Life + Culture

A Difference You Can See

From stylish frames to lifesaving exams, Normandy Optical brings life into focus Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Vision is a subject both familiar and complicated for me. I wore glasses beginning in first grade. But several decades ago, I had eye surgery designed to correct vision–and instead, it damaged my corneas. So I’m always vigilant about whom I trust with my eyes. That’s why the story I hear from Normandy Optical’s Vanessa Shumake resonates. “It’s this...

Life + Culture

Affordable DIY Health

Take your health into your own hands–and maybe save your life with routine, proactive health screenings Article by Jonathan Ashbury | Photography by Amy Gillespie One local executive is on a mission to make it easy for you to discover how healthy you really are. “It’s not easy to get a health screening today,” says Sherry Eckman, CEO, Midwest Diagnostic Imaging. “First, you have to get an order from your doctor. Then you wait months for an appointment and have to arrange child care or...

Fitness

Science Meets Spa

For healing beyond conventional medicine, DripIV’s nutrient-rich, customizable IV drips put you back on your game Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Deana Grove, the high-energy and welcoming manager of DripIV in West Bloomfield, puts me in a heated massage chair. It’s instantly clear to me that DripIV is a med-spa environment.  I’ve had IV drips myself locally, from a holistic doctor, and they worked, but the environment…well, let’s say I felt like an invalid. Sitting...

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...