sweeping or apprehending illegal immigrants. Keeping the midterm elections in mind, some residents feared that ICE agents may present a threatening presence at polling places.

“There is now a public pressure campaign to let REDICO know that they need to be a good landlord in the city, and this is not something that we’re welcoming here,” Moss said. “REDICO has a responsibility to be a good neighbor in our community and not lease to a tenant that the community finds to be opposing our values.”

That evening, the Southfield City Council unanimously passed a resolution that stated it was committed to “remaining a welcoming and inclusive community where all residents feel safe, respected and supported.”

“We understand that the recent immigration enforcement activity, both nationally and in surrounding areas within our own city, has raised concern,” said Southfield City Council President Charles Hicks. “We cannot ignore federal law, but we can and will determine how the city of Southfield engages within that framework, guided by our responsibility to protect the safety and trust of our community.”

The resolution affirmed that the Southfield police department focuses on local public safety and does not participate in immigration status investigations or enforce federal immigration

law. The city does not grant access to private property or non-public spaces without a valid legal warrant, and information from the city’s automatic license plate readers is limited to vehicle-related investigations and will not be used for immigration enforcement.

In a written statement to Downtown, REDICO, Southfield Town Center’s leasing agent wrote that it understands that questions and concerns have been raised regarding the ease with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and that these concerns are taken seriously.

“REDICO has not entered into a lease with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement read. “The lease in question is with the United States of America, by and through the General Services Administration, for general office use only, consistent with REDICO’s longstanding relationship with GSA.”

“The terms of the lease explicitly prohibit any law enforcement, detention, or similar activities from occurring at the property. Should the terms of the lease be violated, REDICO is prepared to fully enforce the agreement,” according to the statement.

But according to BISNOW, a business-to-business website serving the commercial real estate industry, it is the GSA that, beginning in September 2025, launched a nationwide hunt to designate available office spaces for 300 new locations just outside the center of many metropolitan areas that will be needed to facilitate a surge in ICE roundups and detentions.

And according to an independent report from WIRED magazine, an “ICE surge team” at the GSA is helping the federal agency rapidly open locations to support ICE. The report said that ICE coordinated with the GSA and circumvented the usual open bidding process by citing national security concerns and the “critical space needs” that allow for a departure from the rules.

On February 23, the Romulus City Council unanimously passed a resolution decrying the federal government’s plans to build a detention center there.

“The proposal is inconsistent with community planning, economic priorities, and the city’s vision for a safe environment for its residents and commercial business interests,” read the resolution. It also warned that such a facility in their municipality would sink property values. Negative impressions about Romulus due to the possible presence of a detention center would impede economic development. There are also a few zoning issues. For starters, the property is in a flood plain. It is also in an area zoned not for human habitation but for light industry, and the area would have to go through a lengthy rezoning approval process.

State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfiele) admitted there are limits on how local legislation and resolutions can disrupt federal immigration policy. He expressed doubt that the legislation package to rein in ICE activities will see any light or discussion in a Republican-controlled State House. For now, it may be merely symbolic.

“Whether or not we will see a surge of activity in our community, people are seeing what is going on in other parts of the country, how ICE conducted themselves in Minneapolis, and they feel threatened,” Arbit said. “Donald Trump was elected because he promised to reduce irregular immigration. But it has been the way it is rolling out, using maximum force, detaining people without due process, and even detaining the wrong people and sometimes deporting U.S. citizens, that shows that this is a Constitutional crisis. Trump administration is not looking to solve the problem of immigration enforcement. It’s all about a show of force and dominance.”

In an emailed statement to Downtown, an unnamed ICE

spokesperson said that the property the agency is looking to purchase for a proposed detention center in Romulus would meet the agency’s “regular detention standards,” but did not expand upon what those standards were.

The spokesperson said the site would undergo community impact studies and a rigorous due diligence process to ensure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure before purchase. ICE added that the Romulus facility and its construction are expected to bring1,458 jobs to the area, would contribute $149.9 million to GDP, and is projected to bring in more than $33 million in local tax revenue.

The statement included names and photographs of several undocumented people picked up by ICE in Michigan that have criminal records that included sexual assault, rape, larceny, kidnapping, vehicular and weapons and drug possession offenses.

“These economic benefits don’t consider that removing criminals from the streets makes communities safer for business owners and customers,” the statement continued. “ICE is targeting criminal illegal aliens … and 70 percent of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.”

The statement said if only more local police departments would sign off on a 287 agreement to work and collaborate directly with ICE, there would not be a need to recruit and train and deploy more ICE agents into local areas.

ccording to ICE,

the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act. It gave ICE the ability to give state and local law enforcement officers authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under its direction and oversight.

Under the Big Beautiful Bill, Congress allocated $14 billion to local agencies as an incentive to join the program. For now, local law enforcement in Oakland County has no such arrangement. According to ICE’s database, the Michigan counties and individual law enforcement departments enrolled in a 287 program include the Berrian County Sheriff’s Office; Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office; Crawford County Sheriff’s Office; Jackson County Sheriff’s Office; Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office; Taylor Police Department (Wayne County); and the West Branch Police Department (Ogemaw County).

Bloomfield Township Chief of Police James Gallagher said the Bloomfield Township Police Department is committed to the safety of everyone who lives in or visits our community. “We do not participate in localized immigration enforcement, nor do we maintain agreements with ICE that guide our daily operations,” Gallagher said. “We do not have a 287 agreement and are not signing one. Our primary focus is local public safety. While we

respond to specific, safety-related incidents within the township as we would for any agency requesting backup, our purpose is to serve our community and address the priorities and concerns of our residents.”

Birmingham Chief of Police Scott Grewe echoed Gallagher’s stance.

“There have been no ICE operations within Birmingham that we are aware of,” Grewe said. “Additionally, the Birmingham Police Department will not assist ICE in any operation. My department will respond to any call of service that may or may not involve ICE to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and to make sure any and all activity is within the law.”

Downtown reached out to communities neighboring the Birmingham-Bloomfield area and confirmed that Wet Bloomfield has no agreement with ICE, while Southfield and Troy officials stated that those communities are not cooperating with ICE.

If ICE does pick up the pace in apprehending and detaining undocumented immigrants, there are efforts at the grassroots level to help. Within Pontiac’s close-knit Latino community, people are looking out for each other and providing relief when and where they can to undocumented migrants and their families.

been apprehended since the fall of 2025. There are apartments once full of life that she now describes as empty shells.

“Latinos are raised with a strong sense of big families and keeping close and together,” Reyes said. “And for me to know that ICE is coming and taking people apart from their families, I don’t think under I don’t think people understand we cannot let that happen. I cannot let that happen.”

When asked what inspired her to do this work, Reyes told the story of a young Venezuelan woman named Beru.

Beru was born in Venezuela around 2000 to unmarried parents, who abandoned her to the Catholic church. To support the church, she begged on the streets starting at age four. She was informally adopted in 2005.

As Beru was growing up under the dictatorship of Nicholas Maduro, members of her family were executed for criticizing the government. Fearing for their lives, Beru’s mother made plans for them to make the dangerous trek north and seek asylum at the United States border.In 2024, Beru made it to the U.S. border at the age of 22 and asked for asylum on the Mexican side of the border. It took some time and several relocations, but Beru wound up in Pontiac, where Beru and Reyes eventually met at a church. Reyes and her husband took her in.

Beru lived with them for almost two years during which she enrolled in English classes while Reyes worked with an attorney to expedite Beru’s asylum case. In early 2025, Beru moved to Florida to be with a friend who had also escaped Venezuela. They made a living by cleaning short-term rental homes. Her asylum case was transferred to the Sunshine State. One morning, while waiting to get picked up for a job, Beru was apprehended by ICE, sent to a detention center in Louisiana for a brief time, and deported back to Venezuela.

exican-American

Elida Reyes, 69, a lifelong resident of Pontiac, is the founder of Community Aid For Empowerment (CAFE), a grassroots, volunteer-run immigrant advocacy network focused on helping documented and undocumented migrants in town. Help from CAFE can come in the form of grocery shopping, running errands, or checking in on people who are too afraid to leave their homes. Volunteers are trusted even to drive and pick up children from school as ICE sweeps can occur at the school bus stop.

Reyes is no stranger to life’s adversities. She is the oldest in a family of 10 siblings who lost their parents at an early age. Reyes fought the legal and foster care systems as soon as she reached legal adulthood to win custody of all her siblings. By her twenties, she worked as a telephone operator and then in the automotive industry, enabling her to purchase a home in Pontiac for her and her siblings to live.

Now, Reyes fights for the dignity of migrants in her community. CAFE trains volunteers on how to be responsible ICE observers. CAFE volunteers speak and train in local churches and meet with business owners who employ Latinos to explain their Constitutional rights regarding searches.

Above all, she is motivated to keep families together and avoid the heartache of separation. And this separation is happening a lot, Reyes said. From her accounts, at least 300 Pontiac residents have

“At that time, the most we could do for Beru was to add money to her alien registration account number so she could get decent food from the commissary in the detention center,” Reyes said.

With Beru as her inspiration, Reyes and other CAFE volunteers use their investigative skills to learn where detainees are taken so they can send them money for essentials.

“As soon as we find out that someone is taken, we get their full name, date of birth, and “A” (alien account) number. That way, we can put money into their account so they can buy some food and make phone calls to their family. They should be able to call their family and let them know they’re gone. I cannot imagine as a mom waiting for your son or daughter to come home and they don’t come home.”

Back in Guanajuato, Mexico, Miguel waits it out. He is separated from his family. Though his children can visit him, his wife cannot. Miguel said there are not many employment opportunities for him in the city of his extended family. To keep busy, he helps out around his parents’ home doing some repairs. It might take him up between three and 10 years before he complete the U.S. citizen process of first applying for a green card and then attaining permanent U.S. residency.

