Life + Culture

A Steakhouse In Its Prime

West Bloomfield’s only steakhouse for over a decade, Prime 29 shares its recipe for success Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Every restaurant's organizational philosophy differs when it comes to finding talent. Some places value education. Some value experience. And some, like Prime29, value dedication, passion and potential. Take Stoli Liti. He's chief operating partner of West Bloomfield’s now-legendary Prime29 Steakhouse. Stoli started in the restaurant industry as...

Shopping

Holiday Haute Coco

Discover pre-loved luxury in the heart of West Bloomfield with consigned designer handbags, shoes and accessories Article by Margaret Meyer Haight | Photography by Simran Bajwa What makes the perfect Christmas gift? Something that demonstrates exquisite taste, luxury and world class quality. I was delighted to find these attributes being expertly curated at Christina's Consignments inside Orchard Mall. Gorgeous displays of designer handbags, shoes and accessories in all price ranges, even...

Life + Culture

Giving back during the Giving Season

Everyone has something to give: Local nonprofits who need your year-end gifts Article by Jonathan Ashbury December, we all know, is about holidays, family gatherings and homemade cookies. It's also about giving back with year-end contributions. There are so many causes to consider. So many in our community who need assistance. Children with cancer. Women and men escaping abusive relationships. Individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Children in foster care. Seniors needing...

Professional Services

Living Through Giving

Craig Vanderburg – and Trion – find purpose in giving to clients and community Article by Jonathan Ashbury | Photography by Simran Bajwa If you're on a quest to find a greater purpose in life, you would be well served to use longtime West Bloomfield resident Craig Vanderburg as a role model. His deepest passions have been reserved for expressing gratitude and giving to Trion clients as a strategic leader, to his West Bloomfield community as a volunteer – and to his family. Craig is Chief...

Wellness

Grateful Patients, Confident Smiles

Patients share stories of exceptional care and personalized comfort at Adam Fienman, DDS Article by Margo Dzurko Finding a dentist you can trust is an important aspect of healthcare. It involves establishing a relationship with a professional who understands your individual needs and helps you feel comfortable during dental visits. In West Bloomfield and surrounding areas, many patients have found such a relationship with Dr. Adam Fienman. Edward Kowalczyk’s story is a testament to the...

Home Services

Grime Fighter

Admitted clean freak Cheryl Arafat's Home Clean Heroes keeps your place as immaculate as her own house Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie “I like everything tidy, back in place,” says Cheryl Arafat. Cheryl owns a premier cleaning company called Home Clean Heroes of Oakland County – which fits her to a ’T,’ because she’s an admitted clean freak. “Before I go to bed, my house has to have not a spoon in the sink. It needs to look ready for a visit from Jesus. Then I can...

Life + Culture

The Language of Belonging

Peaceful energy, patient teachers: West Bloomfield Adult Education's English Language Learners program gives students a sense of community while they learn English Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie It hit me the moment I walked into West Bloomfield Adult Education’s English Language Learner (ELL) building: the hush of peaceful energy. Dawn Hanford, the program’s coordinator, knows what I’m talking about. “It’s intentional,” Dawn says. “We help people from over 38...

Life + Culture

Big Plans for Small Businesses

Through Oakland Thrive, Stalt Financial gives emerging business owners transformational strategic plans – absolutely free Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Simran Bajwa Financial planners Cat Toone and Dan Zech wanted to give back to small businesses. They found their avenue in Oakland Thrive. “They’re a fantastic nonprofit,” says Cat. “If you’re an Oakland County emerging small business, they match you with consultants like us who give you free advice. Oakland Thrive pays us an...

Food + Beverage

Family, Frenzy and Flavor

Inside Nonna Maria's, West Bloomfield's version of Hulu's "The Bear" Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie For me, the binge-watch of 2024 was Hulu’s The Bear, an intense, sometimes verbally shocking and altogether mesmerizing portrait of running a family fine-dining restaurant. To find out how true-to-life The Bear really is, I sit down with John Gallagher of Nonna Maria’s. John, Maria’s grandson, tells me his uncle started Maria’s in the 1970s. “Pizza, pasta, fried...

Home + Design

Roofs & Truths

Patrick Stemmler's United Restoration specializes in quality roofing and remodels—and honest pricing from this disabled U.S. Marine Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie The day I interview Patrick Stemmler, the founder of United Restoration, he’s standing up to his insurance company over his damaged truck. “It's a mind game,” Patrick says. “The adjuster was trying to steer me to a TPA (third-party administrator). TPAs do the absolute minimum they can. I said, ’I’m not...