Life + Culture

Your Summer Staycation

Start Planning Your Summer of Fun with WB Parks Article by Abby Burgess, WB Parks Community Engagement Coordinator | Photography by WB Parks Looking for your next summer adventure? The fun starts right here with West Bloomfield Parks, offering a vast array of programs and events plus more than 600 acres of parkland. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, relax on the concert hill or just enjoy the beautiful weather, summer is one of the best times to explore the outdoors. Time spent in...

Travel

Postcards from Cindy

Welcome to Wilmington, North Carolina, Where Southern Charm Meets the Allure of the Coast Article and Photography by Cindy Stewart Sometimes the best vacation spots are a short journey from home. Wilmington, North Carolina is less than a two-hour flight from here, an historic coastal city on the Cape Fear River. Enjoy its riverwalk lined with more than 200 cafes, shops and bars, plus coastal charm and year-round appeal. This is a very walkable city. Do you love history? Tour beautiful...

Auto + Marine

The Art of Ferrari

Exploring the passion behind Michigan’s Ferrari legacy Article by R. Todd Haight | Photography by John Heck & Jackson Austin There’s a moment when the doors open inside Cauley Ferrari and people stop talking. Maybe it’s the unmistakable sound of a V12 engine echoing outside the showroom. Or the sight of a hand-finished Ferrari sitting under the lights like a sculpture. Or maybe it’s the realization that for so many people, this is the car they dreamed about long before they could ever afford...

Health + Wellness

Biohacking: Exploring Modern Wellness

Why more people are turning to advanced wellness therapies to feel their best Article by Todd Haight The cold plunge is no longer reserved for elite athletes. Red light therapy has migrated from wellness podcasts into suburban storefronts. IV drips, peptides and recovery studios now sit alongside Pilates classes and juice bars across West Bloomfield. What’s this all about? And what are we to make of it? The movement is often called “biohacking,” though local wellness experts say the goal is...

Wellness

You May Be Sleeping Wrong

Discover these "sleep coaches," who blend science and wellness principles to help you finally sleep better Article by R. Todd Haight | Photography by John Heck You may be sleeping wrong. Not “I stayed up too late binge-watching Netflix” wrong. More like your mattress, pillow and sleep position may quietly be working against your body every single night. That’s the eye-opening message behind Snooze Mattress Company, a boutique sleep store that approaches mattresses less like furniture and...

Life + Culture

Our Men of Influence

A closer look at three West Bloomfield men whose leadership and vision are leaving a lasting mark on business and community. Article by Todd Haight Shane Pliska President of Planterra Conservatory Planterra.com PlanteraEvents.com Why have you chosen to build your business and raise your family in West Bloomfield? What makes this community special to you? Our roots in West Bloomfield run deep. Planterra is a family business founded by my father in 1973, and in 1983, he relocated the...

Health + Wellness

Kirk Gibson’s New Team

Inside the Detroit Tigers legend’s fight against Parkinson’s and how he’s coaching others through it Article by Todd Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa I’m midstream in conversation with Kirk Gibson when the Detroit Tigers legend suddenly pauses. He’s spotted someone lining up a shot at the pool table on the far side of the room. Gibson offers a quick apology and steps away from the interview. “I need to go show Harry a thing or two,” he says. With that, Kirk is at the table, cue in hand...

Auto + Marine

Precision Meets Protection

Inside Clean Vision Tinting & Detailing, where craftsmanship defines every finish Article by Todd Haight | Photography by Darrel Ellis Ryan Lloyd was nine years old, sitting beside his dad, carefully piecing together model cars. It wasn’t just about the rote assembly. It was the detail, the way each piece fit just right. The sense of pride when the finished models displayed a perfect shine. Even then, he thought, “I’d like to do something like this when I grow up.” Ryan is amazed how...

Arts + Culture

Grit and Grace

In her own words, local entrepreneur shares how giving back is simply good business Article by Cheryl Arafat Philanthropy isn’t separate from business for me, it’s a natural extension of it. Cleaning homes is really about caring for people, so giving back has always been easy. We look for ways to support those who serve others or are facing difficult times. We love participating in Cleaning for a Reason, where individuals undergoing cancer treatment can receive two months of free home...

Style + Beauty

Luxury, On Her Terms

Building her empire with intention and grace, leading boldly and creating a lasting legacy Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Darrel Ellis A look behind the seams with local high fashion expert Madonna Arabo. WEST BLOOMFIELD CITY LIFESTYLE: Every luxury brand begins with a point of view. What first drew you to the world of fashion, ultimately inspiring the creation of your business, Scarlett’s Leather and Furs? Madonna Arabo: Growing up, fashion was part of who we were...