He misses his wife. They speak each evening. He said he felt bad one recent night when he could not be with her, when she had to go to the emergency room. He is in touch with her and his sons on a regular basis, advising them on how to keep up and manage their landscaping business. Not knowing when he will see his wife again, he said has been a strain on his mental health.

“This is really bad for my family,” Miguel said. “But at this point, all we can do is wait.”

FACES

Beth Hussey

Restauranteur, tech founder and entrepreneur Beth Hussey tapped her decades of restaurant industry experience to not only become a successful restaurant owner but to also launch two thriving problem-solving apps.

Hussey grew up as the youngest of seven in the unincorporated community of Union Lake and attended high school in Phoenix, Arizona. She worked in her family’s steakhouse where her love of training staff was sparked. Interestingly, she said that all but one sibling still works in the restaurant industry.

“I worked my way up with sweat equity to create cool restaurant conceptsopening over 20 restaurants before finally opening my own restaurant,” she said.

After decades spent working for others and helping create prosperous restaurant concepts like Ferndale’s One-Eyed Betty’s and Pop’s for Italian, Hussey and her business partner and chef, Emmele Herrold, opened the popular seafood restaurant Hazel’s in downtown Birmingham in 2019.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, they temporarily closed the restaurant, leaving Hussey time to turn her expertise and passion for training restaurant staff into the development of an innovative hospitality app called Shifty.

According to Hussey, recent industry data shows that the average restaurant worker stays on the job for less than two months – this dismal reality motivated her to share via her app what she has learned to help restaurant leaders spend less time training yet have better trained employees who stay at their jobs longer. It is now used at nearly 1,000 locations across the country.

Using her knowledge acquired creating Shifty, the entrepreneur identified and solved another problem that came to light when her mother moved from Phoenix back to Michigan into an independent senior living facility to be closer to her children: “We moved our mom into American House, which she loves, but it became clear that there was a problem communicating to the residents and their families all the activities happening (or not happening), including any changes to the schedule or the menu.”

In response, she and her team launched the simple-to-use community app called Senior Simon last year with Southfield-based American House Senior Living Communities. Despite research indicating seniors would have difficulty adapting to using even a simple communications platform, Hussey said the pilot test was successful, and it is now in use throughout all American House properties.

“It was such an easy problem to solve and improves the day-to-day experience of residents.”

Considering her path to success, Hussey advises aspiring entrepreneurs: “Take action. Everyone has great ideas but it’s rare to take action. Just thinking up a good idea won’t get you anywhere – you need to take the first step and do something about it.”

Currently, Hussey and her wife of nearly 30 years, Jennette Breault, live in Bloomfield Hills and are planning a significant home construction project. In what precious spare time she has, Hussey plans to return to playing golf this summer. She also serves on the Birmingham Shopping District Board as well as the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s Board of Directors.

“The bulk of my career I’ve worked for others, working hard, making a modest income while making others money. In this next chapter of my life, I’m achieving success and wealth on my own,” she said, adding, “Michigan is a very cool place to live and build a business. Detroit’s ecosystem is welcoming to founders, investors, innovators and entrepreneurs. I was lucky investors took an early risk with me based on my experience.”

She continued, “I love to work. It’s a lot of fun to succeed. Right now, I am excited and really enjoying this fast-moving train of success and dedicating most of my time to Shifty. Hazel’s is a well-oiled machine with an amazing staff and management team, many of whom have been with me since the beginning…For the future, I hope to be considered a thought leader in this space. I’m shooting for the stars.”

Story: Tracy Donohue

Birmingham finalizes Next lease agreement

By Grace Lovins

Marking the finale to the years-long saga to find a home for Next senior services, Birmingham City Commissioners approved a 30-year lease agreement between the city and Next during the Monday, February 23, meeting for the former YMCA building located at 400 E. Lincoln.

The city began searching for a new permanent home for Next several years ago after the organization was informed they would no longer be able to rent Midvale School they were currently using from Birmingham Public Schools. Next will need to be out of the facility by May 2027.

In 2023, Birmingham purchased the building at 400 E Lincoln, the former location of the Birmingham YMCA, with the intention that it would serve as the new permanent location for Next to provide services to senior residents of Birmingham and neighboring communities.

The city spent months working with the YMCA and Next to figure out a solution that would allow the YMCA to remain in Birmingham after they expressed interest in staying. After the commission decided not to follow through with the construction of a new facility at the site, the YMCA made the decision to continue with their plan of relocating to trhe Royal Oak YMCA.

City attorney Mary Kucharek reiterated that the purpose of the lease is to give Next a permanent home, and that the 30-year time frame incentivizes the organization and its donors to invest their funds into a cityowned asset. She also noted there are clauses in the agreement that allow the city to bring the agreement back to the commission if Next does not continues the services and programs that they are known for currently.

Kucharek disclosed that commissioners received a copy of the lease agreement just under two weeks prior to Monday’s meeting, providing feedback before coming before the commission during an official meeting. Several commissioners said they had no issues when it came to the lease timeframe and termination clauses.

Commissioners Bill Kolb and Brad Host commented that they were not in favor of the 30-year time frame. Both said that a 10-year lease was more appropriate, Host offering that the lease could then be renewed in fiveyear increments. Executive director of Next, Cris Braun, argued that longer leases aren’t unusual for service

Long resigns from city commission

Birmingham City Commissioner Anthony Long, elected in November of 2023, has submitted a letter of resignation, effective April 13, due to the fact that he is moving from the city.

Long submitted his resignation letter on Friday, March 13, to city manager Jana Ecker.

In his letter, Long explained that after living in the city for 31 years, he was now moving, noting that “Life, however, sometimes takes you in a direction you never anticipated.” He further said he was attempting to allow the city a smooth transition in finding a replacement by giving advance notice of the resignation.

Long, who was married in the spring of 2025, told Downtown that he would be moving to Orchard Lake and his Birmingham home is now listed for sale.

He first ran for office in the November 2021 election and lost by six votes. Long ran again for office in November of 2023 in an uncontested election.

The Birmingham Charter provides that the city commission must appoint a replacement within 30 days of a vacancy.

Birmingham has been promoting that applications for the upcoming vacancy are available at the city clerk’s office. Applications have to be submitted on or before Wednesday, April 8. According to the schedule released by the city, the commission will hold a workshop session on Monday, April 13, at which time candidates will be interviewed. Following the workshop session, the commission will hold a regular meting at which there will be nominations and a vote on a candidate to fill the vacancy,

The person appointed to the vacancy will serve until November 2 of 2027.

According to an announcement by the city, them person appointed will begin serving with the planned budget hearing on Saturday, April 25.

organizations, comparing the agreement to the Art Center’s 50-year lease agreement.

Ultimately, the commission voted 42 to approve the lease agreement, with commissioners Host and Kolb voting against the motion. Mayor pro tem Anthony Long was absent from the meeting.

After the final vote, mayor Clinton Baller said that he, the city attorney, city manager’s office and representatives from the YMCA have met to discuss potential ways the YMCA can still be involved in the city. He said there is no guarantee that they will be able to figure out a solution but they are continuing discussions and are hopeful.

Bloomfield Hollow banquet hall on hold

By Dana Casadei

A proposal for Bloomfield Hollow, a 15,815-square-foot event center on a vacant 18-acre parcel located west of Franklin Road and north of Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, was put on hold Monday, February

While people were opposed to that change, their opposition was even greater towards what that proposed text amendment, if approved, would have allowed – the banquet hall Bloomfield Hollow. Vehicle access for Bloomfield Hollow would be from Franklin Road via a private unpaved drive access, and no access is proposed from any local residential street.

Currently, banquet halls are only permitted in the B-4 district, which presents a hardship to prospective banquet hall applicants since there are no parcels in Bloomfield Township zoned B-4.

Regarding Bloomfield Hollow’s location within the parcel, additional landscaping was proposed to provide buffering between the hall and nearby residential properties, with the closest house being approximately 180 feet to the south of the banquet hall.

The proximity of its location to the nearby neighborhoods was one of many concerns from residents, including a husband and wife who live in a house close to the proposed hall. Both were opposed to Bloomfield Hollow and said that 180 feet just isn’t far away enough, even with the additional trees.

16, by the township planning commission which failed to approve an amendment to a zoning ordinance that would have allowed the project.

The request for the text amendment was brought to the planning commission by property owner Zack Sklar, owner and chef at Peas and Carrots Hospitality. If passed, it would allow for Bloomfield Hollow, Sklar’s proposed banquet hall in Bloomfield Township.

Bloomfield Hollow would host private events, such as weddings, receptions, and similar functions, and would have both indoor and outdoor activities on site. Sklar has proposed to be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to midnight, with the outdoor patios closed at 9 p.m.

The agenda item for the proposed text amendment to permit banquet halls in the research park district and B3 zoning districts brought out many Bloomfield Township residents, leading to over 20 participants during the evening’s public hearing that lasted almost an hour. Nearly every single person who spoke was opposed to the text amendment change.

Other major concerns brought up by residents were the sheer scale of this project, which could have up to 600 guests at a time; safety concerns with the venue having alcohol; worries of people from Bloomfield Hollow wandering around their property lines; the noise, especially if a proposed amphitheater were to be added eventually; and the negative impact this could have on their property values.

Residents also said they hadn’t been communicated with enough on this proposed project, with multiple people saying they didn't even know about it until an article appeared in a newspaper. Others mentioned all they had received was a postcard about Bloomfield Hollow coming into their neighborhood.

“It just felt like this was going beyond our backs,” said a Bloomfield Township resident.

“Apparently zoning doesn’t matter anymore,” said one Bloomfield Township resident. ”If you have enough money in this community – if you’re a developer with millions – you can have whatever you want.”

After the public hearing on the amendment had closed, commission chair Jeff Salz wanted to make a few things clear to residents, some of whom said they thought the planning

commission had decided to approve the text amendment long before the evening’s meeting,

“I’m going to tell you – who all made up your mind about me and accused me of doing all these bad things – that I’m not going to support changing the ordinance to put banquet hall into it,” Salz said. “I just don’t think to spot-zone is the correct thing to do. I don’t think I can support changing that in it.”

“I would argue it is you who have made up your minds about us before you even sat down,” he said.

As the planning commission meeting ended on Monday, planning commission member Andrea O’Donnell thanked Salz for running the meeting because it had not been an easy one.

“I’ve been on the board for 15 years, and this is probably the most contentious meeting I’ve ever attended,” said Bruce Selik, planning commission member. “It’s an insult to us, for the time and energy we put forth to represent you and the township and to make proper decisions.”

“This is not something to be taken

lightly,” said Valerie Murphy, Bloomfield Township Trustee. “I think it’s all wrong – I didn’t plan on speaking tonight, but I felt strongly –I hope you think carefully for all the residents. I don’t think the community wants to see this in anyone’s backyards. Would anyone really want a banquet hall with 1,000 people regularly in our backyards?”

The planning commission voted unanimously to table the proposed text amendment change until they could get more information, and have developers and contractors work closer with neighbors to address their concerns about Bloomfield Hollow.

Since the planning commission voted to table their decision about the proposed text amendment, they also had to table their review of the site plan and special land use for Bloomfield Hollow.

The planning commission voted 50 on tabling both the text amendment and review of the Bloomfield Hollow site plan and special land use. Planning commission members John Kelly and Thomas Petinga were not in attendance at the Monday night meeting.

Road assessment district approved

By Grace Lovins

During the Monday, February 23, meeting, Birmingham City Commissioners voted to declare necessity and approve the formation of a special assessment district for this year’s cape seal program.

City engineer Melissa Coatta told commissioners that the city’s 2026 cape seal program includes streets located between Oak Avenue and Maple Road, west of Old Woodward Avenue, and Northlawn Boulevard between the Rouge River and Southfield Road. She said that the current unimproved streets will be fixed with new cape seal treatment as part of the unimproved street maintenance program.

According to a memorandum Coatta wrote, included in the meeting packet, the selected streets were last treated in 2008, 2010 or 2014, and the cape seal has a life expectancy of about 10 years. The specific streets listed in the program

include specific sections of Oak Avenue, Lakeside Drive, North Glenhurst Drive, and Northlawn Boulevard.

As part of the cape seal program, the city would establish a special assessment district to split the cost between the city and residents living on the streets where work is being done.

The city’s general formula for determining the assessment for each homeowner is 85 percent of the front-foot costs for residences fronting the improvement, 25 percent of the side-foot costs for residences siding the improvement, 85 percent of the side-foot costs for businesses siding the improvement and 25 percent of the side-foot costs for vacant businesses siding the improvement.

The commission voted 5-1 to declare necessity and approve a special assessment district for the cape seal program. Commissioner Brad Host voted against the motion, and mayor pro tem Anthony Long was absent from the meeting.

Bingham Farms fire service discussion

By Dana Casadei

Discussions officially began on Monday, March 9, about a potential partnership between the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and the Village of Bingham Farms, which approached the township about providing fire services.

“I think it’s a testament to what we have here that Bingham Farms came to us to discuss this,” said trustee Chris Kolinski at the board meeting. “There are other communities they could have gone to but they came here to ask for services. I think this is a win-win, a great option, and I’m very excited about it.”

Approval of the interlocal agreement would allow Bloomfield Township to provide fire protection, advanced life support and fire inspection services to the village, where over the last five years they have averaged between 300 and 320 incidents per year. In 2025, there were 314 incidents reported, with 21 being roadway accidents, 136 residential incidents and 157 commercial. Those numbers were the highest over the last five years.

While incidents in Bingham Farms have increased recently, incidents in Bloomfield Township have plateaued over the last nine years, according to fire department chief John Leroy. Over the last few years there have been a few reductions attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and a lack of inclement weather incidents and LeRoy said he believes these numbers will continue to stay where they are for some time.

“I feel that we could do this – if the board chooses – with no additional costs to the township, and it wouldn’t overburden our current responses,” said LeRoy.

Bingham Farms’ current fire services are provided by Franklin in a joint venture between the two communities.

Bloomfield Township Fire Department currently has 64 fire personnel. The fully staffed department is broken down into 20 firefighter/paramedics assigned to each of the three shifts, three fire prevention personnel and an EMS coordinator.

Personnel are split among four different stations within Bloomfield Township. Stations 2, 3, and 4 are equipped with an advanced life support ambulance and an advanced

Baldwin Library Board adopts new budget

The Birmingham Baldwin Library Board on Monday, March 16, adopted its budget for the 2026-2027 period and set an operating millage of 1.2665 mills, essentially the same tax as the current year.

Overall, the budget for the coming period will be $6.2 million, 79 percent of which is funded by local property taxes and 18 percent coming from three neighboring communities that contract with the library for services – Bloomfield Hills, Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms.

Contract communities are paying 2.8 percent more in the new budget plan, per agreements with the Baldwin Public Library. Total revenue from the contract communities will be $1.176 million in this budget.

Revenue in the form of state aid and penal fines are expected to remain about the same as the current budget.

On the expense side, the library is adding some staffing and wage increases are planned, in part to cover increases in the state minimum wage. The budget plan also provides for an employee tuition reimbursement plan, added parking costs for anticipated possible city increases at parking structures and some building improvement.

Yet to be resolved is an agreement with the city for administrative services provided to the library, an issue that has been under discussion for the past several months.

Library Director Rebekah Craft, who made the presentation of the new budget to the board, noted that the library policy is to maintain a fund balance equal to 25-35 percent of the budget to cover emergencies that may arise and new budget meets the library board policy.

The vote for the proposed budget was unanimous, with trustee Frank Pisano absent from the meeting.

life support fire engine, each with two firefighter/paramedics. Station 1, Central Fire, has an advanced life support ladder truck daily with an advanced life support ambulance and other support apparatus when staffing is not affected by paid time off, thje chief said.

Of those four fire stations the one that would be most impacted by this partnership would be Station 3, which would assume the roughly 300 additional incidents in the village while shifting approximately the same number of responses that occur in Bloomfield Township to Station 1 and Station 4 without impacting the residents of Bloomfield Township.

The current station response areas would be redefined for all three stations under this proposed agreement.

“Agreements like this are not new to the fire service,” LeRoy said. “Many of our neighbors have very similar agreements.”

Examples include Southfield Fire Department and Lathrup Village; Waterford Fire Department and the city of Pontiac and Lake Angelus; West Bloomfield Fire Department and Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake and Sylvan; and Independence Township Fire Department, provide fire services to the Village of Clarkston.

This type of partnership would not

about the proposed partnership there will be multiple next steps that need to be taken before anything is finalized, starting with hearing from township residents. No public hearing date was set.

“We’ll figure out a path forward,” said township supervisor Mike McCready.

New upscale grocery coming to township

An upscale grocery market, Nourish Western Market, to take the space of a former Right Aid drug store at 42931 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Township that has been vacant for the past two years was approved by township trustees at the board meeting on Monday, February 23.

The grocery market is owned by Steven Selvaggio and his son Steven Selvaggio who have operated a similar Western Market since 1988 in Ferndale. Steven Selvaggio explained to board members that the firm is planning a rebranding effort to emphasize the Nourish part of the name.

only benefit the residents of Bingham Farms, but and also Bloomfield Township, LeRoy said.

Based on the projections that LeRoy put together with the Bloomfield Township finance department, a partnership like this has the potential to bring in a revenue of $10,884,576 over the next 10 years to the township.

That revenue would come from a 10-year contract with an annual five percent escalator and a calculated 3.6225 millage rate, as well as EMS transport revenue.

While many trustees seemed on board with moving this forward a few had slight trepidation, with concerns about operational costs for the fire department and overstressing the township’s fire department.

“You’re the pride of the township,” said clerk Martin Brook. “I would be happy to support this but I want the fire department to provide services to Bloomfield Township first and foremost, and if this can fit in with no impact to Bloomfield Township then I will fully support this.”

According to LeRoy, even with the addition of 300 potential incidents, the Bloomfield Township Fire Department would still have fewer incidents than in previous statistical high years.

Since this was only a discussion

The 13,880 square foot store, which will be completely remodeled inside, will be offering locally sourced food and prepared foods plus beer, wine and liquor. The owners will also be reworking the truck loading dock area

Steve Selvaggio said that they have been working with neighboring residents to address any concerns they may have, including redesigned outdoor lighting that will not shine into the residential area. He also told board members that to hide grocery carts outside the store a brick retaining wall will be constructed to act as a screen and that any rubbish from the store will be stored inside the building.

Bloomfield Township Director of Planning, Building and Ordinances

Andrea Bibby told the board that if approved, the only remaining approvals that are needed would be state and township okay of the license to sell spirits and the signage on the store. Bibby also reminded trustees that prior to the drug store, a grocery store years ago had occupied the same space which is located in the shopping center at Square lake Road and Woodward Avenue.

Trustees vote unanimously to approve the new grocery store.

Hunter House takes burger rival to court

The iconic Birmingham business Hunter House Hamburgers, originally located at 35075 Woodward Avenue until it recently moved to the former KFC a mile further down the road, has filed a lawsuit in Oakland County Circuit Court against a hamburger business, Better Burgers, that has moved into the original location for Hunter House, and the judge sided with the owners of Hunter House.

Hunter House, owned by Kelly Cobb, first opened its doors in 1952 and has built a reputation as a popular place for sliders, fries and other foods, located at a prime location at Woodward and Maple Road until its move at the end of October of last year.

Cobb and Hesham Gayar of Select Commercial Assets Hospitality, which owned the land on which Hunter House sat, had been in a dispute over the development of 35001 and 35075 Woodward Avenue for nearly six years. Gayar has proposed a five-story mixed used building that would occupy the two land parcels in addition to the city-owned lot, which was approved by the planning board back in 2021. The lawsuit was settled in February of 2025 and Hunter House made its move and began operations at the new location in November, using temporary facilities on the site until an overhaul of the building is complete this spring.

In recent weeks the original location came back to life with the opening of Better Burgers, owned by Terta Verta, a company in Sterling Height owned by the Plumja family. The owners of Better Burgers reinstalled the familiar signage on the building.

Mikos Plumja is serving as general manager of the new Better Burgers. Although he said he had been advised not to discuss the business details with the media, he confirmed that the family has prior restaurant experience but does not currently own any other establishments. He also said he is uncertain how long they will be able to operate at the location. Better Burgers is currently offering 24-hour service, serving breakfast sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, fries and shakes.

On January 27 Hunter House officials sent a ceae-and-desist letter to Tarta Verta but received no response. On February 25, Hunter House filed a 62-page lawsuit against Better Burgers, claiming that the new hamburger business is infringing on

Library sets FOIA policy in independence bid

The library board for the Baldwin Public Library has adopted its own Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy, signaling a further step in establishing the library as independent from control by the city of Birmingham.

At the library board’s February 23 meeting, the board voted to adopt the FOIA policy that directs that any information requested relative to the library under the act to be handled by the library director as FOIA Coordinator, rather than having such requests routed through the city’s established FOIA system. The vote of the board was unanimous, with library trustee Jennifer Wheeler absent from the session.

According to information supplied prior to the vote, the writing of the FOIA policy for the library cost $267 in attorney fees charged by the legal counsel for the library.

In terms of content, the new POIA policy for the library basically adheres to such policy for the city of Birmingham and other municipalities in the state. The difference is that any future FOIA request will now be filed directly with the library by email at webmaster@baldwinlib.org or in written form mailed or delivered in person to Baldwin Public Library, FOIA Coordinator, 300 W. Merrill Street, Birmingham MI 48009.

In the case where an FOIA request is denied, appeals of such decisions will now be handled by the library board rather than the city commission.

The new policy also outlines the costs to be charged in most cases for an FOIA request.

Library officials noted that there were only five FOIA requests directed at the library in the past year.

The adoption of the new policy is one more step in establishing independence of the library board from the city commission following an agreement by the city in past months that the library was clearly an independent entity, including setting its own annual budget and millage rate, an issue that has lingered for decades in the city.

The library board is still considering placing other services now provided by the city with third party providers that may charge less than the city now gets from the Baldwin Public Library.

the trade dress or image developed by the Hunter House which is in the midst of redoing its new building to look like the iconic structure it had occupied for decades.

The lawsuit says that Hunter House has developed a “unique and inherently distinctive” trade dress that includes the white flat-roof building; prominent display of HAMBURGER and CARRYOUT signage on the exterior of the building; a unique interior; and menu.

The legal filing accuses the owners of Better Burger of intentionally confusing the public that it is still the original Hunter House, and provides proof of the confusion by citing phone calls and deliveries that the real Hunter House has received that were intended for Better Burgers.

Owners of Hunter House had asked the court for temporary and permanent injunctive relief plus legal costs and damages.

The case was assigned to Oakland

project accounting – which includes the construction, legal and financing costs – are looked at once again to determine how in line it was with the original assessment. In the cases of districts 425, 426 and 427, the assessment and estimated cost budget were far higher than what each project actually cost.

The board approved a revised SAD policy that would allow them to authorize a refund to property owners, including those in districts 425, 426 and 427.

SAD 425 started in the summer of 2023, with repairs and restoration completed in 2024, and was for the Kirkway area road repaving. The approved assessment at the time was $34,522.34 per full unit of benefit and $17,261.17 per half unit of benefit.

While the project was completed in 2024, the project accounting wasn’t finished until 2025. A large sum of the net savings for this project came from being nearly $514,000 under budget when it came to construction and engineering costs. Because of this – and other areas that came in below the assessment – the entire net savings for district 425 was $533,172.68. Residents of this district will receive $4,518.41 for each full unit of benefit and $2,259.20 for each half unit of benefit.

Circuit Court Judge Victoria Valentine who ruled on Thursday, February 26, that the owners of Better Burgers must put up new signage by Friday, February 27, and then by Monday, February 30, must add signage for Better Burgers in the same size as the original Hunter House sign. The judge also said that the company must remove deceptive or confusing social media postings that have said that “We Are Back.”

SAD refunds okayed by township board

By Dana Casadei

After a unanimous vote from the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, March 9, residents from special assessment districts (SAD) 425, 426 and 427 will be receiving a sizable refund in the mail soon.

Once a project is completed, the

Moving forward, the 2026 installment for a full unit of benefit will be $3,604.47 and fully covered by the refund, with $913.94 going towards the 2027 installment. The 2026 installment for a half unit of benefit will be fully covered by the $1,802.23 refund, and have $456.97 applied to the 2027 installment.

“These projects are very expensive so any time we can get that money back to residents, under budget, and making sure we do it right, but also saving money… this is a great thing,” said trustee Chris Kolinski.

The Village Blue area road repaving from the spring of 2024 –also known as district 426 – had an original approved assessment of $42,270.12 per unit of benefit, and a budget of $8,073,593.28. Thanks to considerably lower costs than expected in construction and legal fees the project ended up totaling $6,316,678.95 instead, leaving a difference of $1,713,464.38 for residents.

Those with fully paid assessments will receive $8,971.01 per unit of benefit. That refund will also fully cover the 2026 installment of

$4,509.63 and the 2027 installment of $4,379.50 with a little under $100 for the 2028 payment for residents who are continuing to pay annually.

While those refunds going to residents in districts 425 and 426 are considerable, those in district 427 will receive the biggest refund: $11,487.05 per unit of benefit.

In 2024, the original projected project costs for the Bloomfield Township red/pink area road repaving were $10,691,917.38 with an assessment of $48,161.79 per unit of benefit. The actual budget spent for district 427 was nearly $2.4 million under the original cost just in the construction category. When legal fees and a township administrative fee were added, the total difference between the original cost and actual was $2,550,125.12.

For those still making annual installments on this assessment, the 2026 installment of $5,138.19 and the 2027 installment of $4,989.92 will be covered by the refund, and $1,358.94 will be credited towards the 2028 installment.

“This is a great day,” Schostak said. “It was certainly controversial to get these passed but we as in the board promised that we were going to watch these projects like a hawk and make sure that the residents' money was spent wisely and not unnecessarily. We’re not profiting, we’re just returning the money to the residents.”

City won’t object to liquor license renewals

Birmingham City Commissioners on Monday, March 9, conducted a pubic hearing on two facilities in the city that hold liquor licenses and ultimately voted to not file objections with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission on renewing those licenses.

The hearing was the result of a February 9 meeting at which the commission reviewed some 40 plus establishments with liquor licenses in the city. At that meeting 220 Merrill and Slider/Slice/Shift were singled out for a special hearing due to reports from the police department that staff at these two establishments

were viewed as uncooperative when it came incidents requiring a police presence. Additionally, 220 Merrill had a $77,000 balance owned to the city.

Birmingham Police Captain Mike Simpson told commissioners that productive meetings were held with the owners of both establishments, updated contact information was gathered, and it appeared that owners and staff were prepared to move forward without communication problems from the past.

In the case of Slider/Slice/Shift, a resident living in one of the units directly above the establishment raised concerns about noise from music at the establishment but the owner offered to meet and work with the resident to determine what could be done to reduce noise complaints in the future.

The commission voted not to file objections to the liquor licenses at the two establishments.

Tamar Mediterranean replacing Zao Jun

Tamar Mediterranean, a restaurant offering a variety of food

from the Mediterranean region, will be opening to replace the Zao Jun restaurant that used to be in the Bloomfield Plaza Shopping Center at Maple and Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township after the township board of trustees gave unanimous approval to its plans on Monday, February 23.

The new restaurant, which will have 182 seats at 6608 Telegraph Road, is owned by Zia Battah.

The planned hours of operation will be Mondays – Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Any hours beyond 9 p.m. require approval by the township board.

Andrea Bibby, director of planning, building and ordinances for the township, told trustees that all departments and relevant township boards had no concerns for the new restaurant’s plans. The only remaining items to need approval, Bibby said, are the liquor license applications and outdoor sign review.

DOLLARS– LET US HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

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BUSINESS MATTERS

Everliv Health opens

Everliv Health is a functional medicine and longevity clinic offering personalized, root-cause care for weight loss, hormones, gut health, energy, and prevention. The practice is set to open in April at 300 E. Maple Road, Suite #340, Birmingham. Dr. Nora Toma is a boardcertified Emergency Medicine physician and the founder of Everliv Health. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, Toma blends traditional medical science with advanced functional, hormonal, and regenerative therapies to deliver personalized, care. Through Everliv Health, Dr. Toma helps patients take control of their biology, slow the aging process, and build lasting vitality. She focuses on root-cause evaluation, metabolic and hormonal optimization, and evidence-based strategies that support healing, restore balance, and help patients feel more energized, sharp, and resilient. Her mission is to elevate healthspan and empower every patient to live at their highest potential. Areas of specialization include hormones, weight management, autoimmune conditions, gut health, and more. Other members of the Everliv team include Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD,licensed psychologist, certified personal coach and attorney; and Dan Ellis, FMCA (Functional Medicine Trained Academy) health coach and former NHL hockey player.

The Village Pharmacy

With the recent expansion of Plum Market at 3675 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield Township, shoppers now have access to an added convenience: The Village Pharmacy at the Market. Led by pharmacist Dorothy Caramagno, the new location delivers comprehensive pharmacy services combined with the ease of one-stop shopping. The Village Pharmacy at the Market provides fast prescription transfers, immunizations and health

screenings, point-of-care testing, and a curated selection of retail products, including vitamins, supplements, oral care items and over-the-counter medications.

This marks the pharmacy’s second location in Bloomfield Township. Its original site at 3592 W. Maple Road offers specialized compounding services. Beyond Bloomfield, The Village Pharmacy also serves communities in Clinton Township, Royal Oak, Southfield, Beverly Hills, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Hazel Park. An additional location is planned to open this spring within Plum Market at 6565 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township.

Rug design winners

Winners of the annual Student Rug Design Competition at the College for Creative Studies (CCS), in collaboration with Hagopian World of Rugs, have been announced. Each year CCS invites students to participate in the competition to earn scholarships and add to their portfolio. The winning design is made into a rug and displayed at the annual student exhibition in May where an awards ceremony is held by Hagopian for students and staff. In February Hagopian family members, CCS staff, and local interior designers, Patrick Brewis, Creative Detroit Placemakers, and Michelle Mio, Rariden Schumacher Mio, met to choose the winning designs for the 37th annual competition. This year’s theme called for students to design an area rug inspired by HipHop architecture and the student entries were intriguing. Final selections were made and this year’s student winners are; First place – Makenzie Reed; second place – Jocelyn Picasso; third place – Abigail Snodgrass; and two honorable mentions –Emily Bautista and Shino Ohta. This competition represents the longest partnership on record with the school. Originally conceived by the late Edgar

Hagopian to mentor students and encourage interest in the textile arts, the competition continues under the direction of third generation owners Suzanne Hagopian, Edmond Hagopian and Angela Hagopian Snow and has become a much-anticipated annual event. The Hagopian family of companies (87 years in the metro-Detroit area) are longtime enthusiastic supporters of the cultural arts and community projects in metro Detroit.

Closing Time...

After a 20-year run in Birmingham, B. May Bags, located at 576 N. Old Woodward Avenue, has announced that it will close its doors at the end of March. B. May is owned by Barbara May, who grew up in Bloomfield Hills and attended Cranbrook Kingswood Schools. May’s flagship store is located in Petosky. With the closure of the Birmingham store, May has announced that they will open a shop in downtown Harbor Springs. Locally, customers can still find B. May Bags at Lori Karbal, 560 N Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Pearl, 74 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms; and Ayla& Co., 323 S Main St, Ann Arbor Customers can also shop B. May Bags online at bmaybags.com.

Primi Piatti Market at 550 N. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, owned by Monica Bisignano, has announced that it will be closing.

Also closing up shop in Birmingham is Radiant Made jewelry at 245 W. Maple Road. First opened in January of 2024, the store is owned by Krystal Zielinski Shiklanian.

Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Gigi Nichols. Send items for consideration to GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

THE RIGHT HOMES THE RIGHT REALTORS THE RIGHT PUBLICATION

More real estate than any other publication in all of Oakland County, and for a good reason.

Quality editorial content for a loyal readership that appreciates a strong news product, so your ad gets read.

Make sure your home is listed in the right place.

FACES

Kelly Siegel

Cyber attacks are happening at an alarming rate to businesses, with reports from the Michigan State Police indicating that already in 2026, Business Email Compromise (BEC) and ransomware activity are a significant cause of financial loss.

As a business owner and tech end user, Kelly Siegel was facing these potential hacks, attacks and ransom requests against his own IT company – and decided to do something about it.

“National Technology Management (NTM) evolved out of a need for my business and all other commercial businesses to be protected from the disabling damage these malicious acts can inflict on a company,” said CEO Siegel, a Bloomfield Hills resident. “Before getting a scholarship to Western Michigan University after high school, I lived in a rough side of town near Van Dyke and 8 Mile, went to school with Eminem, and had to fend for myself, so I really hate a bully. NTM services IT needs and provides cyber security aid against these bullies and we are very proud of the fact that we haven’t had one customer experience a cyber breach under our watch.”

Siegel calls NTM a cyber security firm “on steroids” because of its tech support, security aid, the recent addition of the ELEVATE program – a sales and marketing tool, and innovative AI tools, which is “the way of the future to boost productivity and protect company data, and more.”

Not satisfied “just being the IT guy,” the self-made businessman has always reached out to his community to be of service wherever he can. “I guess my own worthiness has always been tied to providing value to others, not only in business but with my self-help and charity work with organizations like Variety-The Children’s Charity and Face Addiction Now,” Siegel said.

Turning his own life around from earlier destructive behavior, working out and dedicated self-discipline have delivered him to a healthy life that Siegel now shares with others. With a top self-help podcast, Harder Than Life and a bestselling book by the same name, the 50-year-old coaches about the virtues of “working out like your life depends on it, breaking destructive cycles and rebuilding life with purpose”.

In both the book and the podcast, Siegel shares heartfelt stories from his traumatic childhood and the mindset shifts needed to move from chaos to success. Content includes topics like “Discipline Is the Path to Healing” and “Overcoming Poverty, Addiction and Violence.” “Since I’ve lived it all firsthand myself, I can use my vulnerability to show others what’s needed in their lives to go from survival to thriving, and that’s most important for me” he said.

Siegel’s follow-up book, Happier Than Life, is a roadmap the successful entrepreneur used to transition from feeling empty at the top, as he felt he was, to experiencing authentic joy, peace and a sustainable high performance level.

“It’s a method to address the disconnect between your external success and internal happiness by aligning your achievements with more meaningful fulfillment, and avoiding common mental, physical and spiritual burnout.”

As well as working out every day, the athletic Siegel loves spending time on his boat and “anything outdoors,” recently traveling to Costa Rica to visit the Blue Zones for inspiration. And I have to admit I like a good cigar and the best bar food at Churchill’s in Birmingham,” he said.

Sage advice Siegel has for both business leadership and personal relationships is to first work on yourself.

“Examine your priorities, address your wounded areas and take responsibility for yourself. If you keep promises to yourself you will keep them with everyone else, and that’s the foundation for all success.”

Story: Susan Peck

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What SuperAgers can teach us about aging well

Imagine taking a memory test and outscoring people thirty years younger than you. For "SuperAgers," that is not an anomaly, it's a measurable reality.

SuperAgers are individuals 80 and older whose memory and cognitive function test at the level of healthy adults in their 50s and 60s. The phenomenon of SuperAgers has been studied for more than a decade at Northwestern University's Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center. There scientists’ study what makes these individuals so different and what the rest of us might learn from them.

The brain scans of SuperAgers revealed a key memory region of the brain, one of the first areas to deteriorate in Alzheimer's disease, is significantly larger than average for their age. In fact, it more closely resembles the brains of people decades younger. Researchers have also found that this group have an unusually high number of special brain cells that are fast-signaling, thought to play a role in social awareness and emotional intelligence.

SuperAgers don't all follow the same diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle. But researchers have identified several common threads. They tend to have strong and meaningful social connections with deep friendships and community ties that provide regular emotional engagement. They also tend to embrace challenges rather than avoiding difficult mental tasks.

Many SuperAgers also describe having a sense of purpose; reasons to get up each morning and contribute. They are often found volunteering, mentoring, creating art, or staying active in their communities well into their 90’s.

Right here in our community, Next offers exactly the kind of environment that science links to healthier, more resilient brains.

At Next, social connections happen every day. People stop in the halls to talk, which turns into a cup of coffee and a 40-minute conversation. There are programs daily that stimulate and enlighten, like the impromptu lecture on the war in Iran from a leading international affairs expert. Much of the information was a bit difficult to follow, yet our capacity crowd, over 80 people, intently listened for an hour and a half and continued to ask questions long after the lecture was over.

Consider the yoga class where regulars have been coming for years and genuinely look forward to seeing each other. Or the writing group where members are putting their lives into words in spite of the vulnerability it takes to share past memories. Or the eclectic group of potters who come together every Thursday morning to create, inspire, teach and support one another.

Each one of these scenarios checks multiple boxes on the SuperAger list.

The good news is that SuperAgers aren't born that way. While genetics play a role, researchers believe that lifestyle choices made throughout life can influence whether someone's brain ages gracefully or not.

Next is a hub for the kinds of activities linked to SuperAger brains: social engagement, stimulating programs, purposeful activity, and genuine human connection. Every class attended, every new friendship formed, and every challenge embraced may be slowly building the foundation for super aging.

These aren't small things. According to the research, they may be exactly the things that matter most.

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 listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown.

Birmingham/Bloomfield

220: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220. 220restaurant.com

248.647.4555. churchillscigarbar.com

Cityscape Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. cityscapedeli.com

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

Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. dickodowspub.com

Eddie Merlot’s: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. eddiemerlots.com

5th Tavern: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. 5thtavern.com

Adachi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. Liquor. Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.540.5900. adachirestaurant.com

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. andiamoitalia.com

Beau’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630. beausbloomfield.com

Bella Piatti: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. bellapiattirestaurant.com

Bell Bistro: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Liquor. Reservations. 185 N. Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.829.7900. bellbirmingham.com

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355. beverlyhillsgrill.com

Beyond Juicery + Eatery: Contemporary. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 270 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009; 221 Cole Street, Birmingham, 48009; 3645 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301; 4065 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301; 1987 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. beyondjuiceryeatery.com

Big Rock Italian Chop House: Steakhouse. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 245 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.275.0888. bigrockitalianchophouse.com

Bill’s: American. Breakfast, weekends, Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000. billsbloomfieldhills.com

Birmingham Pub: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.885.8108. thebirminghampub.com

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. birminghamsushi.com

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 34244 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.bistrojoeskitchen.com

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

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. thebrooklynpizza.com

Café Dax: American. Breakfast, daily, Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.283.4200. daxtonhotel.com

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. cafeml.com

Café Origins: Global. Breakfast and Lunch, daily, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 163 W Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.742.4040. originsbirmingham.com

Casa Pernoi: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.940.0000. casapernoi.com

Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939. einsteinbros.com

Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. eliesgrill.com

EM: Mexican. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 470 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 947.234.0819. embirmingham.com

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday. Dinner, TuesdayFriday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. embersdeli1.com

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. flemingssteakhouse.com

Forest: Continental cuisine. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400. forestbirmingham.com

Greek Islands Coney Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. greekislandsconey.com

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Lunch, Thursday-Sunday, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Hazel’s: Seafood. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1 Peabody Street, Birmingham. 248.671.1714. eatathazels.com

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111. honeytreegrille.com

Hudson’s Place: Pizza/Coffee/Takeout. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1087 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield, 48302. 248.540.2266. hudsonsplacepizzeria.com

Hunter House Hamburgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33900 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121. hunterhousehamburgers.com Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369. hydeparkrestaurants.com

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

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner daily. Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609. joemuer.com

Kaku Sushi and Poke’: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday & Dinner daily. No reservations. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.885.8631. kakusushipoke.com

Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. kerbyskoneyisland.com

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

La Pecora Nera: Italian deli. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. 135 Pierce St. Birmingham, 48009. 248.940.5613. lapecoraneradetroit.com

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0492. lastradaitaliankitchen.com

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. leosconeyisland.com

Lincoln Yard and Little Yard: American. Little Yard take-out hours: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Lincoln Yard hours: Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2159 E. Lincoln Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.653.5353. eatlincolnyard.com

Little Daddy’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.647.3400. littledaddys.com

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6051. luxebarandgrill.com

Madam: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Friday-Sunday, Dinner daily. Reservations. Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.283.4200. daxtonhotel.com

Market North End: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953. marketnorthend.com

Marrow: American. Butcher shop and eatery. Breakfast and Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 283 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 734.410.0405

marrowdetroit.com/restaurant

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. mexbloomfield.com

Middle Eats: Mediterranean. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield, 48093. 248.274.328. middleeats.com

Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2079 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. nipponsushibar.com

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

Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775. oph-mi.com

Phoenicia: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, 48009. phoeniciabirmingham.com

Roadside B & G: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1727 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48302. 248.858.7270. roadsidebandg.com

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. salsbirmingham.com

Shift Kitchen & Cocktails: Small Plates. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.452.1355. shiftbirmingham.com

Sidecar: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380. sidecarsliderbar.com

Slice Pizza Kitchen: Pizza. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.3475. slicepizzakitchen.com

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. socialkitchenandbar.com

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Breakfast and Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. stevesdeli.com

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Thursday & Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. streetsideseafood.com

St Roger Abbey: Patisserie. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations. 215 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. sushihanabloomfield.com

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. sythaibirmingham.com

Sylvan Table: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1819 Inverness Street, Sylvan Lake, 48320. 248.369.3360. sylvantable.com

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. tallulahwine.com

Terra Kitchen & Cocktails: New American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.556.5640.dineterra.com

Teuta: Diner. Breakfast and Lunch, daily. No reservations.168 W Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.590.2113. teutabirmingham.com

Thai Street Kitchen: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867 thaistreetkitchen.com

The Franklin: Oyster Bar. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Road, Franklin, 48025. 248.771.4747. thefranklinmi.com

The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313. galleryrestaurant2.com

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

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. rugbygrille.com

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. eatattoast.com

Tomatoes Apizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner daily. Carryout. 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.0500. tomatoesapizza.com

Touch of India: Lunch, Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. thetouchofindia.com

Townhouse: American. Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241. eatattownhouse.com

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Liquor. No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.566.3566. whistlestopdiners.com

Wilder’s: American. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 458 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.771.0900. wildersbirmingham.com

ZANA: Modern American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.800.6568. zanabham.com

Zao Jun: Asian. Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.949.9999. zaojunnewasian.com

Royal Oak/Ferndale

Ale Mary’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 316 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917. alemarysbeer.com

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22651 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. anitaskitchen.com

Bella Limone: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 100 S. Main Street, Floor 2, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.955.5725. bellalimone.com

Beppé: New American. Lunch, Saturday and Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 703 N. Main St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.607.7030. eatbeppe.com

Bigalora: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.2442 bigalora.com

Blind Owl: International/American comfort. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. blindowlrestaurant.com

Blue Goat: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner,

Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 321 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248. 965.9955. bluegoatroyaloak.com

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. cafemuseroyaloak.com

Como’s: Pizza. Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.677.4439. comosrestaurant.com

Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria: Italian. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 28939 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072. 248.591.3300. crispellis.com

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale 48220. 248.399.5150. theflytrapferndale.com

Grand River Brewery: American. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson, 48017. 248.607-3631. grandriverbrewer

Gus’ Snug: Irish. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 38 S. Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248.607.3631. gussnug.com

HopCat: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 430 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.744.2544. HopCat.com

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. howesbayouferndale.net

Imperial: Mexican. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22848 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. imperialferndale.com

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500. inyorestaurant.com

JINYA Ramen Bar: Contemporary Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 129 S. Main St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.955.4692. jinyaramenbar.com

Kacha Thai Market: Thai. Lunch and Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. 205 S Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.942-4246.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. gokouzina.com

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 28028 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. lilysseafood.com

Masala: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 106 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.850.8284. food.orders.co/royaloakmasala

Mezcal: Mexican. Bruch, Sunday. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 201 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 248.268.3915. mezcalferndale.com

Noori Pocha: Korean. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 1 S. Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248. 850.7512. nooripocha.com

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. oakcitygrille.com

Oak Parker: American. Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 13621 W. Eleven Mile Rd, Oak Park, 48237. oakparker.com

One-Eyed Betty’s: American. Breakfast, weekends, Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy Street, Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633. oneeyedbettys.com

Pita Post: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations. 2520 W. 14 Mile Road, Royal Oak, 48073. 855.535.5588. thepitapost.com

Pop’s for Italian: Italian. Brunch & Lunch, weekends, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 280 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale,48220. 248.268.4806. popsforitalian.com

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300. redcoat-tavern.com

Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. roninsushi.com

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141. royaloakbrewery.com

The Modern Vegan: Vegan. Brunch, weekends, Lunch and Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 304 N. Main St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.206-7041. tmvrestaurants.com

Three Cats Café: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson. threecatscafe.com

Tigerlily: Japenese. Brunch, weekends. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 231 W Nine Mile Rd Suite A, Ferndale, 48220. 248.733.4905. tigerlilyferndale.com

Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. eatattoast.com

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. tomsoysterbar.com

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444. trattoriadaluigi.business.site.com

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7799 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072. 248.548.7711. vinsettagarage.com

Voyager: Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 600 Vester Street, Ferndale, 48220. 248.658.4999. voyagerferndale.com

Troy/Rochester

Antica Nova: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.422.6521. anticanova.com

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Road, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831. cafesushimi.com

Capital Grill: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. ckdiggs.com

The Dime Store: American. Breakfast and Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6920 N Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.248.963.0941. eatdimestore.com

Ernie’s on the Creek: Modern Mediterranean. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 543 N. Main St #201, Rochester, 48307. 248.710.8808. erniesonthecreek.com

Firebird Tavern: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4845 Rochester Road, Troy, 48085. 248.289.9650. firebirdtaverntroy.com

Grand Castor: Latin American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2950 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083. 248.278.7777. grancastor.com Hudson’s Café: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Reservations, Liquor. 700 W Big Beaver Road, Troy. 48084. 248.509.7695. hudson-cafe.com

The Jackson: Modern American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 184 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.709.9453. thejacksonrestaurant.com

Kona Grille: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. konagrill.com

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com

Loccino Italian Grill and Bar: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, 48098. 248.813.0700. loccino.com

The Meeting House: American. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. themeetinghouserochester.com

Mon Jin Lau: Nu Asian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. monjinlau.com

Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

METRO INTELLIGENCER

Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Gigi Nichols who can be reached at GigiNichols@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.

Rock Legends plans to open in Royal Oak

Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar, a national restaurant concept started by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS will be opening this spring at 208 West Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak. The three-story space promises an immersive rock & roll experience, like no other, amplified by classic food and drink for music lovers of all ages to enjoy. “We’re excited to bring a Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar to Detroit Rock City,” said Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in a joint statement. “We’ve all worked hard collaborating as a team to create Rock & Brews destinations we could be proud to share with the community, and that is without a doubt what we will do for our newest location in Royal Oak.” The new Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar, featuring three floors will include: a main dining room on level one; live concert stage and bar on level two; an open-air rooftop Sky Lounge with DJ and great views of the city on level three; over 30 TVs and a 16-foot state-of-the-art LED screen for an immersive viewing experience for sports and entertainment; and private dining rooms and meeting rooms. On the menu, guest will find scratch-made American classics, signature “rocktails,” local and craft beers on tap, plus weekend brunch. In addition to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, the Rock & Brews team includes CEO Adam Goldberg, entrepreneur, restaurateur, and hotelier Michael Zislis, who is behind some of Southern California’s most well-known establishments, such as The Strand House and Shade Hotels; as well as concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano. The team opened the first Rock & Brews near LAX Airport in Southern California in 2010 and since then, have expanded to over 20 locations in the U.S.

208 West Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak rockandbrews.com

Medusa Cucina Siciliana opened in Detroit

Chef Anthony Lombardo, the force behind Detroit’s acclaimed SheWolf Pastificio & Bar, has opened a new restaurant — Medusa Cucina Siciliana, located at 644 Selden Street in Detroit. Lombardo debuted SheWolf in the summer of 2018 and went on to earn recognition as a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in both 2019 and 2022. With Medusa, the celebrated chef turns his focus to the rich culinary traditions of Sicily. The new restaurant draws inspiration from the complex history of the Mediterranean island. As Medusa’s website explains, “Sicily has been part of Italy since 1861, but before that, the fierce island had many different rulers, all leaving behind their own culinary imprint. At Medusa, we honor this rich, complex heritage by bringing the dynamic flavors of Sicily to the heart of Detroit.” That layered history is evident throughout the menu. Sicily’s former rulers each introduced ingredients and techniques that continue to define the region’s cuisine. The Greeks brought grapes and wine, olive oil, honey, figs, pomegranates, wild herbs, chickpeas, and lentils. Under Roman rule came wheat and barley, bread baking, sheep and goat husbandry, cheese, garum (fish sauce), and dried fruits. Arab influence introduced oranges and lemons, couscous and rice, eggplant and prickly pear, pistachios and almonds, as well as cannoli. Later, the Norman rulers added timbales, meat and sausages, advances in fishing and aquaculture, butter and lard, and the use of capers and anchovies. At Medusa Cucina Siciliana, these influences come together in boldly flavored dishes. Starters include vibrant salads such as Finocchio e Arancia, featuring sliced navel orange, shaved fennel, green olives, radicchio agrodolce, red onion, and bottarga dressing. Entrées highlight Mediterranean seafood and rustic Sicilian preparations, including Branzino—a whole grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with salmoriglio, aglio olio emulsion, and lemon, and Agnello alla Agglassato an onion and Marsala-glazed lamb shank paired with olive oil–whipped potatoes and crispy onions.

644 Selden Street in Detroit medusa-detroit.com

CoCo’s Chop House to debut in Rochester Hills

A refined new dining destination is preparing to make its debut in Rochester Hills on May 5. CoCo’s Chop House promises an elevated steakhouse experience centered on meticulously dry-aged steaks and seafood—while pursuing an ambitious goal: becoming Michigan’s first zero-waste kitchen. Leading the vision is Dean Cicala, part owner, executive chef, and general

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. mortons.com

NATA Detroit Kitchen and Cocktails: American/Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, Liquor. 3946 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083. 248.247.7962.

NM Café: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. neimanmarcus.com/restaurants

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. oceaniainnrochesterhills.com

Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Highway, Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. ocean-prime.com

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. oconnorsrochester.com

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Road., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. orchid-cafe.com

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. pfchangs.com

Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390. recipesinc.com

RH House: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch and Dinner, daily. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. No reservations. Liquor. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.586.1000. rh.house.com

RH Social: Pizza/Sports Bar. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6870 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.248.759.4858. rochesterhillssocial.com

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. ruthschris.com

Sedona Taphouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 198 Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.422.6167. sedonataphouse.co

Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. silverspoonristorante.com

Stumblebum Beer Co.: American. Lunch, Friday-Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Beer. 1965 W. Maple Road, Troy, 48084. 248.307.7204. stumblebumbeer.com

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

West Bloomfield/Southfield

Aurora Italiana: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., 48322. 248.782.3000. auroraitaliana.com

Aurora on the Lake: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.360.6650. auroraitaliana.com

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Tuesday. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. cornbreadsoulfood.com

Bigalora: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. 248.544.2442. bigalora.com

The Fiddler: Russian. Dinner, Friday & Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. fiddlerrestaurant.com

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. menesususi.com

Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. nonamariasbistro.com

Pickles & Rye: Deli. Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890 picklesandryedeli.com

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. prime29steakhouse.com

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. redcoattavern.com

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. dinesangrila.com

Stage Deli: Deli. Lunch, & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. stagedeli.com

Vive: American. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33080 Northwestern Hwy, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.406.8065. viverestaurantmi.com

Witch Topokki: Korean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 300 John R Rd suite a, Troy, 48083. 248. 307.7587. witchtopokki.com

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282. yotsuba-restaurant.com

West Oakland

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771. ristorantevolare.com

North Oakland

Clarkston Union: American. Breakfast, Sunday, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346 248.620.6100. clarkstonunion.com

Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com

The Fed: American. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833. thefedcommunity.com

Rudy’s Steakhouse: Steak. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 9 S Main Street, Village of Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.3033. rudysprimesteakhouse.com Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.8500. joebologna.com

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Lunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660 unionwoodshop.com

Detroit

Adelina: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1040 Woodward Ave, Detroit,48226. 313.246.8811. adelinadetroit.com

Alpino: Alpine cuisine. Brunch, Sunday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Street, Detroit, 48216. 313.524.0888 alpinodetroit.com

Ash-Bar: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1509 Broadway Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.277.4736. ash.world/hotels/the-siren.com

Bar Pigalle: French. Brunch, Sundays. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 John R Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.497.9200 barpigalle.com

Barda: Argentinian. Dinner, WednesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4842 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, 48208. 313.952.5182. bardadetroit.com

Basan: Asian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2703 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.481.2703. basandetroit.com

Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, 48207. 313.965.3111. bucharestgrill.com

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails: Seasonal American. Lunch, Friday, Dinner, Dinner,

Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 15 E Kirby Street D, Detroit, 48202. 313.818.3915. chartreusekc.com

Cliff Bell’s: American. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. cliffbells.com

Coriander Kitchen and Farm: Farm to table. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch, Friday-Monday, Dinner, Friday, Saturday, Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 14601 Riverside Boulevard, Detroit, 48215. 313.338.9466. corianderkitchenandfarm.com

Corktown Taphouse: American and Mexican. No reservations. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. 1611 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.362.8184. corktowntaphouse.com

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. cuisinerestaurantdetroit.com

The Eagle: The Eagle: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 3461 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.334.4530. eaglerestaurant.com

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction Street, Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. elbarzonrestaurant.com

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. fishbonesusa.com

Freya: Price fixed. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations, Liquor. 2929 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202. 313.351.5544. freyadetroit.com

Full Measure Brewing Company: Brew pub. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer. 2700 Orleans Street, Detroit,48207. 313.818.3977. fullmeasurebrewing.com

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122. giovannisrestaurante.com

Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. greendotstables.com

HIROKI-SAN: Japanese. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1265 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, 48226. 313.597.8344. hirokisandetroit.com

Javier’s Downtown: Steakhouse. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1452 Brush Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.816.0007. javiersdowntown.com

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837. joemuer.com

Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort Street, Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. johnnynoodleking.com

Leila: Lebanese. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1245 Griswold Street, Detroit, 48226. 313. 816.8100. leiladetroit.com

Lena: Dinner, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 2720 Brush Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.262.6082. lenadetroit.com

Le Supreme: French. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1265 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226. 313.597.7734. lesupremedetroit.com

Lone Goat: British Pub. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 33 John R Street, Detroit, 48226. thelonegoat.com

Mad Nice: Coastal Italian/American. Breakfast, Coffee Shop, daily, Brunch, Weekends, Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4120 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.558.8000. madnicedetroit.com

Mario’s: Italian. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616. mariosdetroit.com

Mezcal: Mexican. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 51 W Forest Avenue, Detroit, 48202. 313.974.7441. mezcaldetroit.com

Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669. midtownshangril-la.com

Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700. motorcitybeer.com

Oak & Reel: Italian Seafood. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2921 E Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202. 313.270.9600. oakandreel.com

Ostrea: Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 536 Shelby Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.403.2111. ostreadetroit.com

Parc: New American. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.922.7272. parcdetroit.com

Prime + Proper: Steak House. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1145 Griswold St, Detroit, 48226. 313.636.3100. primeandproperdetroit.com

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, ThursdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.309.2499. greektowncasino.com

Selden Standard: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. seldenstandard.com

Sexy Steak: Steakhouse. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1942 Grand River Avenue, Detroit,48226. 313.403.1000. sexysteakdetroit.com

SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 438 Selden Street, Detroit 48201. 313.315.3992. shewolfdetroit.com

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St. Clair Street, Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. sindbads.com

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. slowsbarbq.com/locations/corktown

Soraya: Japanese. Lunch, Tuesday-Thursday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 160 W Fort St, Detroit, 48226. 313.262.6078. sorayadetroit.com

Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1128 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226. 313.591.2495. sullivanssteakhouse.com

Supergeil: Berlin Doner. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 2442 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.462.4133. supergeildetroit.com

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234. mgmgranddetroit.com

The Apparatus Room: New American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 W. Larned Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.800.5600 detroitfoundationhotel.com

The Block: American. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. theblockdet.com

The Dime Store: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 719 Griswold Street #180, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9106. eatdimestore.com

The Peterboro: Chinese American. Lunch, Saturday, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 420 Peterboro Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.462.8106. thepeterboro.com

Townhouse Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 500 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 48226. 313.723.1000. townhousedetroit.com

Vecino: Mexican. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4100 3rd Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.500.1615. vecinodetroit.com

Vertical Detroit: Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1538 Center Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.732.WINE. verticaldetroit.com

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market Street, Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. viviosdetroit.net

The Whitney: American. Tea Service, Friday & Saturday, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. thewhitney.com

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Avenue, Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711. wrightdetroit.com

Zuzu: Asian Fusion. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 511 Woodward Ave suite 100, Detroit, 48226. 313.464.7777. experiencezuzu.com

manager. He is joined by principal partner John DeAngelis; chef de cuisine Clifton Booth, formerly executive chef at Madam; and award-winning chef Jimmy Schmidt, former owner of Rattlesnake Club, who serves as a consultant on the project. The menu extends well beyond premium cuts of steak, veal, and pork. Guests can also expect specialty dry-aged seafood, house-made pastas, and thoughtfully crafted plant-based vegan dishes. Designed by David Savage, CoCo’s interior features soaring ceilings and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light. Oversized cylindrical pendant lights hang at varying heights, while a sculptural starburst chandelier adds a striking midcentury modern accent. Seating blends plush emerald-green velvet banquettes with tan upholstered chairs, all arranged around white marble-topped tables. In pursuit of its zero-waste mission, CoCo’s has partnered with Make Food Not Waste, an initiative led by professional chefs who transform excess food into nutritious, dignified meals for community members facing food insecurity. Any remaining food surplus that cannot be repurposed will be composted through My Green Michigan, reinforcing the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability. 6810 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills cocoschophouse.com

Percent Coffee’s Bloomfield Township location

Noor Hamed and Rami Mounajed are two best friends who had a dream to bring a community together through quality coffee and pastries. They successfully launched their first store, Percent Coffee, in Troy and now a second locationhas opened in Bloomfield Township at the southwest corner of Square Lake and Telegraph. The Bloomfield location includes additional partners Rimi Hirmiz and Andy Najim. The name “Percent Coffee” reflects their unique blend of arabica beans sourced globally and roasted locally, resulting in what they deem to be “the perfect cup.” A few of the signature coffee drinks on the menu include the Spanish Latte with sweetened condensed milk and espresso; the Café Mil with espresso layered with milk, natural honey and a touch of cinnamon; and the Pistachio Latte with a hint of roasted pistachios balanced with espresso. A list of traditional drinks such as Cold Brews, Cappuccinos and Americanos and Turkish coffees and exotic teas round out the beverage menu. The café makes all of its pastries daily including Honey Comb and Bagel Bites which are baked by Rami Mounajed’s mother.Heartier options include the Avocado Toast, featuring toasted sourdough bread topped with a drizzle of olive oil and feta cheese or the Egg and Cheese Croissant filled with creamy scramble eggs, melted cheese and spicy mayo.The interior of Percent Coffee is contemporary with high ceilings and exposed black ductwork that emphasize vertical space and give the shop an airy, warehouse-inspired aesthetic. The atmosphere appears well-suited to today’s hybrid customer: individuals working on laptops, small groups meeting, and casual coffee drinkers.

2510 S Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hillspercent-coffee.com

Food Truck launches brick and mortar

Detroit 75 Kitchen, named one of the Top 3 Food Trucks in the U.S. and a Top 100 Restaurant by US Weekly, has opened its first brick-and-mortar. Brothers Chef Mike and Ahmad Nassar launched the business from a food trailer at their family’s truck stop near the Ambassador Bridge, serving truck drivers and local workers. Lines soon stretched down Fort Street. After testing demand with a pop-up at the former Sears Auto Center near Oakland Mall, strong community response led them to establish a permanent home nearby at 32275 Stephenson Hwy in Madison Heights. The restaurant features a bright, retro-diner aesthetic with clean lines, terrazzo-style floors, and warm mid-century inspired finishes, including fun details like recycled Faygo pop bottles sealed into the tabletops. The walls showcase awards and artifacts from the brand’s journey—including memorabilia from Detroit’s NFL Draft and the PGA Rocket Mortgage Classic—alongside custom illustrations created by a local artist and photographs celebrating Detroit’s food culture. The menu celebrates Detroit with favorites such as Atwater Chicken-Smoked chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, sweet pickled jalapeños, garlic cilantro aioli on a freshly baked sesame roll; Detroit Style Cheesesteak-Ribeye, sirloin, provolone and Swiss cheeses, roasted mushrooms and peppers, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, sweet pickled jalapeños, aioli, house-made vinaigrette on a freshly baked sesame roll; and Fisher Fwy Fish- catfish, gulf Maine haddock, or Lake Erie walleye with lettuce, tomato, pickles, sweet pickled onions, and house-made Old Bay tartar sauce on a freshly baked soft roll.

32275 Stephenson Hwy, Madison Heights detroit75kitchen.com

Working as allies versus battling as enemies

The heinous terrorist act perpetrated recently on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and its 140 preschoolers, staff and clergy brought the international scourge of antisemitism frighteningly right into our backyards. Among the numerous blessings that came out of the day was that no one but the shooter was killed, by his own hand; law enforcement, led by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and West Bloomfield Police Chief Dale Young, performed stupendously after having practiced numerous drills for just such a possibility – including just six weeks before on the temple's grounds; homeowners in adjacent neighborhoods opening their doors and garages to toddlers and their caregivers, providing blankets and warm hearts; and most notably, Shenandoah Country Club, a Chaldean club located directly across Walnut Lake Road, not only provided shelter in an unimaginable storm, but treated every one escaping from the smoke, shooting and fear inside the temple as not only a treasured guest, but as family. America, founded as a haven for religious freedom, sadly has not always been one. While the Pilgrims may have escaped persecution in England to practice freely on our shores, we can look back to slavery of Africans and the racism which continues to this day against Blacks; bigotry against the tidal wave of Irish in the 1840s and 1850s, during the potato famine, when they were not considered “white,” as they were servants for the upper classes; Catholic Christians from Iraq,

known as Chaldeans, who were persecuted in Iraq for not being Muslim, emigrated in large part first to Wayne County, notably Dearborn, and then to Oakland and Macomb County. While there are two million Chaldeans worldwide, about a half million reside in the U.S. They have often been disparaged by multiple communities in Oakland County – by Arabs, who do not consider them Arab; by Jews, who Chaldean leaders readily admit they are trying to culturally emulate; and whites, who view them as another group of outsiders that is growing larger. Jews, while a small percentage of the population, have a history going back thousands of years of hate and persecution, being accused of killing Jesus Christ, of allegedly (and falsely) drinking the blood and flesh of Christ – when Jews are forbidden from eating any blood – to violent pogroms in Eastern Europe and Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the rise of antisemitism in Germany and Hitler's systematic effort to purge Europe of all Jewry in WWII. Let us remember that Jews were the first of white people to join civil rights groups in the 1960s with time, money, effort and, in some cases, their lives. That is another of the many reasons we are so impressed and gratified that the Chaldean community, working as a partner with Temple Israel, not only opened their doors as a sanctuary on March 12, when a disaffected man with weapons and a truck loaded with numerous incendiary devices drove around bollards and into the halls of the main entrance of the temple, attempting to kill and injure

small children, staff and clergy. Shenandoah management more than provided refuge – word is they offered chicken nuggets, candy, juice, games and coloring for their young guests. In other words, they were treated as family. May the same be done if the shoe is ever on the other foot.

With history as an all-important guide, we urge our political leaders to stop and take not only a breath in the dueling rhetoric, but to stop and listen to the threatening crisis of male disenfranchisement amongst Gen Z and millennials – most of whom research shows are wallowing in a social media morass. This was at least the third major incident – and one of two the same day – involving an angry male in the last three months. Both parties are dealing with a major rise in antisemitism – on the far right of the Republican Party, and in the progressive side of the Democratic Party, which is disturbing and will only serve to further drive away a majority of the mainstream. An even larger portion of radicalized white males are falling into the cliff of White Nationalism and finding their home in the Republican Party, which appears to be welcoming them. In December, the Manhattan Institute found 31 percent of Republicans under 50 identified their own views as racist, and 25 percent view themselves as antisemitic.

The political parties must address and rectify this emergency situation now, before it is too late for any reconciliation.

Voting system changes search for problems

We normally reserve our editorial position on ballot issues until just prior to an election but are weighing in now on a November ballot question that may likely be facing the Michigan electorate this year – the Americans for Citizen Voting amendment to the state Constitution.

To get this amendment on the ballot, backers of this proposal had to collect 446,198 signatures on petitions, which is 10 percent of the votes cast in the last election for governor. The petition drive netted some 750,000 signatures and the issue will now go before the Michigan Bureau of Election to verify signatures. If the petition signatures pass state review, this will become Proposal 2 on the November ballot.

Our opposition to this proposal is based on our concerns that this effort is akin to the effort in the U.S. House and Senate to pass legislation under cover of “cleaning up” alleged election problems but is really an effort to suppress voters here and across the nation.

Michigan voters have been very supportive of efforts to make ballot access easier for the electorate which is just the opposite of what would happen should this amendment pass in November. There have been very few instances where non-citizens have voted in this state and across the

nation. But the issue and similar attempts have become a central election plank for Republicans who still maintain – falsely, we might add – that the 2020 election and those that have followed have been rigged or error-ridden.

The proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution would require a statewide citizenship verification program, and would require specific documentation for those hoping to vote. Opponents of this effort say that photo identification would be required for absentee voting and the stringent timeline to remove voters from the rolls would disenfranchise thousands of voters. Critics also maintain that eight million voters in the state will now have to register again.

Frankly, no one is arguing against allowing voting by only citizens when it comes to elections. But such a requirement is already required in Michigan. As to the voter ID requirement, we already have to show identification to vote in person in this state.

This effort in Michigan mirrors in many respects the SAVE America Act that has been approved in the U.S. House and is now nearing debate in the U.S. Senate. The effort in Congress is being pushed by President Trump who has said he wants to eliminate voting by mail and, believe it or not, end the use of voting machines. The SAVE America Act

would apply to federal elections.

What’s moving through Congress would require that birth certificates or passports be used as verification of citizenship. The respected Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU Law School estimates that 21 million Americans lack ready access to these requires documents. Half of Americans, the center says, lack a passport and millions lack access to a paper copy of their birth certificates. Even if available, the center and other critics say women will face an added hurdle because their married names do not appear on a birth certificate.

Republicans in the U.S. House are now trying to introduce two added bills that will make voting even more difficult. And Trump is pushing for act amendments addressing transgender athletes and children.

We view both the Michigan and the federal efforts as solutions in search of a problem. Studies and audits of past elections simply show no major and only minuscule problems that would have changed the final outcome of any vote total. So we are inclined to believe that the true motivation on this efforts is to suppress the vote, no matter how the issues get dressed up by supporters.